In 1988, when Gudauri was still a blank spot on the world’s tourism map, a new structure rose among the peaks of the Caucasus — one that would soon become the emblem of a new mountain resort. The Marco Polo Hotel was the first major development in Gudauri — the place where the resort’s very first ski trail, ski lift, and tourism infrastructure took shape, and which remains a defining symbol of the region to this day.
At the time, building a project of such scale — and in cooperation with a foreign company — seemed nearly impossible within the Soviet system. And yet, thanks to the determination of Georgian visionaries, an Austrian investor, and an international consortium, a new hotel was born in Gudauri. More than just a hotel, Marco Polo became the birthplace of world-class alpine tourism in Georgia — and even hinted at the country’s future as a European-facing destination.
A European Project Inside the Soviet Union
The Marco Polo Hotel was unique in its origins. It was one of the first cases in which the Soviet Union granted a foreign company the right to construct and manage a tourism facility on its territory. The contract with an Austrian firm was signed in 1985, and construction began that same year — even before the snow had melted. The project was scheduled to be completed in just 18 months.
By spring 1988, Marco Polo officially opened its doors — a collaborative product of European design, Austrian engineering, and Georgian terrain. It stood not just as a hotel, but as a symbol of what international cooperation could achieve, even within a closed system.
A Center for Life in the Mountains
“After Marco Polo was built, it became the center of Gudauri — people came here not only from other regions of Georgia, but also from abroad. In many ways, skiing began here. And today, when people think of skiing, they think of Gudauri.”
(Marketer.ge, 2023)
From the very beginning, Marco Polo became more than a hotel. It served as the hub of life in the newly emerging ski resort — for locals and visitors alike. As Eliso Khabeishvili, daughter of one of the project’s key visionaries, Soliko Khabeishvili, recalls:
During the difficult 1990s — amid civil war and political turmoil — Marco Polo continued to operate. Helicopters brought heli-skiing enthusiasts from Europe; the hotel ran on its own resources and remained one of the few functioning institutions in the region. It was during this period that Gudauri began to establish itself as one of the premier destinations for heli-skiing in the Caucasus.
Continuous Evolution
In 2023, Marco Polo celebrated its 35th anniversary — not just as a date, but as a testament to resilience. A hotel that emerged during the final years of the Soviet Union has not only survived, but continues to thrive in today’s dynamic tourism landscape.
Over the decades, the hotel has undergone several transformation phases. The lobby, rooms, and restaurant have all been renovated. Three standalone chalets — “Sno” — were added, inspired by traditional mountain architecture and offering modern comforts. The hotel’s restaurant, “Soliko’s,” blends local highland cuisine with European flavors. Marco Polo also boasts the region’s only bowling center and curates four-season experiences — from skiing and heli-skiing to hiking, yoga, quad tours, and spa relaxation.
Today, Marco Polo is more than a hotel. It is the backbone of the Gudauri resort — a place where infrastructure converges, where movement begins, and where mountain memories are made beneath the snow. Whether you’re seeking adventure or serenity, Marco Polo offers a space for every guest — a coordinate etched into the living landscape of the Georgian highlands.
A Landmark of the Landmarker Group
Marco Polo is now part of the Landmarker Group portfolio — and stands as a prime example of the group’s commitment to preserving legacy while driving innovation. Landmarker not only safeguards the hotel’s historical significance but actively revitalizes it with modern standards, refreshed visual identity, and a renewed guest experience.
This fusion of heritage and vision allows Marco Polo to remain the beating heart of Gudauri — a platform where Landmarker Group’s values of authenticity, progress, and hospitality are transformed into everyday experience.
