Ancient cave dwellings carved into Cappadocia's cliffs, where 5th-century history meets luxury in Turkey's most spectacular lunar landscape.
The complex includes ten interconnected cave houses with around 120 rooms and suites, plus a beautiful 19th-century Greek mansion at the base that serves as the main building. The name 'Yunak' comes from the old village fountain where women would gather to wash clothes and chat – the very heart of community life once up a time.
Getting around involves navigating a labyrinth of narrow stone passageways and curved staircases that wind through the mountain – it's all part of the experience.
Each room is individually designed with handcrafted furniture, kilims, and traditional antiques add warmth, the rooms are surprisingly spacious, many featuring private terraces with spectacular views over the landscape and famous fairy chimneys. Marble bathrooms add a touch of luxury, and the natural insulation of the rock keeps things wonderfully cool in summer (there are fans rather than air conditioning, which is typical for authentic cave hotels).
The Caverna Restaurant serves excellent Turkish and local Cappadocian dishes – think grape leaves, kebabs, and ravioli – with both indoor and outdoor dining areas overlooking the dramatic landscape. Breakfast is a generous open buffet with plenty of fresh local produce. There are two outdoor pools for lazy afternoons after a busy morning exploring, plus an indoor spa offering Balinese and Thai-inspired treatments if you fancy some pampering. In the evenings, guests often gather on Turkish cushions around the outdoor fireplace for sunset drinks, which has become something of a ritual here.
The hotel sits right in the centre of Ürgüp, making it a perfect base for exploring Cappadocia's underground cities, rock-hewn churches, and other-worldly landscape.
