Cappadocia’s Cave Hotels

Cappadocia is one of the coolest, and most fascinating, travel destinations in Turkey. Up until two million years ago the region was literally a sea of lava over 150 meters (500 feet) deep. After the volcanoes that surround Cappadocia stopped erupting that sea of lava turned to rock—relatively soft rock that’s easily eroded and dug into. As a result the region is today rife with otherworldly rock formations, underground cities . . . and cave hotels.

There are maybe two dozen cave hotels in the greater Cappadocia region. A review of some of our favorites for budget travelers and for luxury-seekers.

Budget Cappadocia Cave Hotels

Monastery Cave Hotel

The cozy, comfortable Monastery Cave Hotel has a cave bar, cave restaurant and 13 cave rooms. The staff is super friendly and the location Mustafapasa (moose-tah-fah-pah-shah) is superb if you are looking to stay in an authentic Cappadocian town that’s somewhat removed from the tourist trail. With double en-suite double rooms going for €20 per person, the Monastery Cave Hotel is also one of the best cave hotel values.

Monastery Cave Hotel

Güven Cave Hostel

Only three rooms in the Güven Cave Hostel are actually in caves—numbers 105, 106 and 107—but even the non-cave rooms have their charm. There’s a wonderful terrace looking out over the Uzundere Valley and a cave-esque disco. It is also a good value, with prices starting from around €10.

Güven Cave Hostel

Backpackers Cave

The cheapest cave hotel we know of, the Backpackers Cave has nightly rates as low as €7 (when you book through Spot Cool Stuff and our HostelBooking partner). The rooms themselves don’t have much of a cave-like vibe, but we love the Backpackers Cave’s central location in the middle of the old section of Göreme.

Nomad Cave Hostel

Another fantastic value when booking through SCS—your own private cave room at Nomad Cave Hostel will only set you back a mere €15. The rate includes a great breakfast in a lovely restaurant and hanging-out area.

Nomad Cave Hostel

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Mid-Range & Luxury Cave Hotels

Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa

Wow! The Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa, Cappadocia’s most luxurious cave accommodations, is 5-star luxury goodness. Their Presidential and Royal suites are off-the-charts plush, but you’ll be happy enough in one of their senior suites (pictured below) or in any of their rooms, really, all of which feature a flatscreen TV, digital jukebox, high speed Internet and luxurious bath amenities. There’s also an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a spa with two Turkish baths, a snow & ice room, a steam room and an “adventure shower.”

Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa

Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa: Senior Suite

Argos In Cappadocia

Though not as outright luxurious as the Cappadocia Cave Resort and Spa (above), the awkwardly-named Argos In Cappadocia might be our favorite cave hotel among those reviewed in this post. We love the communal hang-out spaces, especially the terraces that offer sweeping views of the surreal Cappadocian landscape. The hotel also offers a friendly staff and high dose of local flavor. If that’s not enough to convince you, the “splendid” level cave suites with their own private cave swimming pool will. For the claustrophobic, Argos In Cappadocia also offers excellent non-cave rooms in a former monastery and in a restored mansion.

Argos In Cappadocia

Aydinli Cave House

This six-room family-run cave-lodge in the heart of old Göreme is the perfect middle path between the budget Güven Cave Hostel and the super-luxurious Cappadocia Cave Resort (both reviewed above). Th cheapest room at the Aydinli Cave House is €70, but we recommend spending a bit extra for their room #2 (pictured below).

Aydinli Cave House

Serinn House

The rooms at the Serinn House have a wonderful cave feel but we aren’t big fans of their decor—an odd mix of chic-modern meets a 1970′s-Austin-Powers-shag-pad—but see how it could appeal to travelers who want a touch of SoHo with their Turkey experience. The Serinn House is another one of those Cappadocia hotels where the service is fantastic; the staff seem especially keen on arranging area activities, from hot air balloon flights and horseback riding tours, for their guests.

Serinn House

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

The Elkep Evi Cave Hotel has the coolest-looking exterior of any cave hotel in Cappadocia. The whole of the hotel’s interior space is built into the side of a cliff, which means that not only are all the rooms in caves but so are the hallways, the dinning areas and the lobby. When the weather is nice the outdoor areas are lovely for sitting by a fire, smoking a hookah and taking in the ambiance. All this comes at a surprisingly affordable price—single cave rooms are only €50, double cave rooms with a private jacuzzi are €100. Highly suggested!

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Elkep Evi Cave Hotel

Gamirasu Cave Hotel

The Gamirasu started out as a Byzantine monastic retreat in the year 999. It became a hotel in 1999. The 1,000 years between those two events seem to resonate throughout the Gamirasu’s 25 rooms and its cozy outdoor spaces. The restaurant’s 6-course Turkish dinner is wonderful. The €350 Eagle’s Nest Suite isn’t too shabby either.

Gamirasu Cave Hotel

Gamirasu Cave Hotel

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