Traveller’s Cave Hotel
There is something unmistakable and immediately recognisable about the deep, fiery roar that a hot air balloon flame makes as it gracefully bobs up and down amidst a glowing sunrise sky. This is the sound we were woken up by outside our hotel room door when staying at Traveller’s Cave Hotel in Göreme, Cappadocia.
Cappadocia has been a bucket-list destination for me for years, so we took a great deal of care to ensure the hotel we chose for our stay was going to be not only picturesque — it was a long journey to get to this region in Türkiye, so we wanted to make it count! — but also comfortable and authentic to the area’s heritage and culture.
Perched on one of the highest points in Göreme town is the charming Traveller’s Cave Hotel, a boutique hotel offering panoramic and unobstructed views of the fairy chimney–style rock formations that define the town’s iconic landscape.
The stuff of fairytales as a backdrop already, staying inside the walls of an actual cave is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our room was carved directly into the soft volcanic rock (known as tuff), which is something this region of Türkiye is famous for. The cave room’s rustic appeal, coupled with gorgeous décor that transports you back in time alongside modern comforts for a relaxing stay, makes this a real gem.
Here is everything you need to know about what it’s like to stay here, based on my own experience…
Located in the hilltops of Göreme
Traveller’s Cave Hotel is arguably one of the best-positioned hotels in Göreme. It sits atop one of the highest hilltops within the ancient cave town, making it an impossibly beautiful and unique hotel experience. With themed rooms that overlook the rest of the old town and rooftop lookout points offering sweeping views across the surrounding landscape of Cappadocia, it’s impossible not to have your breath taken away.
It’s worth noting that, like much of Göreme, the area is quite hilly, so expect a steep uphill walk from the bus station to the hotel. The height makes those incredible views possible, but it comes at a cost! Those with mobility issues may struggle, as there are a lot of stairs throughout the property.
What it’s like staying inside a cave!
There’s an obvious reason (beyond the hot air balloons!) that makes this stay unique: the fact that you’re able to stay inside an actual cave.
The history of cave dwellings is fascinating and synonymous with the region. Many settlers and communities sheltered from persecution within these caverns as far back as the 4th century AD, living within the volcanic rock formations and carving out tunnels and rooms that can still be explored today. During our stay, we were able to visit hidden chapels and churches carved into rock and tucked away from plain sight.
In terms of staying inside a cave hotel, I can tell you from experience that it’s very peaceful and quiet, with little sound permeating the rock walls — making for a blissful night’s sleep. The rooms are incredibly cosy — partly due to the décor chosen by Traveller’s Cave Hotel, which features historical artefacts and knick-knacks, low lighting and Turkish rugs — and partly because the curved ceilings and imperfect wall textures offer such rustic charm and warmth.
The rock interior also keeps the room pleasantly cool in the hot summer months, which was much appreciated! The hotel also offers the option to have a fire lit inside the room — I can only imagine how cosy and dreamy that must be in winter.
We decided to splurge on a Deluxe Double Room, and it did not disappoint — we had our own little courtyard, a very spacious room with a huge bed, plus a jacuzzi bath and fireplace. Just gorgeous!
A beautiful breakfast
Personally, I’m not a huge breakfast person, but it was hard not to enjoy coming down to breakfast each morning here! The hotel’s selection of food was vast, and I’d challenge even the fussiest of eaters not to find something they love. From salads and breads to fresh fruit, honey, and traditional Turkish treats, as well as fresh Turkish tea and coffee, it was a delight to fill up before heading out for a day of exploration.
If you are looking for other authentic restaurants in Cappadocia, check out this blog post highlighting 5 of my favourites!
The views…
One of the best things about Traveller’s Cave Hotel is its incredible panoramic views, overlooking striking rock formations, valleys and the desert beyond.
From sunrise to sunset, it’s mesmerising to peer out at the scenery and marvel at your surroundings as the faint hum of the call to prayer echoes through the rocks.
Their commitment to a beautiful photo op also extends to the outdoor rooftop areas, where there are several spots designed to capture that perfect picture to send back home. There are props for those wanting to take fun Instagram photos, which double up as cute chill-out areas to enjoy a glass of Turkish tea at the end of the day.
The grounds are also immaculately maintained, dotted with fruit trees and manicured lawns with flowers scattered around the property.
Booking trips and excursions
If you’re looking to book trips and excursions during your stay, the front office offers plenty of opportunities. Their trips are vetted by the hotel, so you can have peace of mind about the quality and reliability. We chose to organise our excursions ourselves, but it’s handy to know the option is there. You can also book most trips on arrival, which relieves the pressure of planning everything far in advance. Some tour ideas include horse riding tours, Jeep tours and, of course, hot air balloon rides.
Note: About hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia
Something important to know before booking a trip to Cappadocia is to plan enough time for your stay — especially if a hot air balloon ride is on your list. We were lucky to see the balloons from our room on two of the five mornings we stayed.
Hot air balloon trips are very weather-dependent, and reputable organisers cancel flights if conditions aren’t favourable. We met some guests who were only staying one or two nights and sadly missed out due to windy weather.
I’d highly recommend staying longer and booking your balloon ride early in your trip to increase your chances of flying. Plus, Göreme has much more to offer than just balloon rides — there’s plenty to see and do to make your extended visit worthwhile!
Most balloon flights are paid for in cash on the day, so keep that in mind when booking. There are cash machines in town if you need to withdraw money.
Getting there
The hotel conveniently offers airport transfers for those needing transport to and from the airport. We arrived by FlixBus at the bus terminal and simply walked the 14 minutes to the hotel. The walk, though well paved, is steep and uphill, so I’d recommend taking a taxi if you have a lot of luggage.
Pricing
A five-night stay for two people from the end of June to the beginning of July in a Deluxe Double Room cost us £662. This included breakfast and daily housekeeping — as well as those frankly priceless hot air balloon views each morning.
If you want to experience the same view we did, request Room 6.
The stuff of Pinterest dreams
There are few hotel stays as unique as this one — offering a cosy interior with traditional Turkish décor and a hilltop location where your front door opens out to stunning sunrise views of dozens of hot air balloons floating around you in the early morning.
This hotel is the stuff of Pinterest dreams and beautiful bucket lists, all while providing affordable luxury and incredible comfort. I’d highly recommend it!
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
