Imagine checking into a hotel room that was carved straight out of solid rock centuries ago. These extraordinary accommodations take the concept of blending with nature to an entirely new level, offering guests the opportunity to sleep within ancient cliff faces and volcanic formations.
From the fairy chimneys of Turkey’s Cappadocia region to the limestone bluffs of the American Southwest, these cave hotels provide some of the most unique lodging experiences on Earth. Here is a list of 20 cave hotels that have been expertly carved into cliff sides, each offering a remarkable blend of natural wonder and modern comfort.
Argos in Cappadocia
This luxury retreat in Turkey occupies a series of caves and tunnels that date back over 1,300 years, originally serving as a Byzantine monastery. The property seamlessly weaves together ancient stone chambers with contemporary amenities, creating suites that feel both timeless and thoroughly modern.
Guests can soak in heated pools while gazing out at the otherworldly landscape of volcanic spires.
Museum Hotel
Perched on the highest point in Uchisar, Turkey, this boutique property transforms a collection of cave dwellings and fairy chimneys into an art-filled sanctuary. Each room occupies a space that was hand-carved from volcanic rock by ancient inhabitants seeking shelter from invading armies.
The hotel’s terraces offer panoramic views across the Cappadocian valleys, making sunrise here feel like witnessing the birth of the world.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Kayakapi Premium Caves
Located in Urgup, Turkey, this resort breathes new life into an 18th-century Greek village carved entirely from volcanic stone. The original inhabitants hollowed out these chambers to create cool refuges from the harsh Anatolian summers.
Today, guests enjoy underfloor heating and marble bathrooms within walls that have stood for centuries.
Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
This family-run property in Goreme transforms ancient cave dwellings into cozy accommodations that maintain their original architectural integrity. The thick stone walls provide natural insulation, keeping rooms cool in summer and warm in winter, without the need for modern climate control systems.
The hotel’s cave restaurant serves traditional Turkish cuisine in a dining room carved from solid rock.
Yunak Evleri
Spread across six historic cave houses in Urgup, this boutique hotel preserves the authentic character of traditional Cappadocian architecture. The property includes a 19th-century Greek mansion alongside the cave rooms, creating a complex that tells the story of the region’s multicultural past.
Each cave suite features original stone carvings and niches that once held oil lamps.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Sacred House
This adults-only retreat in Urgup occupies a meticulously restored cave complex that combines Ottoman elegance with contemporary luxury. The property’s hamam uses the natural contours of the volcanic rock to create steam chambers that evoke the ambiance of ancient Roman baths.
The cave suites feature handwoven textiles and antique furnishings that complement the timeless stone architecture.
Kokopelli’s Cave Bed & Breakfast
Carved 70 feet into a sandstone cliff in Farmington, New Mexico, this unique property began as a geologist’s experiment in alternative living. The 1,700-square-foot cave maintains a constant temperature year-round thanks to the natural insulation provided by tons of rock overhead.
Guests enjoy modern amenities, including a full kitchen and hot tub, all while staying in what feels like a luxurious sandstone retreat.
Grand Canyon Caverns Suite
Located 220 feet underground in Arizona, this accommodation holds the distinction of being the world’s deepest hotel room. The natural limestone cavern maintains a constant 56-degree temperature, creating a cool retreat from the desert heat above.
The suite features 1950s-era furnishings that lend it a retro, yet stylish feel reminiscent of a fallout shelter.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Caves Beach Resort
Perched along Jamaica’s dramatic coastline, this resort incorporates natural sea caves into its design, creating rooms that open directly onto hidden beaches. The limestone formations were carved by centuries of wave action, creating dramatic arches and grottos that serve as private terraces.
Guests can practically roll out of bed and into the Caribbean Sea.
La Grotta dei Fichi
This Italian retreat on the island of Favignana occupies caves that ancient tuff miners originally carved. The volcanic stone walls stay naturally cool even during Sicily’s blazing summers, making air conditioning unnecessary.
The property’s restaurant serves fresh seafood in a dining grotto that opens directly onto the Mediterranean.
Cuevas Pedro Antonio de Alarcón
Located in Guadix, Spain, these cave hotels continue a tradition of cave dwelling that dates back to the Moorish period. The chalk and clay hills provide perfect conditions for carving comfortable living spaces that remain cool in summer and warm in winter.
Each cave suite features traditional Spanish décor alongside modern bathrooms carved into the living rock.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Beckham Creek Cave Lodge
This Arkansas property transforms a massive natural cave into a luxury hunting lodge that sleeps up to 16 guests. The 6,000-square-foot cavern includes multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas, all carved into the Ozark Mountains.
The lodge maintains a constant temperature of 62 degrees year-round, making it comfortable in any season.
Sala Silvermine
Sweden’s Sala Silvermine offers guests the chance to sleep 509 feet underground in chambers that once produced silver for the Swedish crown. The mine’s tunnels maintain a constant temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, creating a naturally climate-controlled environment.
Guests descend by elevator to reach their subterranean suite, complete with beds carved into rock alcoves.
Les Hautes Roches
This Loire Valley château in France incorporates 15th-century troglodyte caves that were originally carved into the limestone cliffs by monks. The property combines traditional French elegance with the raw beauty of rooms carved directly from living rock.
The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant is situated in a series of interconnected caves, creating an intimate underground dining experience.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Gamirasu Cave Hotel
Housed in a 1,000-year-old Byzantine monastery in Cappadocia, this property preserves the spiritual atmosphere of its monastic origins. The cave churches and meditation chambers have been converted into guest rooms that maintain their sacred character.
The hotel’s chapel still features original Byzantine frescoes painted directly onto the volcanic rock walls.
Cappadocia Cave Resort & Spa
This luxury property in Göreme National Park is situated in caves that served as early Christian hideouts during the Roman persecution. The natural rock formations create rooms with curved walls and arched ceilings that no conventional architect could design.
The spa uses the caves’ natural acoustics to create treatment rooms where the sound of trickling water echoes off ancient stone.
Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa
Located on the Greek island of Crete, this resort incorporates sea caves into its coastal design, creating suites that open directly onto private coves. The limestone caves were formed over millennia by wave action, creating naturally sculpted rooms with dramatic ocean views.
Guests can swim in crystal-clear pools that extend from their cave terraces into the Mediterranean.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Hotel Maison Troglodyte
This French property in the Loire Valley transforms 12th-century troglodyte dwellings into modern accommodations that preserve their medieval character. The caves were originally carved by local residents who used the soft limestone for both shelter and wine storage.
Each room features original stone carvings and maintains the cool temperature that made these caves perfect for aging wine.
Cave Hotel Rural
Located in Spain’s Granada province, this eco-friendly retreat is situated in caves that families have inhabited for over 500 years. The property demonstrates how traditional cave architecture provides natural climate control without any environmental impact.
Guests enjoy modern amenities while living in harmony with the surrounding ancient landscape.
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
This Italian property in Matera transforms 18th-century cave dwellings into luxury suites that preserve the raw beauty of their stone architecture. The caves were carved from the same limestone that gives Matera its distinctive appearance, creating rooms that feel like natural extensions of the cliff face.
Each suite maintains the rustic character of traditional cave homes while providing contemporary comfort.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Ancient Refuge Meets Modern Comfort
These cave hotels represent humanity’s longest-running architectural tradition, adapted for contemporary travelers seeking unique experiences. From medieval monasteries to mining operations, each property tells the story of people who chose to live within the earth rather than merely upon it.
The natural temperature control and acoustic properties that made these spaces practical centuries ago now provide modern guests with eco-friendly luxury that no conventional hotel can match. These remarkable accommodations demonstrate that sometimes the most innovative hospitality experiences arise from embracing the oldest building techniques known to humanity.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Destinations That Are More Magical Without an Itinerary
- 20 Underrated Adventures That Belong on Your Travel List
- 20 Cities Where You Should Just Wing It, No Planning Required
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.N.