Envoy Hostel

Envoy Hostel is a renovated hostel at 45 Betlemi Street in the Old Town of Tbilisi, with a terrace overlooking the city and reception staff who speak good English. Betlemi Street climbs the hillside below Narikala Fortress, and the hostel sits within a short walk of Sololaki, the Narikala cable car, the sulphur baths and the Old Town's restaurant streets. Freedom Square metro station is the nearest major transit hub and can be reached on foot in a few minutes, though the streets are steep and cobbled in places. The atmosphere is social and informal, popular with solo backpackers and budget travellers who want a central base and a place to meet other visitors. The hostel offers dormitory beds and private rooms, with prices generally from about GEL 26 to GEL 118 per night, or roughly $10 to $45, which places it among the cheapest central options in the capital of Georgia. Amenities include the terrace with a city view, a shared kitchen, breakfast and wifi. The terrace is the social heart of the property and is a pleasant spot for an evening drink or a morning coffee, with views over the rooftops of the old quarter. There is no restaurant, spa or pool, and the shared kitchen lets guests prepare simple meals, while the many inexpensive Georgian restaurants and bakeries nearby offer khachapuri, khinkali and local wine at modest prices. Service is friendly and practical, with reception able to help with city maps, day trips to Mtskheta, Kazbegi and Kakheti, and onward transport such as marshrutka minibuses. The hostel suits solo travellers, couples on a tight budget and groups of friends who prefer a central location over amenities. Because the building is on a hillside street, visitors with heavy luggage may want to take a taxi to the door.