Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Ayvali, Cappadocia, Turkey
Nominated By: Dee Andrews, Boulder, Colorado, December '09

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Price Range: 115-1200 Euro (breakfast included) (Gosh darn it!) # of Rooms: 25 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Gamirasu Cave Hotel so Darn Good? We arrived late in the evening in a very small and remote Turkish village. The night was dark and we felt some trepidation, but once we walked onto the grounds, it was just magical. We felt like we were in another world with the caves lit up around us, and the lights sparkling in the trees. The rooms are very luxurious, the staff is friendly, the food is great, and the views and atmosphere are so different and unique. Gamirasu is truly a very special place.

Location: The Gamirasu Cave Hotel is in the small village of Ayvali, a tweny minute drive south of Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia. Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination known for its distinctive rock formations, cave churches and houses, and underground cities. The closest airport in Nevsehir is 45 km away, and the hotel will pick guests up free of charge.

Rooms: Gamirasu is a combination of seven ancient troglodyte cave houses with twenty-five rooms, each one amazingly restored and different from the next. All of the rooms are decorated with traditional Cappadocian rugs, and many have traditional sitting corners and fireplaces. Part of the hotel is located in a thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat, and some of the rooms were actually monk cells.

Food: The breakfast buffet is wonderful and plentiful with such treats as home-made jams, locally dried apricots, and fresh cream. We did not eat dinner at the hotel restaurant, but we did have an impromptu lunch one afternoon which was perfect. The kitchen did a great job meeting our quick requests, especially the Turkish grilled cheese for our two daughters! Ayvali has one restaurant, the neighboring town of Mustafapasa has a few more, and Urgup has a bustling nightlife and restaurant scene.

Vibe: Gamirasu is mysterious, exotic, luxurious, and historical.

Keep in Mind: Some of the sites are a bit of a drive from the hotel. Guests who pay in cash receive a 10% discount.

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