Soundproofing lift stations at Freedom Hotel Tbilisi

Project Overview

DECIBEL was selected to provide sound insulation solutions for Freedom Hotel Tbilisi, a luxury seven-star hotel that is part of the Marriott hotel chain. The hotel is located in Georgia and is part of an ambitious project involving three hotels connected by a gondola lift. One hotel is in the city center, the second is at the foot of a mountain, and the third is located at the top.

Each hotel includes a lift station located on the top floor next to the presidential suites. The project was designed to give guests a panoramic view of the city and the mountain, offering a unique and memorable experience.

DECIBEL was contacted by the architects of Marriott to prevent a serious issue: vibration and noise from the gondola system affecting the most luxurious rooms in the hotel.

Preventing Lift Noise in Presidential Suites

The main concern was that the launch and operation of the gondola would create structural vibrations. These vibrations could travel through the building and reach the presidential suites, disturbing the quiet environment expected in such high-end spaces.

The lift stations were located next to the most premium rooms in each hotel. Without the right sound insulation, the movement of the cabins and the lift system could cause unwanted noise and reduce comfort. DECIBEL’s task was to stop this problem before it could happen.

Challenge

This was a unique project. It was the first time DECIBEL worked on three separate hotel buildings connected by one moving structure. The challenge was to develop a solution that could handle complex mechanical vibrations and prevent them from being transferred into quiet interior spaces. The technical requirements were high, and the solution had to meet both acoustic and architectural standards.

We also had to coordinate with the gondola manufacturer, Doppelmayr, to understand the exact specifications of the lift and the noise it could produce during operation.

Scope of Work

• Acoustic analysis of the three hotel buildings
• Consultation with Doppelmayr to receive technical data about the lift
• Custom acoustic treatment plans for each lift station
• Installation of the following DECIBEL systems:
  • BLOCK SYSTEM™ for sound insulation in structural elements
  • MUTE SYSTEM™ adapted to meet the project's specific needs
• Engineering coordination between architects, lift developers, and DECIBEL’s acoustic team

Solution

DECIBEL created tailored sound insulation plans for each hotel based on the technical input from the lift developer. We installed the BLOCK SYSTEM™, known for its high structural sound insulation, and a custom version of the MUTE SYSTEM™, designed to absorb mechanical vibrations and reduce noise transfer through the building frame.

The solution was installed in all three hotels, at each lift station located near the presidential suites. Special attention was paid to the interface between the lift structure and the building walls and floors.

Result

The installation was completed successfully before the gondola system was activated. We expect the final test of the solution to happen once the lift is launched. The goal was clear: guests staying in the most luxurious rooms must not hear or feel the gondola in operation.

In a second phase of the project, DECIBEL was also asked to soundproof the starting station of the gondola, located next to the Freedom Hotel in the city center. The concern was that nearby residential buildings could be disturbed by the lift’s noise. DECIBEL designed and installed a soundproofing solution for the station as well. The project was approved, and we now wait for the gondola to open and confirm the results.

Ready to Protect Your Building From Mechanical Noise?

DECIBEL offers engineered soundproofing systems for hotels, public buildings, and infrastructure projects. Contact our team to discuss your custom solution.