Booking a bed in a cave hotel might seem a bit of a crazy idea, but it actually makes sense when you’re visiting a hot country. Underground it’s cool and dark, and you’ll be happy to get out of the sun’s glare. The volcanic rock underground, known as ‘tufa’, provides the perfect insulation. It moderates the temperature to between 17 and 20 degrees throughout the year. HostelBookers.com has many unusual hotels, but if you’re travelling to Turkey it’s the caves they’re famous for.
This small, family-run hotel is located in the heart of old Goreme in Cappadocia. It’s stylish and smart and retains many of the rock-cut features of the traditional cave dwellings for which the area is renowned. There are six individually decorated rooms – two suites and one with a separate sleeping area that makes it ideal for a small family. Most of the rooms have stone fireplaces so they’re a great choice year round.
All of them have cool, travertine-lined bathrooms – some with Jacuzzis – most with walk-in showers and hamam basins. There’s a breakfast terrace on the roof which looks straight out over the older part of the village. From here you can appreciate the sea of honey-coloured houses and the beautiful mosque. Breakfast is free – you’ll enjoy an open buffet, topped up with seasonal fruits and freshly cooked Börek (Turkish pastries).
This exquisitely restored 13-room troglodyte cave house is perfect for a more unique holiday. Opened in 1968 in a village near Urgup right in the heart of Cappadocia, Monastery Cave Hotel housed monks until very recently. Now the hotel has a restaurant serving local and traditional food, a disco, a bar and an internet café. If you’re in the area for the hiking and trekking possibilities a stay at the Monastery Cave Hotel will put you in the middle of the action. The friendly staff will help organise horseback and safari tours, as well as revealing the best way to explore the archeologically incredible area.
For Turkish warmth and hospitality combined with a hand crafted cave hotel, check yourself in to Goreme House Hotel. You’ll find it nestled on the back slopes of Goreme Village and fitted out with all the modern comforts while retaining the traditional Anatolian style. The wood floors and panel decorations make it cosy and relaxing while the cave walls make it cool and spacious.
Goreme House Hotel is a great retreat – there are beautiful views over the town and you can enjoy a good book from the roof terrace bar and cafe.
I’ve been to Turkey and in capadokia i slept in a cave hotel. great experience
great post
keep up the wonderful work you are doing here
come and say hi