A century-old Hotel London in Tbilisi

We will never be able to see the past centuries, but we have the opportunity to visit the places that can give us an idea of the times we never lived. A century-old Hotel London in Tbilisi, near the Dry Bridge, was one of the most famous hotels in the 19th century. You may ask why our visitors are still interested to see this building in Tbilisi. The most interesting thing about this place is its entrance hall and the stairs. So, let me tell you its history that might attract you, especially if you love art and architecture. 

Former Hotel London, Tbilisi

31 Atoneli St, T'bilisi, Georgia

History

The architect Siemens, with the financial aid of Zubalashvili family, built Hotel London in 1875. Later on, the owner of the hotel became the family of Richters. Many famous guests including the Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun, Russian composer Tchaikovsky and dozens of other well-known people have stayed in this hotel. Knut Hamsun traveled to Georgia in 1899 with his wife. He wrote about the Hotel London in his book - “Travel to the fairy tale”.

Hotel London was also the first building where the electricity was installed. All the guests loved the hostess Ekaterine Carl, who was the daughter of Richter. It is said that she was creating a friendly environment in the hotel, and that is why all the guests were leaving this place with unforgettable memories. The hotel rooms were always full because of its distinctive interior and high-quality service. All the staff could speak different foreign languages. Guests also loved the restaurant of the hotel, where they could enjoy a variety of Georgian and European dishes. 

Hotel London in the past and now

The most attractive part of the hotel was its entrance hall and the stairs. All the stairs were made from the luxury Italian marble. The stair railing was made in Germany, and there was a huge chandelier in the center of the main hall. Guests also loved to play the white piano, that was located in the hotel and reading the foreigner journals that were placed on a special table. 

Nowadays, the building still exists near the Dry Bridge, but the interior is poorly maintained. This place is now part of a residential area. However, tourists can still visit the place where Hotel London was functioning. You can see the main hall and stairs that are still very attractive. 

While wandering around Tbilisi, check the remains of Hotel London that is already a century old. If you love history and architecture, this is one of the best places worth visiting. You can imagine the past centuries when this place was full of life and beauty inside of it. Inhabitants are happy to see that tourists want to visit this place. So, be sure that the front door that is always open will drag you into another world.