A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION STYLE IN TURKEY

Writer: Ayça Olcaytu İşçen
May 2009

I have placed diligently in one of the drawers of memory the pleasure of my first night in one of the cave hotels of Cappadocia. In Turkey, cave hotels can be found only Cappadocia and it is not possible to underestimate the number of visitors who come to the region just to accommodate in one of them.
The tourists visiting our country not only would like to see standards like hygiene, comfort and good service but also would like to see sign of our culture. Cappadocia region responds in a perfect way to this request by its very special geological formation as well as by collating our traditional cultural values with today’s modern perception. Of course there are many choices in the region with many stars.

From Hittites to 21st century
In Cappadocia region, cave houses, carved into the rocks, have been the traditional housing style since Hittite period; these have been added to residence style arched tuff stone houses of the period when the Greeks were in the region. It is possible to see the best examples of these tuff stone houses especially in Ürgüp and Mustafapaşa. The spectacular ornamentations were used on the external walls whereas wooden decorations and wall paintings were used in internally.
Today’s most preferable accommodation style is the boutique hotels including traditional cave houses and arched houses, redecorated by a modern touch. Beside the cave houses and arched residences, the dovecotes which have been carved into the rocks to have pigeon dung to be used in the vineyards, also were turned into elegant hotels.
The unique hotels of Cappadocia provide comfort on a high level. In fact, some of them hosted queens, bureaucrats and celebrities with a honor. Carefully selected fabrics, ornamented clothes, antique materials, jacuzzis or Turkish baths, living rooms with fire places, private terraces, technological blessings like wireless internet, DVD players and LCD TVs, as well as restaurants with traditional food menu, etc etc what can you ask more? If you want to know and feel more about Cappadocia region you should try these unique hotels which bring you the characteristic natural aroma of the region together with cultural aesthetic and comfort.

Note: This article has been published in Peribacası Cappadocia Culture and Publicity Magazine, May 2009 issue. It is under protection of the copyrights of the magazine. No part of this article may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by electronic, mechanical or other means without prior permission from the owner. www.cappadociaexplorer.com