The well-known Chateau Mere hotel, located in the village of Vardisubani in Telavi Municipality, Kakheti, remains up for sale. Businessman Gia Pidashvili, founder of the boutique hotel, confirmed during an interview on BMGTV that he has not changed his decision to sell the property, citing ongoing instability in Georgia’s tourism sector as the key reason.
“Yes, I’m still selling Chateau Mere,” Pidashvili stated. “But I’m not actively pursuing the sale, because in today’s climate, it’s almost unthinkable to find a buyer, even at a reduced price.”
Chateau Mere, known for its blend of traditional Kakhetian architecture and modern hospitality, was originally put on the market in March 2024. At the time, company representatives said the total investment value of the property was around USD 6 million.
Pidashvili pointed to ongoing political uncertainty and lack of strategic coordination between the government and the opposition as major contributors to the decline in international tourist arrivals.
“There’s no unity from either side, neither the opposition nor the government,” he said. “Everyone is just gesturing vaguely, and that’s damaging both the economy and the tourism sector.”
Although the tourism situation has slightly improved since the beginning of the year, Pidashvili noted that the recovery is largely driven by domestic tourism, with international travelers still noticeably absent.
“There are no tourists in sight, none of the visitors we used to see from countries like the UK, Germany, Austria, France, or even Russia,” he said. “The atmosphere in the country is driving them away.”
Chateau Mere’s continued presence on the market reflects broader concerns within Georgia’s hospitality industry. Despite its reputation as a destination for wine tourism and its appeal to international guests, the property remains unsold, caught in a challenging moment for the country’s tourism and political environment.
Whether a turnaround in travel demand or political stabilization will bring new opportunities remains uncertain. For now, as Pidashvili emphasized, the future of Chateau Mere depends not only on market interest but on Georgia’s ability to restore its international image as a safe and welcoming destination.
