Gafferli Mah. Unlu Sokak No 19, Goreme, Turkey | (888) 708-2081
Stone, brick, and
cave complex integrated into ancient "fairy chimneys"
Set overlooking Göreme town with most attractions in walking distance
Cozy, grotto-like
rooms with minibars, kettles, and small flat-screen TVs
Bathrooms have a soaking tub or hydro-massage showers
Many rooms have
lounges with fireplaces
Some rooms open
to balconies or terraces
Free Turkish
buffet breakfast
Wi-Fi can be
patchy
Decor verges on shabby in places
Lots of steps issues for mobility
challenged
The 36-room Cappadocia
Cave Suites' main selling point is its excellent integration with the striking "fairy chimneys" the region is renowned for. The blend of these with ancient
cave dwellings and modern stone buildings give a real feel of history throughout
-- while rooms are well equipped with minibars, small flat-screen TVs, and (in most) nice soaking tubs. Some elements drift from
shabby chic to plain shabby, and a few issues with service have been reported,
though rates are excellent for the chance of sleeping in a hoodoo. For a slightly
slicker, but sometimes pricier, experience check out the Anatolian Houses on the other side
of town.
Scene
Modern stone complex integrated into ancient chimneys and volcanic rock dwellings
The Cappadocia
Cave Suites is one of the few hotels in the region actually built into the area's
renowned "fairy chimneys" or hoodoos -- stone eroded into impressive spires by
millennia of wind and rain. The owner, Bora Özkök, bought the first hoodoo in
1998, but it was several years later after acquiring and renovating two more
that the suites first opened. Protected by UNESCO, they are no longer allowed
to be altered, but this complex has managed to successfully blend old-style
stone buildings with these ancient formations and centuries-old volcanic rock cave
dwellings to create a sympathetic and perfectly integrated hotel. Inside, the
lobby is full of traditional and regional furnishings, while the property has a
real feeling of history with a touch of the mystical throughout -- most
dramatically the 12th-century chapel that occupies one of the chimneys and
features ancient frescos.
Location
Set on a bluff overlooking Göreme town walking distance from many attractions
The hotel sits on
a bluff overlooking Göreme town and the surrounding hills and houses. The town center
is no more than a 10-minute stroll away and most of the areas attractions are
within walking distance. The complex of rock-cut dwellings
of the Zelve Open Air Museum is around 12 minutes away on foot, while the
ancient 11th-century El Nazar Church is just 10 minutes away. Ballooning
excursion points are also well within walking distance, while the hotel offers
a wide range of excursions exploring the local area. The hotel can organize private or shuttle
transfers to and from both Kayseri and Nevsehir Kapadokya airports (for a fee),
which takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Rooms
Well-equipped and cozy cave and stone rooms -- some with fireplaces and balconies
There are a total
of 36 rooms of which 20 of them are rock-cut caves and 16 of them are
stone-arched rooms. Each has different layout and variations in decor and
furnishings, though all are decorated with a selection of local handicrafts and
regional furnishings. Modern amenities are excellent, providing free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibar, and flat-screen TVs. More importantly, many rooms
include lounges with fireplaces and open to balconies or terraces nestled among
the "fairy chimneys". Jetted soaking tubs can be found in most bathrooms, which also
include heated towel rails and wall-mounted hair dryers. Some rooms have
wonderful unique touches like an ancient cot in a small baby-room alcove.
Features
Turkish home-style cooking and evening dance shows
The hotel's Historia
Restaurant provides guests with a Turkish buffet breakfast each morning
(included in rate) as well as evening dinner buffets and a la carte regional
dishes cooked by local women -- giving the food a home-cooked feel. A wide
range of trips and excursions, including ballooning, can be organized though
the hotel as well as horseback riding, evening dance shows, and Whirling
Dervish ceremonies.