The Telegraph Hotel Named Among the World’s 16 Most Beautiful Hotels by Prix Versailles
The Telegraph Hotel has been named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels for 2026 by Prix Versailles. Located on Rustaveli Avenue in the heart of Tbilisi, the hotel is housed in the historic former Central Post and Telegraph building and is the only property from the region included in this year’s selection of 16 hotels worldwide.
Prix Versailles is a series of international architectural awards presented annually in collaboration with UNESCO. The programme highlights outstanding contemporary architectural projects from around the world, recognised for exceptional design vision, creativity, sustainability, environmental efficiency and their connection to cultural context.
The Telegraph Hotel opened less than a year ago and has already become one of Tbilisi’s most recognisable meeting points and lifestyle destinations. Housed in the centre of the city, the hotel combines historic architecture with contemporary hospitality and design.
“All the projects featured on the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels List for 2026 embrace a lifestyle based on enchantment and innovation and fit perfectly into their local scene. They give us illuminating insight into what excellence looks like in the interior and exterior design of buildings. This allows them to deliver a positive form of hospitality, one that beautifies the built environment and fulfils travellers’ hopes and aspirations. These hotels, each endowed with its own amazing personality, provide a bright outlook and, in their own way, establish a welcome dialogue in today’s world of cultural globalisation.” - Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles
“It is a great honour for us that less than a year after opening, The Telegraph has been named among the world’s 16 most beautiful hotels by Prix Versailles. The Telegraph has already become one of Tbilisi’s main points of attraction and a favourite meeting place in the city. Located in one of Tbilisi’s most important areas, it reflects the highest standards of contemporary architecture. The building preserves its original character as a remarkable architectural work by architects Lado Aleksi-Meskhishvili and Teimuraz Mikashavidze, while the exceptional interiors designed by Neri&Hu bring a distinctive charm and new elegance to the centre of Tbilisi.” – George Ramishvili, Silk Road Group Founder
The large-scale reconstruction of the former Central Post building at Republic Square was developed in collaboration with Neri&Hu, one of the world’s leading architecture and design studios. Known for internationally acclaimed projects across multiple countries, including the restoration of historic buildings, Neri&Hu created the hotel’s interior concept while preserving the original architectural character of the landmark building.
The reconstruction of the Telegraph Hotel was carried out with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, reflecting the standards of modern green hospitality development. Construction works were completed by Silk Development, while Silk Hospitality introduced the international hospitality standards and service experience that define the property today.
The Telegraph Hotel has quickly become one of the leading symbols of premium tourism in Georgia. It is also the first hotel in the region to join The Leading Hotels of the World, marking an important milestone for the Georgian hospitality industry and the introduction of world-class luxury standards in the country.
The hotel was also awarded 2 MICHELIN Keys by the MICHELIN Guide in 2025, becoming the first hotel in Georgia and the wider region to receive this distinction. In addition, the hotel’s restaurants, Grand Café and Laan Thai, were included in La Liste’s Food Gems selection, one of the world’s most respected gastronomic guides.
These achievements reflect the long-term collaboration between Silk Development and Silk Hospitality and their shared vision of creating internationally recognised hospitality destinations in Georgia.