Hospitality giant Hilton has opened its first-ever “cave hotel,” adding centuries-old, restored underground accommodation to its worldwide portfolio. Located in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, known for its distinctive UNESCO World Heritage landscapes of fairy chimneys and rock-carved dwellings, Elika Cave Suites are part of the brand’s “Curio Collection,” a global series of 200 “individually-remarkable hotels hand-picked to immerse guests in one-of-a-kind moments in the world’s most sought-after destinations,” a press release said.
The 36-room venue combines natural volcanic formations with human ingenuity, showcasing Cappadocia’s vernacular architecture at a site alongside Ortahisar Castle – one of the region’s most iconic natural landmarks. The individually-designed rooms and suites are shaped by the original cave structures and hand-finished with local craftsmanship. Materials include stone, textiles, and ceramics, while facilities include private pools, traditional hammam spas, and hot tubs, set among winding pathways and offering panoramic vistas of the neighbouring valleys.
David Kelly, senior vice president, Continental Europe, Hilton, pointed out how long Hilton has been investing in Türkiye. “For 70 years, Hilton has been welcoming guests across Türkiye,” he said, adding that: “The opening of Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia, Curio Collection by Hilton, builds on that commitment and reflects the strong momentum behind our lifestyle growth.”
In Türkiye, one in five Hilton hotels is a lifestyle property that, like the latest Elika venture, leans heavily into destination-rooted stays that appeal to today’s travel consumer through a sense of authenticity and heritage. The hotel’s culinary approach is similar, inspired by time-honoured Cappadocian and Anatolian cuisine, seasonality, and local sourcing.
Ortahisar itself is recognised as a “Cittaslow town” or “slow city,” embracing a philosophy that prizes a “quieter, more grounded perspective of the region … defined by character and a true sense of place.” This approach, Hilton says, “allows guests to move beyond observation and into curated moments that connect them with the broader narrative of Cappadocia, its daily rhythms, craftsmanship and living heritage.”
Nilüfer Durukan, general manager, Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia, Curio Collection by Hilton, said, “We are pleased to welcome our guests to Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia, Curio Collection by Hilton – an individually remarkable hotel designed to tell a bespoke story rooted in the spirit of Cappadocia. Our objective was to preserve the region’s heritage while offering contemporary comfort and one-of-a-kind moments formed by local identity and a global perspective. Here, history is not only seen but experienced, becoming part of each guest’s journey.”
