{"id":2033261,"date":"2026-07-08T15:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2033261"},"modified":"2026-07-08T15:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T12:59:15","slug":"emirates-rotana-hotel-group-announces-first-ski-resort-acquisition-in-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2033261","title":{"rendered":"Emirates Rotana Hotel Group Announces First Ski Resort Acquisition in Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_414947\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-414947\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-414947 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFAAQMAAAAWA19JAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADBJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20MH6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPgZlQAABOGKJ6gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"320\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rc_178220123212_670.jpg?resize=640%2C320&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rc_178220123212_670.jpg?w=1010&amp;ssl=1 1010w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rc_178220123212_670.jpg?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rc_178220123212_670.jpg?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"320\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-414947\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rc_178220123212_670.jpg?resize=640%2C320&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"320\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-414947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Future concept of the new Rotana ski resort. | Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rotana.com\/news\/5708\">Rotana<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_1 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Rotana, the Emirates-based global hospitality group, has just acquired its first ski resort. <\/strong>The resort is located in Gudauri, high in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the country of Georgia. Gudauri is already one of the region\u2019s leading and most well-established ski areas. The acquisition comes as an addition to Rotana\u2019s ever-expanding portfolio. The hospitality group already owns a diverse set of assets, operating over 100 properties from the Middle East to Europe. Rotana operates six separate sub-brands, including the flagship Rotana Hotels &amp; Resorts<!--TgQPHd||[]-->, as well as Centro Hotels, Edge by Rotana, <span class=\"gs_tkn\">Rayhaan\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"gs_tkn\">Hotels\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"gs_tkn\">&amp;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"gs_tkn\">Resort,<\/span> and Arjaan Hotel Apartments. Rotana also manages the Rose Rayhaan in Dubai, notable for being the world\u2019s tallest hotel between 2009 and 2012 at 1,093 feet (<span id=\"mwOw\" data-mw=\"{&quot;parts&quot;:[{&quot;template&quot;:{&quot;target&quot;:{&quot;wt&quot;:&quot;convert&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;.\/Template:Convert&quot;},&quot;params&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:{&quot;wt&quot;:&quot;333&quot;},&quot;2&quot;:{&quot;wt&quot;:&quot;m&quot;},&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;wt&quot;:&quot;ft&quot;},&quot;abbr&quot;:{&quot;wt&quot;:&quot;on&quot;}},&quot;i&quot;:0}}]}\">333<\/span>\u00a0m).<sup id=\"cite_ref-9\" class=\"mw-ref reference\" data-mw=\"{&quot;name&quot;:&quot;ref&quot;,&quot;attrs&quot;:{},&quot;body&quot;:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;mw-reference-text-cite_note-9&quot;}}\"><\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related:\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/hyrox-ski-dubai-snow-event-2026\/\">Ski Dubai, UAE, Takes Hyrox Out Of the Gym And Onto the Snow<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The resort will be renamed Caucasus Mandili, from simply Gudauri ski resort.<\/strong> The property is currently being developed in partnership with Pontus Development and designed by Italian architectural studio NOA. The group plans to turn Caucasus Mandili into a true year-round destination. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rotana.com\/news\/5708\">Rotana\u2019s<\/a> official site stated that \u201cacross the resort, guests will have access to signature and specialty dining, a cigar lounge, six meeting rooms, apr\u00e8s-ski terraces, full-service health clubs and spas with bio and panoramic saunas, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ski equipment retail and rental, and extensive kids\u2019 and family entertainment. A dedicated wellness facility connects both properties via a bridge, providing guests with access to the resort\u2019s shared wellness offering.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_414949\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-414949\" style=\"width: 678px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-414949 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGrAQMAAABqgLQIAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T+1tB6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgDIcbAAEnbF1FAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/images.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/images.jpeg?w=678&amp;ssl=1 678w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/images.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"427\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-414949\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/images.jpeg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-414949\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow covered peaks in the Greater Caucasus. | Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/peakvisor.com\/range\/greater-caucasus.html\">Peakvisor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Caucasus Mandili offers an <a href=\"https:\/\/gudauri.com\/about-gudauri\/ski-lifts.html\">impressive vertical drop of 4,130 feet (1,260 meters)<\/a> and is served by seven chairlifts, four gondola\/ropeways, and four T-bars<\/strong>. The resort is also noteworthy for offering heli-skiing. The resort offers more than <a href=\"https:\/\/gudauri.com\/about-gudauri\/ski-lifts.html\">75 kilometers<\/a> (47 miles) of groomed slopes on approximately 7,000 acres of skiable terrain, providing a diverse array of difficulties. <a href=\"https:\/\/gudauriski.com\/about-gudauri-ski-resort\/\">Gudauri\u2019s<\/a> official page states it offers 30% blue slopes, 40% red slopes, and 30% black, providing something for all levels of skiers and riders. Caucasus Mandili will compete with nearby Kazbegi Ski Resort and aims to differentiate itself with a level of luxury not yet seen in the area.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Makram El Zyr, the brand\u2019s vice president of development<\/strong> <strong>said \u201cGudauri marks a defining moment for Rotana. <\/strong>With our first ski resort, we are introducing an entirely new dimension to our hospitality offering and extending our brand into one of the most exciting categories in global travel. The trust and shared vision we have built with Pontus over the past three years, alongside the architectural expertise of NOA, gives this project an exceptional foundation. Gudauri reflects our long-term confidence in Georgia and commitment to delivering distinctive guest experiences in destinations of true character and significance.\u201d The resort was officially signed over to Rotana on May 22, though official opening dates are expected to be announced later in the year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-16\" style=\"margin: 8px 0;clear: both\">\n<div id=\"sb-newsletter\" style=\"background:#2B2E3A;border-top:3px solid #D7424E;padding:26px 24px 22px;margin:28px 0;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;width:100%;display:block\">\n<p>    @media (max-width:600px) {<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter { padding:18px 20px 14px !important; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter h3 { font-size:14px !important; white-space:nowrap; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter .sb-body { font-size:12px !important; margin-bottom:8px !important; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter .sb-proof { font-size:11px !important; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter .sb-form-row { flex-wrap:nowrap !important; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter .sb-form-row input { font-size:12px !important; padding:9px 10px !important; }<br \/>\n      #sb-newsletter .sb-form-row button { font-size:12px !important; padding:9px 12px !important; }<br \/>\n    }<\/p>\n<div id=\"sb-form-wrap\">\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#D7424E;margin:0 0 9px 0;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">SnowBrains Newsletter<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:19px;font-weight:700;margin:0 0 6px 0;line-height:1.25;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">The snowsports journalism skiers trust.<\/h3>\n<p class=\"sb-body\" style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:13px;margin:0 0 8px 0;line-height:1.5;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">Award-winning journalism, resort reports, powder forecasts and industry deep dives from the world&#8217;s largest independent snowsports outlet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sb-proof\" style=\"color:#9ca3af;font-size:12px;font-style:italic;margin:0 0 12px 0;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">Join thousands of snow lovers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-form-row\" style=\"display:flex;gap:8px;flex-wrap:wrap\">\n<p>      <button style=\"background:#D7424E;color:#fff;border:none;border-radius:4px;padding:10px 20px;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer;white-space:nowrap\">Subscribe free \u2192<\/button>\n    <\/div>\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:11px;margin:10px 0 0 0;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">No spam. Unsubscribe any time.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"sb-success\" style=\"display:none\">\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;margin:0 0 8px 0;line-height:1.2;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">You&#8217;re in!<\/p>\n<p style=\"color:#ffffff;font-size:15px;margin:0;line-height:1.5;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif\">Thanks for signing up. The best ski news is on its way.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>function sbSubscribe() {<br \/>\n  var email = document.getElementById(&#8216;sb-email&#8217;).value;<br \/>\n  if (!email || !email.includes(&#8216;@&#8217;)) {<br \/>\n    document.getElementById(&#8216;sb-email&#8217;).style.borderColor = &#8216;#D7424E&#8217;;<br \/>\n    return;<br \/>\n  }<br \/>\n  var url = &#8216;https:\/\/snowbrains.us5.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/post?u=1f247afab0a546e393c022f9a&amp;id=bcbf6caf6b&amp;f_id=003bf2e0f0&#8217;;<br \/>\n  var data = new FormData();<br \/>\n  data.append(&#8216;EMAIL&#8217;, email);<br \/>\n  data.append(&#8216;tags&#8217;, &#8216;2188762&#8217;);<br \/>\n  data.append(&#8216;b_1f247afab0a546e393c022f9a_bcbf6caf6b&#8217;, &#8221;);<br \/>\n  fetch(url, { method: &#8216;POST&#8217;, body: data, mode: &#8216;no-cors&#8217; });<br \/>\n  document.getElementById(&#8216;sb-form-wrap&#8217;).style.display = &#8216;none&#8217;;<br \/>\n  document.getElementById(&#8216;sb-success&#8217;).style.display = &#8216;block&#8217;;<br \/>\n}\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_415047\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-415047\" style=\"width: 1278px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-415047 size-full lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFcAQMAAABiF52pAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADJJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20IX6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB4DW4cAAH5WDzIAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"348\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?resize=640%2C348&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?w=1278&amp;ssl=1 1278w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?resize=300%2C163&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?resize=1200%2C652&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?resize=768%2C417&amp;ssl=1 768w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"348\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-415047 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/tbs_centre.jpg?resize=640%2C348&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"348\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-415047\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tbilisi International Airport. | Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airports-worldwide.com\/georgia\/tbilisi_georgia.php\">Airports-worldwide.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_2 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>The resort is located just 75 miles (120 km) from Tbilisi International Airport, making it easily accessible to travelers from around the world.<\/strong> The resort will have approximately 400 rooms. The resort sits at 7,200 feet (2,200 m), making skiing possible from December through April. Georgia has quickly been becoming one of the fastest growing tourism countries in Europe over the last several years. The country welcomed over 7 million international visitors in 2025, and Rotana\u2019s addition of the ski resort will continue to push that momentum forward.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related:\u00a0<em><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/skiing-in-georgia-a-hidden-gem-in-the-caucasus\/\">Skiing in Georgia: A Hidden Gem in the Caucasus<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Irakli Varshalomidze, Founder of Pontus, summed things up by saying \u201cExpanding our partnership with Rotana into Gudauri is a defining moment for Pontus and for Georgian tourism.<\/strong> The strength of this project lies in the synergy of three teams \u2014 Pontus\u2019s deep knowledge of the local market, Rotana\u2019s international hospitality expertise, and NOA\u2019s world-class experience in mountain architecture. Together, we are delivering a new benchmark for service, quality and design in Gudauri, and contributing to the next chapter of Georgia\u2019s growth as a leading international destination.\u201d The new acquisition looks to be an exciting opportunity for the tourism sector of the country, as well as for the skiers and riders from across Europe, the Middle East and beyond.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_415051\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-415051\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-415051 size-full lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGrAQMAAABqgLQIAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T+1tB6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgDIcbAAEnbF1FAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/caption.jpg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/caption.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/caption.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"427\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-415051 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/caption.jpg?resize=640%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-415051\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Catching some air in the Greater Caucasus. | Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/AttractionProductReview-g294195-d15142311-One_Day_Ski_Tour_to_Gudauri_Skiing_in_Caucasus_Mountains-Tbilisi.html\">Tripadvisor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Future concept of the new Rotana ski resort. | Photo: Rotana Rotana, the Emirates-based global hospitality group, has just acquired its first ski resort. The resort is located in Gudauri, high in the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the country of Georgia. Gudauri is already one of the region\u2019s leading and most well-established ski areas. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-2033261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2033261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2033261\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2033261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2033261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2033261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}