Created from the restored ruins of an ancient village, carved deep into a cliff face years ago, the Museum Hotel is a real one-off. It overlooks a breathtaking landscape of rose-coloured ravines, dramatic rock formations and the distant volcanic cone of Mount Erciyes. The stone structure dates back thousands of years, previously home to Hittites, Persians and early Christian Romans who lived in the caves that now offer high-end accommodation.
Located in the in Central Anatolia in Turkey, a region known for its moon-like landscapes and underground cities, the Museum Hotel sits below the grand Uçhisar castle, the highest geographical point in Cappadocia, which is one of Turkey’s world heritage sites. The Museum Hotel was the first luxury hotel established in the area after owner Ömer Tosun commenced an extensive restoration program 20 years ago that involved the dedicated restoration of thousand-year-old ruins (10 dwellings and 60 caves in total). The entire hotel was constructed by hand using the finest authentic materials and brought back to its original state. This is by no means your typical hotel stay, so be prepared for the experience of a lifetime.
Rooms
The hotel boasts 30 rooms and suites, former carved rock households which were selected and transformed into the luxury guestrooms of nowadays. Hotel name aptly reflects what awaits visitors above the threshold of each room. Former interior, remembering all the generations of inhabitants adapted their difficulty, overflowing their hopes, now they serve guests with their warm and cozy atmosphere. Although today provide all the comfort, they retained the original layout and furniture and decor are located on the former places. Staying here is an encounter with the spirit of the rich history and magic still undiscovered in this land.
Guests can experience a unique living in a museum experience with a number of historical items and antiquities on display throughout the caves including relics from the 16th century. The owner is an antique collector, whose impressive collection of tapestries, furniture, robes and objets d’art from Roman and Ottoman times decorates the hotel’s maze of walkways and its 30 lavish rooms, hence the name. No room is alike, with each bringing its own special ambiance, contributing to Museum Hotel‘s evident character and charm. All are stunning, with vaulted ceilings, silk furnishings, mosaics and marble bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs. The Sultan’s Cave, one of the most unique rooms in Cappadocia, is a two-cave space only accessible via a private tunnel, with one vaulted stone room, a private wine cellar and two bathrooms. Surely, for history buffs who like the five-star treatment, it’s the ultimate holiday.
The Restaurant
Lil’a is the Museum Hotel’s gourmet à la carte restaurant offering guests the finest examples of Turkish and regional cuisine. The dining room is sophisticated in decor and offers a fantastic view. The hotel produces organic vegetables and fruits in its ecological garden for use at Lil’a. With its award-winning and rare Turkish cuisine made with the finest ingredients and produce from its own organic garden, Lil’a promises an unforgettable, world-class gastronomic experience.
What to do
A stay at Museum Hotel means to laze on the flower-filled terraces or pamper yourself with a spa treatment in the privacy of your cave or, during the summer, on the massage terrace with a dramatic view of the Cappadocian landscape or even indulge you in a swim in the beautiful infinity pool and admire the panoramic views of Göreme, Red Valley and Pigeon Valley. Last but not least, men can have a daily shave from the barber’s chair with the world’s most beautiful view. Because Turkish barbers are renowned for their skill and precision, employing traditional techniques like singeing stray ear hairs. Every morning on the terrace, you can watch one in action or better yet, male guests can take own turn in the barber’s chair. They can enjoy a haircut or meticulous shave against the setting of a golden sunrise and balloon-filled sky.
If the water feature, flowers and view have relaxed you enough that you’re ready to venture further, the Museum Hotel offers many tours. The standout ones are the morning walking tour with Tosun and the vineyard tour in the valley (Cappadocia is known for its great wines). You can play in cross golf (variety of golf played, in order to protect the environment, the natural terrain) in the only place UNESCO Heritage Site, due to the natural, in which sightseeing balloon flights are permitted as well as horseback riding, morning hikes, Turkish culinary arts lessons or admiring the Whirling Dervishes, a traditional turkish meditative dance (watch the video to learn more).
In the end
There are hotels that are nothing more than a place to rest your head at night. And then there are hotels like the Museum Hotel, magical properties that leave an imprint on your memory, raise your standards for what good hospitality means and add something truly invaluable to your travel experience.
