TAFONI HOUSES CAVE HOTEL

The region of Cappadocia is famous for its ancient cave dwellings, some of which have been turned into guest lodgings. The striking Tafoni Houses Cave Hotel, located in the village of Ortahisar, is one of the best. The name refers to the bird nests that form at the tops of the region’s naturally occurring rock pillars, and the hotel takes inspiration from the concept — though with its sweeping terraces, art gallery, and fine dining, Tafoni Houses feels more grand than cozy.

Fashioned out of the site’s rock caves and the original housing built into them, the hotel’s suites are each named after a different bird’s nest. No two are alike, though all have large windows, stone archways, and colorful tiled floors. Some feature details that were uncovered during excavations of the old dwellings, like iron window grates, old-fashioned fireplaces, and interior doors painted charming shades of blue. Others are more luxurious with custom chandeliers and marble Jacuzzis. The best suites are almost museum-like, displaying carefully restored antiques and decorative art objects, and their palatial bathrooms are show-stoppers, crafted from marble and stone brought in from all over Türkiye.