Anatolian Houses

Stepping in Anatolian Houses, visitors immediately enter a wonderful complex of typical Cappadocian rock-cut architecture the town of Göreme is so famed for. Originally a collection of village homes hidden amongst the famous "fairy chimneys" -- extraordinary rock pillars carved from millennia of wind and rain -- the property comprises of a series of rooms, courtyards, and grottos, linked by pathways and stairs carved out of five 800-year-old caves. The atmosphere throughout is undeniably tinged with a mystical air and the stone wall and carved-wood beams imbued with a real sense of the property's history. A pretty moat-style pool leads through a stone archway into a basement spa modeled on ancient Roman baths, while other interiors have been sympathetically modernized to include parquet floors, soft leather furnishings, and glass steps that lead to lawn or flagstone terraces that look out over the spectacular surroundings. 

The Anatolian Houses are situated in the center of Göreme and on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage designated Göreme National Park. The vast complex of rock-cut churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum is just five minutes' walk away, while the ancient 11th-century El Nazar Church is just over a mile away. Ballooning excursion points are also well within walking distance, while the nearest international airport -- Erkilet -- is around an hour-and-a-half drive.  

All of the hotel's 33 suites are carved into rock in the Cappadocian style and retain much of their original elements and ambience -- including stone archways, carved wooden beams, and ancient alcoves. Local art pieces also decorate the stone walls, while modern amenities include minibars and flat-screen TVs with digital channels. Bathrooms too maintain an ancient feel -- with inevitable mustiness in some -- though there are contemporary fixtures and hydro-massage baths in all but the standard Suites. All rooms also include centralized floor heating systems to take the chill out of the stone, though room size does vary a lot and some rooms can feel dark and poky. 

The downstairs ancient Rome-inspired spa offers indoor and outdoor pools, together with the traditional Turkish hammam experience and a range of massage treatments. To re-tox afterwards, the hotel's courtyard offers a wine fountain providing red or white local wine on tap. There is also an excellent restaurant on-site serving a menu of Indian cooking as well as a terrace bar which overlooks the stunning surrounds. Free Wi-Fi is available, though not throughout the property, while staff area on-hand to organize airport transfers and balloon excursions.