Tbilisi's BEST City Center Apartment: Citadines City Centre Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review that's less "polished brochure" and more "honest confession." I've got a lot to say, and I'm not afraid to say it, even if it means rambling a bit. Think of this as therapy, but for hotels. Let's go!
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Alright, let’s get messy. Let's talk about this place. They call it [Hotel Name]. I stayed there for… well, let's just say a few days. Don't judge.
Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and the "Wait, What?"
First things first: Accessibility. This is crucial, as I – cough, cough – sometimes need a gentle push. Or a push, period. The website boasted, and I quote, "Facilities for disabled guests". Okay, great. Wheelchair accessible access was promised. True. The main entrance had a ramp (yay!), and the elevators were thankfully wide enough for my, ahem, “equipment”… (I'm trying to be nice). They also had Facilities for disabled guests. Now, that is good. But…
Here’s where it got a little…clunky. Navigating to the pool felt like an Olympic sport. The signage was…well, let’s just say my GPS often got the better of me. Seriously, I think I ended up in the kitchen at one point. And while the lifts were spacious, a few of the hallways felt a bit on the narrow side if you were trying to do a three-point turn with a wheelchair.
So, it’s a mixed bag. Not terrible, but definitely not perfect. Improvement needed – absolutely.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Hmm, that’s a bit vague, right? Well, the main dining area was definitely accessible, and the pool bar had a ramp. The issue? Sometimes the staff seemed a little… lost. Like they weren’t quite sure how to accommodate someone needing extra assistance. I got the feeling I was a novelty, not a regular guest.
Internet: The Digital Lifeblood
Internet access was… well, it existed. Thank goodness. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! That’s a win. And the signal? Actually decent. I was able to stream a few movies without too much buffering. Internet [LAN] was also available, which, to be honest, is something I'm not sure I even knew I needed until I saw it listed. So, kudos, I guess? The Internet services were pretty standard: email, social media, you know, the usual. No complaints here, apart from the one time it went down right as I was about to close a HUGE deal…
Wi-Fi in public areas was also reliable, which was great for those moments when I needed to escape the confines of my room and do some work.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Spa & Beyond!
Okay, now we're talking my language. Things to do? They had plenty, even if some were a little…fluffier than others. Let's start with the ways to relax.
The Spa…oh, the spa! This is where things get interesting. They went all out with the amenities: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, and a Steamroom. I sampled everything, and I'm not ashamed to say I loved every minute of it!
Now, the Pool with view? Magnificent. Seriously, the view was breathtaking. The Swimming pool itself was lovely (the water was a little chilly, I'll admit), and they also had an Swimming pool [outdoor], with the same stunning vista.
Fitness center, or Gym/fitness as they call it, was adequate, but the view from the treadmill wasn’t as nice as the pool. Which, you know, makes sense…
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid-Era Dance
Let's get real, the world is a mess. So, how did this place handle the whole Cleanliness and safety thing? Not bad, not bad at all. They did a Anti-viral cleaning products, and Daily disinfection in common areas. Good. Solid.
Rooms sanitized between stays. Nice to know. Room sanitization opt-out available. I didn’t know that was a thing.
Individually-wrapped food options were everywhere. Safe dining setup. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. Staff trained in safety protocol. All signs that they were trying.
Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, they tried. Did people ALWAYS follow the rules? Nope. But, hey, they tried.
Cashless payment service. Yup. Great. No fumbling with dirty bills.
Here's a little story. One morning, I was waiting in line for breakfast, (I'll get to the food later) and I saw a staff member wipe down a high chair with such meticulous care, it was almost a performance art piece. It was impressive. But I also saw someone coughing into their hand, and the next thing I knew, they were grabbing a croissant… I'm not saying it was perfect, but the effort was there.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Gastronomic Gauntlet
Okay, let's talk about food. My stomach is growling just thinking about it. They had it all. The Restaurants were plentiful, offering A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant.
Breakfast [buffet] - and yes, it was included. The Breakfast service was good, with options of Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. Coffee/tea in restaurant. Yes!
The Bar was lively. I sampled a few Happy hour cocktails. The Poolside bar was great. Bottle of water provided. And a Snack bar if you needed a quick bite.
Room service [24-hour] - a godsend. Seriously, sometimes you just want to stay in your pajamas and order fries at 3 am. And they also give you Breakfast in room - which is even better!
The food itself? Mostly good. Some dishes were outstanding. The desserts in restaurant were dangerously good. They also had a Salad in restaurant if you were pretending to be healthy. The Soup in restaurant was a welcome surprise on a chilly evening.
Alternative meal arrangement available. Because the world needs it. Buffet in restaurant… well to be fair it was a very good buffet..
Here's the rant: One night, I wanted to try a specific restaurant, but I was told I couldn't get a table for another hour. AN HOUR! I ended up ordering room service (again) because the idea of waiting that long filled me with dread. That annoyed me. A lot.
Services and Conveniences: The Extras That Make a Difference
They had almost everything you could think of. And some things you wouldn’t:
Air conditioning in public area. Yup. Audio-visual equipment for special events. Okay. Business facilities. Good. Cash withdrawal. Thank goodness. Concierge. Helpful. Contactless check-in/out. A dream. Convenience store. Yes. Currency exchange. Okay. Daily housekeeping. Essential. Doorman. Proper. Dry cleaning. Brilliant. Elevator. Crucial. Essential condiments. I’m assuming those were available. Facilities for disabled guests. As we discussed. Food delivery. Yes. Gift/souvenir shop. Meh. Indoor venue for special events. Okay. Invoice provided. Yep. Ironing service. Useful. Laundry service. Thank God. Luggage storage. Perfect. Meeting/banquet facilities. Okay. Meetings. Good. Meeting stationery. Fine. On-site event hosting. Yup. Outdoor venue for special events. Nice. Projector/LED display. Gotcha. Safety deposit boxes. Smart. Seminars. Well, they probably have them. Shrine. A surprise. Smoking area. Yup. Terrace. Beautiful. Wi-Fi for special events. Good. Xerox/fax in business center. Still a thing?
Here's a quick story: When I was checking in, they gave me a welcome drink. I asked for a non-alcoholic version, and the bartender gave me this elaborate, fruity concoction that was probably more complex than my tax return. I loved it! Small touches like that make a big difference.
For the Kids: The Parent-Approved Zone
Babysitting service. Okay. Family/child friendly. Probably. Kids facilities. Not sure. Kids meal. They probably do.
**Access:
Escape to Paradise: Days Inn Atmore Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary! This is a Citadines City Centre Tbilisi adventure, marinated in my own brand of chaos and questionable decision-making. Prepare for a whirlwind of Georgian charm, dubious Google Maps directions, and enough khinkali to make you question your life choices.
Citadines City Centre Tbilisi: A Messy, Glorious Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the Awkward Elevator Gambit
(12:00 PM): Touchdown at Tbilisi International Airport. Okay, first hurdle: customs. Pray I don't accidentally bring a suitcase full of illegal, uh… stuff. (Just kidding… mostly). Whew, passed! Now, the real battle: finding the right bus/taxi/unicorn (I'm open to options).
- Emotional Hit: The frantic feeling of land after a long flight, the sheer exhaustion sets in.
(1:30 PM): Arrive at Citadines City Centre. The apartment is… well, it's a place! The elevator, however, is a character in itself. It's like riding in a sardine can designed by a grumpy engineer.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, you have to hold your breath and whisper a small prayer just to reach your floor without it stalling.
(2:00 PM): Unpack. Briefly. Mostly just dumping my stuff in a corner. Prioritizing food over order. The unpacking is always a disaster, right?
(2:30 PM): Walking around, trying to get oriented. Tbilisi's a maze of cobblestone streets. My internal GPS is basically a dial-up modem these days.
(3:30 PM): Found a little supra -style lunch spot near the hotel. I ordered a khachapuri (cheese bread) and was immediately smitten. The cheese! The bread! The glorious, greasy mess! It was pure, unadulterated, cheesy heaven.
- Emotional Hit: Happiness achieved!
(5:00 PM): Wandering through the Old Town -- that's how Tbilisi charms you, I tell ya. Getting lost on purpose, which is a pretty good method to find nice places. Then, back to the apartment for a short nap (needed after the cheese-induced coma).
- Imperfection: Napping schedule is totally out of whack. Jet lag is kicking my butt.
(7:00 PM): Dinner at a traditional Georgian restaurant. More cheese, more wine, more toasts that I don't quite understand (but I'm happily nodding along). They just kept pouring wine. I think I may have accidentally promised to learn Georgian. Oops.
Day 2: Sulphur Baths and a Questionable Taxi Ride
- (9:00 AM): Breakfast. Coffee is strong, like a Georgian grandmother’s hug. Delicious starts.
- (10:00 AM): The iconic Sulphur Baths. Okay, this is where things went…interesting. I booked a private room. The water felt… sulphuric (duh!). The guy scrubbing me down was intense. I didn't know there were that many muscles. It was less "relaxing spa day" and more "thorough exfoliation by a well-meaning but slightly terrifying stranger."
- Messy Structure: I'm still trying to process the whole experience. Let's just say I left feeling cleaner, but also like I'd been through a woodchipper.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Initially, a bit mortified; now, find it hilarious.
- (12:00 PM): Post-bath, a quick lunch of lobio (bean stew) and a walk to the Narikala Fortress. The views are stunning.
- Quirky Observation: I swear, every other building in Tbilisi seems to have a balcony overflowing with flowers. So pretty.
- (2:00 PM): The Teleferic, The cable car is a real treat. I am sure to take a picture.
- (4:00 PM): The return cab to Citadines. I'm pretty sure the driver was playing chicken with every other vehicle on the road. Google Maps showed a 10-minute trip. It took 20 minutes with white knuckles.
- Imperfection: Almost had a full-blown panic attack. Would not recommend this cab service.
- Opinionated Language: That taxi driver was a menace!
- (6:00 PM): A slow walk back to my apartment, stopping for some Ice cream. Life-giving.
- (7:00 PM): In-apartment drinks. I found some local chacha (grape brandy). It's… potent. I can see why Georgians are such good singers. They have to shout over the chacha!
Day 3: The Holy Trinity and a Farewell Feast
- (9:00 AM): A proper breakfast today! Fresh fruit, bread, and the strongest coffee I can find.
- (10:00 AM): Visiting the Holy Trinity Cathedral. It's huge! The architecture is fantastic, especially the light.
- Emotional Hit: A sense of peace and awe washes over me.
- (12:00 PM): Walking the park, a little relaxing.
- (1:00 PM): Seeking the best view in the city. This time, I wanted to see it all. Amazing views abound.
- (3:00 PM): Trying to learn a few phrases in Georgian. "Gamarjoba" (hello) comes naturally. "Madloba" (thank you) is a bit trickier. The rest? Utterly beyond me.
- Messy Structure: Realizing how language barriers can be a barrier to interaction.
- (7:00 PM): A grand farewell supra. More food, more wine, and more toasts! This includes traditional dancing (my attempt at which was probably more hilarious than graceful).
- Doubling Down: This is when I really fell in love with Georgian hospitality. The generosity, the warmth, the sheer joy of sharing food and laughter.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy!
- Rambling: I might have overdone it on the wine (again). I remember singing, and I remember a lot of laughter, and I have the feeling I made some truly amazing friends.
Day 4: Departure and Post-Georgian Blues
(9:00 AM): Trying to pack my suitcase. Seems impossible to do.
(10:00 AM): Checking out of the apartment. Saying goodbye to that ridiculous elevator.
(12:00 PM): Head to the airport. Another prayer for the elevator and customs.
(2:00 PM): Flight back home.
- Emotional Hit: The sudden post-Georgian blues. Already missing the food, the people, the chaos.
(Forever): Planning my return! Until then, I'll be daydreaming of khachapuri and the slightly terrifying, but ultimately wonderful, Georgian hospitality.
- Conclusion: Tbilisi, you beautiful, messy, unforgettable beast. I'll be back!
