World's Most Unusual Hotels: A Luxury Cave Hotel in Turkey
Cappadocia, a region in central Turkey, is known for its cave hotels, and the Aydinli Cave Hotel may be one of the most luxurious ones out there.
The boutique guesthouse is located in Göreme, Turkey, and has been restored to offer all the modern comforts of home while still retaining its historical charm — some parts of the hotel are thought to be up to 500 years old. The building itself was carved out of the natural stone of Cappadocia, which is ideal for creating rooms, but also holds up under pressure and withstands extreme weather conditions.
The Aydinli Cave Hotel offers 14 rooms, each unique and furnished with local handmade goods and Turkish antiques.
Rooms offer amenities such as wardrobes, towels, slippers, Wi-Fi, hair dryers, telephones, heat, fridges, coffee makers, a safe and air conditioning. A few rooms even have fireplaces.
Some of the rooms offer natural light. There are spaces for solo travelers, couples and families, so you have options when it comes to choosing the one that's right for you. If you're in the mood to splurge, the King Suite is the perfect place to relax and recharge. One of the largest cave rooms in Cappadocia, it was once used as a barn for more than 20 animals, but there's nothing barn-like about it now. The massive luxury space comes with a dream bathroom: an antique claw-foot bathtub, a huge Jacuzzi and Turkish hammam (steam room), plus a makeup table with a huge mirror.
The hotel is family-owned and has friendly, personal service. Though sleeping in the cave is amazing, the terrace, which juts out of the stone, may be the best part of this hotel, as its stunning panoramic views over the city of Göreme and the Rose Valley are incredible. Just a five-minute walk from the town center, this hotel gives you easy access to cafes, restaurants and shopping, though you may never want to leave.
The hotel even has a cool wine cave (a literal cave, in this case) that you can check out.
Room rates start at about $50 for a standard room and $95 for a suite, and include a Turkish breakfast with cheese, bread, jam, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, an egg or two and tea. The hotel can also organize guides, tours and other activities like hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia's stunning scenery.
Getting There
From the US, fly into Istanbul (IST), then take a short hop on Onur Air or low-cost carrier Pegasus to one of the closest airports, Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV), located about 40 minutes away by car, or Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR), which is about an hour from the cave hotel. Buses also run to Göreme from Istanbul, but the ride takes about eight hours.
Would you stay in this wacky hotel? Have you stayed there before? Sound off below!
All images courtesy of the Aydlini Cave Hotel unless otherwise noted.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees