Nestled in rocky mountains or tucked beneath ancient rolling hills, these subterranean stays perfect the combination of quirky and comfortable for travellers to explore the world beneath our feet.
GRAND CANYON CAVE SUITE, USA (pictured above)
The Cave Motel Room at Grand Canyon Caverns is one of the oldest, largest, darkest, deepest and quietest motel rooms in the world, sitting more than 67 metres below the ground. The cavern took 65 million years to form and the space is 60 metres wide and 120 metres long, giving guests the feeling of being the only people in the world. Luckily, the space has been thoughtfully furnished with soft lighting, double beds, couches, a television and a library of books that dates back to the late 1800’s, as well as a collection of National Geographic magazines that started in 1917, to help guests feel at home in such an overwhelming space.
www.gccaverns.com
KELEBEK HOTEL, TURKEY
Perched above the village of Goreme with sweeping views over Capadocia and the valleys beyond, The Kelebek Special Cave Hotel offers luxury stays for travellers with rooms that are thousands of years old. Starting as a guesthouse for backpackers, the Kelebek hotel now boasts a tranquil rose garden, swimming pool, luxury spa and views of hot air balloon rides at sunrise, along with luxury suites and traditional fairy chimney rooms. These heritage cave rooms are housed in real ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations, creating a whimsical and comforting atmosphere. www.kelebekhotel.com
LA DIMORA DI MOTELLO HOTEL, ITALY
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera in southern Italy is home to the boutique cave hotel La Dimora Di Metello, a four-room hotel and spa housed in an ancient limestone grotto. Ideal for those looking for an authentic travel experience in one of the most unique ancient cities of Italy, each room perfectly blends modern elegance with the natural history and beauty of the rock formation. Every room includes a terrace which overlooks the district for guests to enjoy a complimentary breakfast while watching the sun rise over the ancient hills. www.ladimoradimetello.com
WOODLYN PARK HOBBIT MOTEL, NEW ZEALAND
In the beautiful Waitomo Village in the North Island of New Zealand sits Woodlyn Park. The Hobbit Motel is built beneath green rolling hills where sheep happily wander and rest. The quirky, rounded ‘Hobbit’ rooms prioritise comfort, with plenty of space for a luxurious queen bed, kitchen and lounging area. The cosy, cottage-style rooms are scaled for guests of all sizes and the park’s peaceful location is only a short drive from the Hobbiton movie set and the famous glow-worm caves. www.woodlynpark.nz
LA CLAUSTRA HOTEL, SWITZERLAND
More than just a simple trip to the Swiss Alps, the La Claustra Hotel offers travellers the chance to stay underground in a former army fortress that is nestled in the rocky face of the mountain. The 17 room hotel focuses on luxury, promising all the modern comforts of a hotel suite, as well as highlighting the extraordinary natural history of the space. The one-of-a-kind mountain hotel includes a restaurant, sauna and swimming pool, with open dining and social spaces for taking in the pristine views of the greenery and rock formations of the Alps. www.claustra.ch
DESERT CAVE HOTEL, COOPER PEDY
Opened in 1988 in the famous opal mining town of Coober Pedy, the underground Desert Cave Hotel embraces the history and raw, red earth of the Australian outback for a truly unique holiday. Although there are above-ground rooms, travellers are encouraged to choose an underground room for their visit to experience the quiet, cool and spacious accommodation, surrounded by natural rock and stonework and high ceilings. Guests can also enjoy the underground café, shops, dining room and bar for a game of underground pool. www.desertcave.com.au
KOKOPELLI’S CAVE, USA
Built into the vertical cliffs of Tertiary Ojo Alamo sandstone, Kokopelli’s Cave is a man-made bed and breakfast with rooms that include a master bedroom, living area, dining area, full kitchen and waterfall shower and spa bath. The cave itself sits more than 20 metres below the surface, with the entrance located down sloping sandstone steps cut into the cliff face. Each room has its own terrace that overlooks the beautiful La Plata Valley, and travellers are encouraged to enjoy a meal in the outdoor dining area at sunset or gaze at the stars once the sun has gone down. www.kokoscave.us
This article was originally published in Issue 13 – Kindness Every Day. You can purchase this issue and enjoy more enchanting content here.
