How Georgia’s Black Sea Gem is Redefining Coastal Flair

Words Vidula KotianDate 17 July 2024

Tbilisi is celebrated for its vibrant creative energy, yet Batumi, tucked in Georgia’s southwestern Adjaria region, is swiftly becoming a top European holiday destination. Dubbed the “Las Vegas of the Caucasus,” this subtropical city merges lush greenery with striking architecture to attract an international crowd.

Indeed, the appeal reached new heights in September 2023 when the Rooms Holding—the visionaries behind Rooms Tbilisi, Rooms Kazbegi, and Rooms Kokhta—once again used their Midas touch to create the new Rooms Batumi.

What sets this 120-room hotel apart is the ingenious use of its urban setting. Occupying an entire plot, the building harnesses the sunny Black Sea climate to cultivate a lush inner courtyard ripe with vegetation—an oasis within an oasis. 

Rooms Holding’s in-house development team, Collective Development, along with its long-term partner, Rooms Studio, set out to transform a Soviet-era building into the city’s latest social hub while preserving its architecture. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of cultures that have enlivened this bustling port city, the studio has infused Rooms Batumi with a fresh coastal vibe, accented with a funky 1970s flair. Think warm wood clad walls and ceilings, bold print curtains, tactile bouclé sofas, leather-clad bed frames, and sumptuous circular beds.

Layers of wood paneling in the Lobby set the stage for a central wooden bar, complete with a plush green velvet sofa, offering signature cocktails and tasty snacks. The Rubber Duck Restaurant, featuring classic diner elements, has salmon pink stools and cozy booths. Here, comfort food inspired by Georgian and global cuisines comes to life with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Since May, the rooftop restaurant, Kitchen, has been spotlighting local seafood and vegetarian dishes, all sourced from nearby producers.

Batumi dazzles with its rich architectural tapestry—from Art Nouveau treasures nestled among Ottoman and Soviet relics in the Old Town to cutting-edge skyscrapers along the seaside promenade. Adding to its allure are lush, century-old botanical gardens perched atop seaside cliffs. As its culinary scene begins to capture international acclaim, Batumi’s rise to prominence is further celebrated with the addition of the new Rooms Batumi, highlighting its well-earned place in the spotlight.