What about sleeping in a Cave Hotel? Try these underground accommodations
Whether you're seeking romance, adventure, or simple rejuvenation, these properties deliver experiences money simply cannot replicate elsewhere.
Cave hotels offer you the opportunity to experience a unique encounter: sleeping in ancient geological formations converted into sanctuaries where luxury and comfort blend in perfect harmony.
From the volcanic cliffs of Greece to the fairy chimneys of Turkey's Cappadocia region, these accommodations combine natural wonder with modern comfort.
But without neglecting environmental protection and the commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism.
Cave Hotel: where to sleep?
Iconic, Santorini 🇬🇷
The boutique cave hotel sits 1,000 feet above the sapphire Aegean Sea. Iconic Santorini is literally carved from the ancient volcanic caldera that forms Santorini's iconic cliffside. The hotel, in conjunction with its surroundings, offers natural formations with modern architectural integration.
🛋️ Amennities & Experience
- Private indoor plunge pools in suites (some rooms feature them).
- Outdoor infinity pool overlooking the volcano.
- Spa & wellness treatments.
- Mediterranean cuisine.
- 24-hour concierge service.
- Free breakfast served daily on the terraces.
🛎️ Practical Travel Information
- Check-In: 3:00 PM | Check-Out: 12:00 PM.
- Best season: April-May and September-October offer ideal weather and fewer crowds than the summer months.
- Peak Season: June-August brings heat and tourists; winter sees limited operations.
- Included: Daily breakfast, free WiFi, complimentary airport transfers (confirm when booking).
Sustainable Practices 🌿
The hotel emphasizes organic, locally-sourced dining and works with local suppliers to minimize environmental impact. Water conservation and energy management are integrated throughout operations.
You can make your reservation directly on their website or use platforms like Booking.
Aquatio Cave, Matera 🇮🇹
The cave hotel opened in 2018, Aquatia was designed and built within centuries-old natural tuff caves. The hotel is the work of renowned architect Simone Micheli and is located in the Sassi district of Matera, Italy.
Aquatia combines modern minimalist design with a touch of ancient tuff dwellings dating back centuries. Each of the 35 rooms occupies chambers naturally carved into the hillside.
Some of the hotel's underground spaces date back to the 9th century. The bonus is that guests are literally housed within ancient rock formations.
🛋️ Amennities & Experience
- Indoor heated pool carved into natural rock.
- Hammam and sauna baths.
- Sensory showers are housed in recovered ancient cisterns.
- Wine cellar with tasting opportunities.
- Four restaurants and lounges with Pigeon Valley views.
- Free breakfast buffet with local products.
- Traditional cuisine.
🛎️ Practical Travel Information
- Check-In: 3:00 PM | Check-Out: 11:00 AM.
- Best Season: April-May and September-October.
- Peak season: July provides long daylight hours perfect for evening exploration, but brings intense heat.
- Avoid season: November-February for limited daylight and occasional closures.
- Included: Daily breakfast buffet, free WiFi, 60 minutes spa/pool access, welcome amenities.
- Perfect destination for honeymoons.
Sustainable Practices 🌿
Strong emphasis on local sourcing—the restaurant features regional Basilicata wines and locally-grown ingredients. The spa uses natural rock formations and recycled materials wherever possible. Aquatia actively partners with local cultural initiatives, supporting artisans and heritage preservation.
You can make your reservation directly on their website or use platforms like Expedia.
Kayakapi Premium Caves, Cappadocia 🇹🇷
Kayakapi Premium Caves represents a masterpiece of historical restoration. This cave hotel is located in the Kayakapi neighborhood—one of Urgup's original 18th-century settlements built for wealthy Ottoman tax collectors—the hotel has restored hundreds of ancient cave homes and historical structures.
This is the first boutique hotel in Cappadocia to receive official licensing from Turkey's Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Also, UNESCO supports it and sits within the Göreme National Park and Cappadocia Rock Sites, a UNESCO World Heritage area since 1985.
Kayakapi Caves features a 10th-century cave church, a mosque dating to the Seljuq Empire, and the House of St. John the Russian on its grounds.
The hotel was built in restored ancient cave dwellings naturally excavated from soft volcanic tuff. It also features rooms carved directly into the hillside at varying heights.
Spending a few days at this hotel allows you to experience life as the region's inhabitants did centuries ago.
🛋️ Amennities & Experience
- Full spa with massage and wellness treatments.
- Sauna, steam room, and traditional hammam.
- Two on-site restaurants.
- Rooftop bar with hot air balloon views.
- Rooms with underfloor heating.
- Rich daily breakfast buffet with Cappadocian and international specialties.
🛎️ Practical Travel Information
- Check-In: 3:00 PM | Check-Out: 12:00 PM.
- Best Season: April-May and September-October offer perfect weather with fewer crowds.
- Peak Season: July-August brings intense heat and peak tourism.
- Included: Daily breakfast buffet, free WiFi, free parking, free shuttle to Urgup town center upon request.
Sustainable Practices 🌿
The hotel prioritizes environmental responsibility through careful restoration practices that preserve historic structures. Energy and water conservation measures are integrated throughout. Local suppliers provide most food and materials, supporting regional communities. The property respects the protected UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
You can make your reservation directly on their website or use platforms like TripAdvisor or call the hotel phone: +90 384 341 6020.
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FAQS
How much is a cave hotel per night?
Cave hotel prices vary significantly based on location, season, and luxury level. Here's what you can expect:
- Iconic Santorini (Greece): From $308-$635 per night during promotional periods, with regular rates typically $400-$1,600 per night depending on suite type and season. Peak summer months command premium pricing.
- Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel (Italy): Average rates from $225-$354 per night, offering excellent value for a 5-star UNESCO heritage location. Prices can reach $330+ during peak season.
- Kayakapi Premium Caves (Turkey): Very competitive pricing from $102-$329 per night, with average rates around $231. Budget-conscious travelers find exceptional value here.
Book directly through hotel websites for exclusive deals, or travel during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for significantly lower rates—sometimes 40-50% off peak pricing. Multi-night stays often unlock additional discounts and perks.
What is a cave hotel?
A cave hotel is a unique accommodation carved directly into natural rock formations, cliff faces, or mountainsides—or built within existing ancient cave dwellings. Unlike conventional hotels constructed from modern materials, cave hotels utilize geological formations as structural foundations, creating rooms within the earth itself.
What makes cave hotels unique?
Cave hotels offer experiences impossible to replicate in traditional accommodations. Here's what sets them apart:
- Architectural Wonder: Each room is genuinely one-of-a-kind.
- Natural Climate Control: Rock's thermal mass provides natural insulation, maintaining comfortable temperatures year-round.
- Living History: You're not just visiting history—you're sleeping in it. Many cave hotels occupy spaces inhabited continuously for hundreds or thousands of years.
- Tranquility & Privacy: Thick rock walls provide exceptional soundproofing and privacy.
- Breathtaking Settings: Cave hotels occupy some of Earth's most dramatic landscapes—volcanic calderas plunging into azure seas, fairy chimneys rising from lunar valleys, ancient stone cities carved into canyon walls.
Pamela Herrera
