Rotana Enters Ski Resort Business With Signing of Gudauri Resort in Georgia

Rotana Hotels has announced its first foray into ski resort hospitality with the signing of Gudauri Ski Resort, marking a new category of property for the group's global portfolio.

The agreement was formalized at an official ceremony in Tbilisi on May 22, bringing together senior leadership from Rotana, development partner Pontus, and NOA, the Italian architecture firm known for its work in mountain hospitality. The event also served as the public debut of NOA's design concept for the property, alongside Georgian and international media.

The resort will be built in Gudauri, one of the most established ski destinations in the Greater Caucasus mountain range, with ski-in, ski-out access directly to the local lift station. The project consists of two separate properties totaling roughly 400 rooms, connected by a shared wellness facility. Plans call for multiple dining venues, spa and wellness amenities including bio and panoramic saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, a cigar lounge, six meeting rooms, ski rental and retail space, and extensive family and children's programming, with the resort positioned as a year-round destination rather than a purely seasonal one.

Gudauri sits about 120 kilometers from Tbilisi International Airport, which offers direct connections from the UAE, Europe and the broader Middle East.

Architecturally, the resort draws its identity from the mandili, the traditional Georgian headscarf, with its flowing shape reinterpreted in the property's rooflines and overall design language. The concept was led by NOA architect Lukas Rungger, with the aim of grounding the resort in Georgian cultural heritage while blending in contemporary design elements.

The Gudauri project builds on Rotana's existing partnership with Pontus, which dates back three years to the signing of Pontus Rotana Resort & Spa in Gonio on Georgia's Black Sea coast, a property expected to open in 2027. Gudauri represents the second development to come out of that partnership.

The signing comes as Georgia's tourism sector continues to expand, with the country recording more than 7 million international visitors in 2025. Industry momentum has increasingly favored premium, year-round destinations, and Rotana is positioning Gudauri to capture rising interest from travelers in the Gulf region, Europe and neighboring markets.

The project reflects Rotana's broader push into new and emerging markets as the group continues to grow its international footprint.