♣ The Review of an accommodation in Ushguli ♣
It goes without saying that as for backpackers, accommodation is one of a very significant elements during their journey.
Generally speaking, when selecting accommodation, you usually refer to reviews written by travelers after using their own accommodation.
I have ever read an unknown article written by a traveler in a review of a renowned domestic travel agency after going on a package tour; he was offering a very harsh criticism on his experiences.
Even though it was a review from a traveler, I felt that the image of the famous travel agency was definitely tarnished by prospective travelers who read his.
If you wish to travel to Ushguli, I recommend you to take a day trip.
When I traveled to Ushguli last year, most travelers were traveling to Ushguli on a day trip.
If you wish to take a 2-day trip and 1-night trip, I wish to recommend you to make use of a combination restaurant and lodging, just right in front of last stop of the Marshurtka vans.
And why don’t you try to read the comments posted by travelers below about the accommodation in Ushguli that they had many complaints about while their backpacking?
When traveling to Ushguli, I don’t wish to recommend you at all to use ‘this hotel’ that does not deserve to be called a hotel.
I don't reckon at all that it's any different from applying deep-scented cosmetics to all over the body of yours and then entering the darkest cave full of swarming with mosquitoes.
To sum up the reviews [1], [2] and [3], I found that my memories shared with these people those things in common that I did not wish to suffer again.
One person's evaluation on something could be biased, but if multiple people share the same viewpoints on it, it will evoke empathy among all of them.
Consequently, I sympathize with their perspectives on Riho Hotel.
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★ The Reviews of Hotel Riho
[1] Nice place, but staff overly greedy
Spent one night there, rooms were comfortable and food was good. Went on a horse tour with them the next day which was beautiful although the guide spoke no English. We spent in total more than 300 Lari at the Hotel and when we wanted to leave they hassled us taking a Mashrutka to Mestia through them. After we refused they chased us and stopped our Mashrutka driver on the way resulting in a big clash between the driver and hotel staff. We were able to continue after listening to minutes of yelling at each other, but the sad impression of the behaviour of the hotel staff remains.
[2] Left with a bad taste in my mouth
We all experience the cold, unfriendly, uninterested Svaneti people while hiking the Mestia- Ushguli route.
This guest house is another example of "please let us get your money after breakfast so you can pack your bags and leave" attitude.
There were 4 of us and we arranged transport the night before for 11:00 am the next morning. After asking 3 times, in Russian, about the price and were told 30 lari, the next morning it went up so we stood our grounds and found other transport. Also beers are overpriced and food is expensive for what you get.
Two hikers wanted just lunch and were quoted 20 lari. That would be about $10 for lunch. I can't remember ever having a $10 lunch anywhere in the world let alone Svaneti.
[3] We regret staying here
We came to Ushguli on sundown and had very little time to look for a guesthouse before it was pitch dark. We heard about Riho's "good rooms but questionable attitude" from other hikers and decided to give it a go. What a disappointment. At the beginning there was just the two of us for dinner and the table was set for us. As we were sitting to eat, two other hikers came and asked to stay at the guesthouse as well, in a flash two more plates were added, but not anymore food and the dinner for two became a dinner for four. Obviously the food was scant and we were all hungry. When we asked if anything could be done we were rudely told that "you eat tomorrow" and only after we insisted we got some tomatoes and a very unhappy look from our hosts. The showers were also very problematic - with no pressure at all and almost no hot water (although we specifically asked about showers before agreeing to stay) we went to sleep in a bad feeling. The next morning the same scenario: very little food, very bad attitude. When we asked about transportation the lady there tried to charge us twice as much as anyone else for a drive back to Mestia.
All these people want is your money, they practically say it.
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