The Ultimate Cave Hotel Experience in Cappadocia
Photos by Jennifer Simonson
A recent trip to Cappadocia ruined my travel from here on out. I have a new standard for a destination. If it doesn’t look like it’s plucked out of a fairy tale with hundreds of hot air balloons floating above the sunrise every morning, I don’t want to go. If my hotel doesn’t let me sleep in an ancient cave once used to house early Christians escaping the Roman Empire, I do not want to stay there. And if I can’t drink freshly squeezed pomegranate juice while watching those balloons float across the sky during breakfast, I am out.
For those who do not know, Cappadocia, Turkey, is a dreamy landscape in central Anatolia where history whispers from every nook and cranny. Millions of years of volcanic activity shaped the area into a moon-like terrain of “fairy chimney” rock formations, sprawling valleys and intricate underground cave system. The ancient volcanic ash acts as a perfect mirror for the sun’s rays, creating a dramatic canvas that shifts colors with the rising and setting sun. Those dramatic sunrises attract thousands of visitors to the region every year just to watch the famous hot air balloons float across the morning horizon. Western Turkey is one of the world’s oldest civilizations dating back 10,000 years, so beyond its geological marvels a rich cultural tapestry is woven through centuries of Hittite, Roman, and Ottoman influences. This is most evident in its cuisine, architecture and artisanal crafts. Churches carved into ancient caves and adorned with Byzantine frescoes tell the tale of early Christian settlers seeking refuge.
Where to Stay
Argos in Cappadocia sits atop the eastern slope of Uçhisar (touted as one of Cappadocia’s prettiest towns) on a high plateau overlooking the enchanting Pigeon Valley. The elevated position gives the hotel unrivaled panoramic views of the valley’s scenic rock formations. Beneath the surface are intricate, interconnecting underground cities. In 1996 a Turkish entrepreneur bought a crumbling dwelling in an abandoned area near the town of Uçhisar with the idea of building a home. However, the discovery of an ancient monastery mixed with an expansive network of caves and tunnels under the site led him to a new business idea: a hotel. These caves, once homes and spiritual retreats, have been meticulously restored using locally quarried hard yellowstone to create 51 rooms spread across seven mansions. Argos in Cappadocia has evolved from a monastery to a linseed oil factory and finally to the luxurious hotel it is today.
Hotel guests can take advantage of Argos’ unique history by journeying through the monastery’s underground web of interconnected tunnels. Hotel guides lead guests through the tunnels pointing out ceilings still black from centuries of cooking indoors so flames would be hidden from would-be intruders, small holes in the wall that once served as an area to tie up animals and large empty vats used to stomp grapes to extract juice to turn into wine.
Because of its location high on the hill, panoramic views can be seen at almost every point of the hotel. No two hotel rooms are alike, but most have antique Turkish carpets, wardrobes with intricately carved wooden doors, and the traditional fireplace. Four rooms even have an in-room pool for private dips anytime day or night. Argos has won numerous awards including the World Luxury Hotels Awards two years in a row.
