Karma Hostel · near Kutaisi
in Georgia 🇬🇪
→ karmahostelmartvili.com
✉️
a coliving · since 2023 closed · reopens for November
Reviews please interpret other's opinions per your own needs and values
My friends and I booked three rooms for two nights at Karma Hostel. After the first the first night we notified the staff that we had to head back to Tbilisi for an urgent personal matter and that we would like to cancel the second night of our reservation. They said that would be difficult because it’s high season even though we booked the rooms the previous day and they were all available. I asked if we could just pay half of the second night and they still refused because they have a three day cancellation policy, which is fine but again, the rooms were not reserved even one day before. It was clear that they weren’t going to book those rooms either and that they were being inflexible simply because they could. We left at 10am and but ended up paying for the full next day, which felt extremely unreasonable. Karma Hostel seemed really nice but it’s clear they care more about money than karma.
I am with Ayala, and I had a different experience. The place is very basic, but cool. Great atmosphere and warm hosts. Lots of interesting people from all over.
Totally recommend it
I guess we have good Karma this is why we have found Karma hostel. Basically is a real jewel in Georgia! We have discovered this place once and stayed there already several times. It’s a very unique and very Georgian place but also very European (especially in terms of service, may be even a boutique hotel rather than hostel) and with really cool boho chic design. It’s only few rooms but you will defiantly find your favourite one, we found it for ourselves and always stayed there (we have a 7 years old daughter and a triple room on the ground floor with 1 large bed and 1 smaller bed fits our needs perfectly).
The rooms are indeed cool and nice with lots of interesting details and comfortable beds but most of the time we were spending in different public areas (veranda, main guest room or garden) with the owners. They are Polish girl and Belgium guy who are very nice and hospitable people and its big fun spending time with them during and after breakfast or dinner.
Defiantly you can meet good company in Karma, since it’s a cool place it attracts really cool clients and we have met very interesting people from all around the world there. With Georgian tradition you sit by one big table and eat and drink with strangers that are becoming you good friends for just this evening or may be for a longer time.
Food is another remarkable thing in Karma hostel it’s not only very tasty but it looks chic: the setup of the food station is like the one you may find is some luxury boutique hotels in a French village or on the Caribbean coast.
Since Martivilli is located in a quite warm part of Georgia you can spend hours on veranda or in the garden however it’s always worth exploring and owners will tell you where to go and different canyons and waterfalls is what you really need to see in or around Martivili.
I really wanted to love this hostel - but sadly was disappointed. Me and my friend stayed for three nights at Karma in the dorm.
First the good parts: the place is beautifully made; clearly a lot of thought and work went into it. Even the 20-bed dorm felt comfortable and cozy. The food was really good, lots of veggies and always fresh (we had two dinners). I could do my laundry and we received some advice for the minibusses after inquiring.
However: We had been looking forward to a peaceful retreat in nature, but were greeted by constant noise. They have two workshops, it seemed mainly for woodworking on the property. One is right next to the yoga space, the other right next to the dorm/ rooms. Both were busy from around 10am to 7pm during our stay. On top of this we were a bit unlucky since the road was being built next to the hostel, so sometimes the ground was shaking from the heavy machinery. Still, to run the two workshops could have been avoided by the hostel. We felt quite stressed out and left the hostel during daytime to escape the noise. There was also music playing, sometimes from 4 different sources, overlapping each other. The music would go on in the evening. The noise was our main concern. Apart from that some other things were a little bothersome: smoking and full ash trays in the outside eating area all the time, location quite far off so you need a car, wait for a minivan or hitchhike to get to any of the sights, kitchen for guests was rather rudimentary. During our stay the atmosphere was dominated by the people who work there (some employees, many volunteers) and a large group of guests which was okay but for us felt a bit too much like a group dynamic.
We love Karma hostel! We stayed in two of the private rooms and we loved them both. Spacious, light filled, comfortable and we woke up to the sounds of birds. The food was impeccable, cooked by the Karma resident chefs, we loved sitting and connecting with the Karma crew and other guests for meals. Perfect launch pad for visiting the surrounding natural beauty. Have a few extra nights up your sleeve because you will want to stay longer!! Could not recommend more highly. Thanks to Max and the crew for having us. Can’t wait to come back! Love G&T
Best hostel in town!!
I enjoyed my stay here so much. I will explain myself why:
First of all, Wout and Emma were perfect hosts. I had great food, laughed, danced, drank, even cried once during my stay (where I could count on a shoulder to cry on - thanks again Wout for listening).
Furthermore, I was in love with my room (Mermaid room). Bright, clean and spacious room and on top of that you get up every day with the birds singing (I LOVED IT).
Every day you can enjoy a fantastic breakfast and dinner.
Above all, there were also super nice, interesting guests present who made my stay complete.
Also the Martvili Canyons and the waterfalls are definitely worth a visit!
I can only say one thing: karma hostel thanks for the nice stay, and I'll be back!
Lots of love,
Tineke
I spend 2 weeks in winter Karma and I think I will never forget it. THE FOOD was at another level. The atmosphere is simply so good and allows you to make awesome connections, or chill by your own. The whole space is super cool, and there're plenty of incredible places nearby too, and neighbours are pretty friendly. Definetly would come back if I happen to be nearby again
xoxo to Ema, Woody and Aurora♥
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