One of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, Carlson Rezidor, is expanding its hotel presence in Georgia by opening the first five-star hotel in the country's winter resort of Gudauri. In partnership with local Real Estate Development Company (Red-Co), Carlson Rezidor will open the Radisson Blu Gudauri hotel in 2018, simultaneously developing the winter resort and making it more attractive for potential tourists. Red-Co and Carlson Rezidor signed a cooperation agreement in February of 2016, which called for a $15 million investment from Red-Co to open a 105-room hotel featuring a restaurant, spa and swimming pools. 

This week the Vice President of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group David Jenkins arrived in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi to observe the Radisson Blu Gudauri development process. While in Tbilisi Jenkins met Georgia’s deputy Economy Minister Ketevan Bochorishvili and discussed further investment potential in Georgia’s mountainous areas. After the meeting officials travelled to Gudauri, where Jenkins visited the construction site of the Radisson Blu Gudauri hotel. The hotel is located at the base of the Gudauri ski gondola. 

Gudauri is 120km north of Tbilisi or a 2 two hour car-ride away. The winter resort offers slopes for both beginner and expert skiers snowboarders. The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the treeline, favourable for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. Extreme sports fans can also enjoy heli-skiing in Gudauri. The ski season lasts from December to April.