Lopota Lake Resort: Wine, Wellness and a Kakheti Escape in Georgia

For a Kakheti stay that balances wine country with a full resort itinerary, Lopota Lake makes a persuasive case. Set beside a lake in Georgia’s Caucasus region, it brings together a vineyard, several restaurants, a mountain-view spa and activities ranging from horse riding to quad biking. After a few nights in Tbilisi, my husband and I checked in for three nights, hoping for good food, a slower pace and a little more time to enjoy our post-wedding glow. We found plenty to fill the days, with room to do very little, too.

Georgia had already won us over on an earlier visit. Its food and drink, varied scenery and capital, Tbilisi, made it an easy choice for the week of annual leave we’d booked after our wedding. Kakheti was high on my list, and several friends had recommended Lopota Lake as a way to see more of the countryside. The resort is about a two-hour drive from Tbilisi, so it works as a country stay after time in the city.

A lakefront base with a nature focus

Lopota Lake began as a small family business, founded by entrepreneur Goga Maisuradzea almost two decades ago. It now has 310 rooms across 16 buildings, alongside grounds shaped by the surrounding landscape. Plants, roaming animals and beehives give the property a distinctly outdoorsy feel, even with its extensive facilities.

Our deluxe king room struck a comfortable balance between cosiness and polish. There was space to settle in, the amenities we needed and, best of all, a view over the lake. An outdoor area made sunset feel like an event in itself: we watched the light change with wine and dried fruit close at hand. The resort’s scale is considerable, but the room still felt welcoming rather than anonymous.

There are five restaurants, several bars, a jazz club and the Forest Spa. The property also has a wine cellar and vineyard, Château Buera, where it produces its own wine. That combination makes it easy to spend a few days without having to plan every meal or outing in advance.

Credit: Susanne Norris

Kakhetian flavours, with plenty of choice

Our first lunch was at Kakhetian Corner, where traditional regional dishes set the tone. We shared khachapuri, Georgian flatbread filled with cheese, khinkali dumplings and fresh salads made with local ingredients. An open barbecue kitchen adds an informal note; we tried grilled meat and mushrooms while taking in the relaxed atmosphere.

For dinner, Château Buera gave us a more polished take on Georgian cooking. The menu brings local culinary heritage into modern dishes: we tried tomato salad with stracciatella, ajapsandali, a Georgian dish often likened to ratatouille, and steak. The vineyard’s organic wine is a natural match. We left feeling generously looked after, in keeping with the Georgian approach to a meal that’s meant to be shared and enjoyed at length.

Credit: Lopota Lake Resort

There’s more variety beyond the regional menu. Ike serves Asian fusion, while Oval focuses on Italian food. We had a relaxed dinner at Oval, where the gnocchi stood out, along with the pizzas. Breakfast is served in the Dining Hall, with a mix of buffet dishes and options prepared by chefs.

Wine is central to the setting, but the bars cover other tastes, too. We kept returning to the Old Bar for its extensive cocktail list and jukebox loaded with familiar songs. In summer, guests can head to the rooftop bar; the jazz club, open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, has its own drinks selection. It’s a useful range for evenings that might begin with a long dinner and end with a singalong.

Credit: Lopota Lake Resort

Spa time and ways to explore

The Forest Spa was our first stop. We began in a jacuzzi overlooking the lake, with wine and sunset views, then booked a massage after the wedding and flight. Treatments use products from Swiss brand Valmont, and the setting gives the experience its particular sense of occasion. We left feeling thoroughly unwound.

Other wellness facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a Finnish sauna and a popular Slavic bath experience. The spa’s mountain outlook is part of the appeal, but the pools make it easy to fit in a swim between meals or activities.

We also wanted to get beyond the resort grounds. Horse riding was a highlight, even for a complete beginner: the experience felt well organised, which made it easier to relax and enjoy trying something new. The next day, we chose quad biking. I was nervous at first, but our guide led us through nearby forests and past rivers, vineyards and old churches. It gave us a vivid sense of rural Kakheti.

Credit: Susanne Norris

A cellar tour at Château Buera adds context to the region’s wine. The sommelier introduced us to Georgian winemaking and the qvevri method, in which wine is made in underground clay pots. We tasted wines made using both qvevri and French methods, and asked about amber wine, a style Kakheti is especially known for. For anyone curious about the region’s traditions, the tasting connects what’s in the glass to the place around it.

Families have plenty to choose from as well: there’s a water park, animals around the property, cycling, basketball, football and tennis courts, plus pedalos on the lake. We enjoyed taking a pedalo out ourselves. A resident donkey even wanders by the pools, a small detail that captures the resort’s relaxed, rural character.

Credit: Susanne Norris

Is Lopota Lake worth a stay?

For us, the answer was yes. The hospitality made the stay feel personal, while the range of dining and activities meant we never worried about running out of things to do. You could build a visit around the spa and leisurely meals, or keep the days active with rides, tastings and time on the lake. Three nights gave us a satisfying introduction to Kakheti, though we could easily have stayed longer.

Lopota Lake is a strong fit for travellers who want a comfortable base in Georgia’s wine region, with local food and wine close at hand and countryside excursions built into the experience. Rooms start from £225 a night. For details and bookings, visit lopotaresort.com.

Images: Lopota Lake Resort; Susanne Norris