Grand Cave Suites

Located in the historic town of Goreme, Grand Cave Suites is built into natural rock and surrounded by the region's famous "fairy chimney" rock formations. The hotel is composed of off-white stone and carved rock, and features finished natural-wood doors, window frames, and furniture. Its courtyards house old carts and Victorian-style seating areas on terraces with views over the town. Both inside and out, the hotel is decorated with a variety of handmade ceramics, which can be purchased on-site. Inside, the classically influenced handmade motif continues, with stone walls and floors, and Ottoman-style furniture -- though the reception area breaks the mold with its contemporary desks and office chairs. Aside from the outdoor terrace, the only public space is the rustic breakfast room that features wooden tables covered in blue tablecloths, large picture windows, and exposed wood-beam ceilings. As with most hotels in the area, the cave-style rooms, rustic-historic decor, and scenic vistas give the space a romantic vibe. Though families and groups of friends are common, most guests are vacationing couples.

Grand Cave Suites is ideal for travelers seeking a convenient and quiet home base while visiting the historic town of Goreme in Cappadocia. Located in an old residential neighborhood surrounded by Goreme National Park, the hotel is a five-minute walk to the center of town, which is home to restaurants, shops, tour meeting points, and an ATM. However, the hotel's uphill location and lack of elevator may be challenging for some. Other cultural and historic sights are within varying driving distances. Goreme Open Air Museum is five minutes away by car, while the traditional stone architecture of the old village of Urgup is a 20-minute trip. Istanbul is an 11-hour trip by bus -- the station is a five-minute walk from the hotel -- or about eight to nine hours by car. The closest airport is Nevsehir/Kapadokya Airport, about 40 minutes away, but travelers from the States will most likely arrive at Kayseri Airport, about 60 to 75 minutes from Grand Cave Suites. 

While several of the surrounding hotels have cave-style rooms, Grand Cave Suites has the real deal. The 19-room boutique houses 16 individually decorated and shaped cave suites and three Deluxe Cave Rooms. All are spacious, with stone walls and floors -- some have stone ceilings, while others have exposed wood beams. The decor is classic Ottoman, including Turkish rugs and finished natural-wood furniture with decorative fabrics. All rooms have electric blankets in the winter, though the lack air-conditioning in hotter months may be a deal breaker (some guests have noted that rooms can get hot in the summer). Each unit has a small closet, coffee/tea facilities, minibar, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TV. There's also a private bathroom (some with mosaic tile walls) that includes a whirlpool tub plus shower (or separate shower in some), terrycloth robes, and a nice selection of toiletries that range from shampoo to toothpaste. Some rooms have balconies where guests can snag a good view of the hot air balloons floating by. 

While rooms are charming here, features are a bit thin, putting this hotel solidly in the three-pearl category. Every booking includes a free daily buffet breakfast of locally sourced items, served in the breakfast room or guest rooms. Guests typically give high marks to the spread of eggs and omelets, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, cheese, marmalades and honey, and fresh juices. The best public space at the hotel is the beautiful terrace, set with elegant Ottoman-style seating and pretty displays of pottery. There's also an on-site concierge/tour desk that can book and recommend local activities like hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia tours, visits to the Turkish Baths, horse rides, and cultural experiences. The hotel offers a free Rose Valley sunset hike for guests as well. Shuttle bus service can be arranged for trips to the airport or around town, and free airport shuttles are offered with specific bookings, so check ahead. Grand Cave Suites has a 24-hour front desk that also sells handmade ceramics. Freebies include parking in the large on-site lot, and high-speed Wi-Fi.