Set across 60 hectares of wooded foothills in Georgia's Kakheti region, Lopota Lake Resort & Spa wraps itself around a calm lake, with vineyards and the Caucasus Mountains framing the whole thing. A recent review from The Travel Magazine gives a detailed picture of what a stay here actually looks like — and it's a compelling one for anyone eyeing Georgia's wine country.

This is no small boutique hideaway. There are 310 rooms across 16 buildings, pitched at couples, families and groups alike. The reviewer's Deluxe King Room came with a woodland mural, a welcome bottle of wine, Nespresso machine, robes and slippers, and a generous balcony looking over the water. The overall vibe is self-contained: you can happily stay several days without leaving the grounds.

Food is a genuine draw. Kakhetian Corner serves regional classics by the lake — grilled meats, local cheeses and, naturally, khachapuri. Château Buera, which houses the resort's own winery, pairs modern Georgian cooking from Chef Meriko Gubeladze with limited-run organic wines from bio-certified vineyards, plus guided tastings. Harvest season brings wine, food, dance and music. There's also Italian at Oval, Asian fusion at IKE, a central buffet hall, and a dedicated Jazz Club with live music and signature cocktails after dark.

The wellness side is substantial: seven outdoor pools plus an indoor one with panoramic views, a forest spa on the hillside with massages and hydrotherapy, and a Slavic-style bathhouse offering steam, honey and birch rituals. Outdoors, the lake hosts paddle boats, and there's horse riding, tennis, cycling — and quad bike tours that leave the grounds entirely and cross rivers for anyone after a proper adrenaline hit.

Rates start from €300 per night for two, breakfast included — placing it firmly in the premium bracket, but with the facilities to justify it. The best part is the location: Kakheti is Georgia's celebrated wine region, and Telavi, the main town, is only about 23km away with a big market of local produce, spices and cheese. Nearby wineries offer tastings, Twins Wine Cellar has a wine museum, and monasteries and traditional villages lie further afield.

Autumn, coinciding with the grape harvest, is flagged as a standout time to visit — the resort works as a retreat in cooler months too, when crowds thin out. If you want one trip that bundles Caucasus scenery, serious wine culture and a proper spa into a single base, this one deserves a spot on the list.