argos in Cappadocia

People once lived beneath Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape of weathered hills and fairy chimneys in the mysterious ancient cave systems that honeycomb the region, and at Argos you can actually stay in some of them. Over the past 2,000 years, the underground warrens and stone buildings that make up the Argos have served as way stations for merchants and their camels traveling the Silk Road. The property was also once a Christian monastery and more recently -- more than 100 years ago -- a linseed oil factory. This rich history is all preserved in the property’s intriguing stone tunnels, archways, and caverns, decorated with a modern Turkish flair. Among the many quiet places to relax, the lobby has piles of books and cushy communal seating arranged around a small stone-carved fireplace, all under an exposed timber ceiling.

This is one of the top hotels in Uchisar; only the Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa can compare.

The Argos is built into the hillside in Uchisar, overlooking Pigeon Valley on the edge of Goreme National Park. The hotel is within walking distance of the town's small marketplace, restaurants, and Uchisar castle, one of the region's most significant landmarks. The vast complex of rock-cut churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum and the 11th-century Al Nazar Church are both less than a 15-minute drive northeast. The nearest international airport -- Cappadocia Airport -- is a 30-minute drive west.

Spread between six stone buildings and the network of caves beneath them, some of the 51 rooms here are more thoroughly subterranean than others. All are essentially floor-to-ceiling stone comprised of a combination of raw cave ceilings and cut stone blocks. Traditional kilims add warm textile layers to the stone backdrops, with Ottomans and Turkish antiques lending a rich decorative element to every nook. Each room also has a wood-burning fireplace and access to an outdoor courtyard or terrace. Suites have separate living areas with private terraces or balconies, and the Splendid Suites have their own private indoor pools carved into the cave floors. The all-stone bathrooms have large walk-in showers and heated towel racks. The rooms have air-conditioning, as well as fans. There are no TVs, but iPod docks and minibars are standard and suites have espresso machines.

Argos in Cappadocia has daily tours of the grounds and its caves, complete with secret passages from a lost era. Antiques and curiosities are exhibited throughout the hotel, and some of the tunnels are used as unique natural galleries, showcasing relics on carved stone shelves. The dining at the hotel is a treat and SEKI is one of the area's best restaurants, serving local cuisine with International influences. There's also an attached lounge with an open fireplace that serves smaller plates. And the immense wine cellar is its own attraction, hand carved from rock in winding tunnels and interconnected chambers, all filled with bottles from around the world. Guests can see it for themselves by attending a wine sampling and trying the hotel's own vintage. 

Those who need a dose of sunshine can sit topside in the gardens or outdoor terraces to take in incredible views of the fairy chimneys stretching out in the valley below. Plush furniture arranged with colorful pillows sit in stone-lined courtyards with private nooks and covered pavilions. The hotel also houses an event hall known as Bezirhane. Once a medieval monastery, the space is now used for private dinners, weddings, and the occasional high-powered business meeting. But the hall’s stone-clad, domed interior is best served as an acoustically superior space to showcase regular classical and Sufi music concerts.