**Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Caftan Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey!**
ESCAPE TO PARADISE: UNBELIEVABLE CAFTAN CAVE SUITES IN GÖREME, TURKEY! - A Messy, Honest Review (and why you NEED to go!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I just got back from Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Caftan Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey! and I'm still picking the dust of Cappadocia off my… well, let's just say everything. So, you know I'm going to give it to you straight. Forget pristine travel blogs – this is the real deal, warts and all (and trust me, there weren't many warts at Escape to Paradise, thankfully!).
First off, let's be clear: GET YOURSELF TO GÖREME! This place is otherworldly. And staying in a cave hotel? Forget everything you think you know about hotels. This isn’t some dry, characterless chain; this is experience.
Accessibility? Okay, let's be real, it’s a cave! Meaning, you're going to have a bit of a mixed bag on that front. While I didn't specifically need wheelchair access, I DID notice the uneven, cobbled streets around Göreme itself that can be a bit of a challenge. Not ideal, but that's just the nature of the beast. The hotel itself, though, did have an elevator which a huge plus and it's a big help.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges? Honestly, I didn't see anything specifically labeled as "accessible" in the traditional sense but the helpful staff and general layout made it feel easier. Inside the main restaurant and the poolside bar, the spaces were open enough to feel comfortable, even with mobility challenges.
Cleanliness and Safety is paramount these days, right? And Escape to Paradise, seemed to take it seriously. The whole place practically gleamed. They were clearly using anti-viral cleaning products and everything felt seriously sanitized, including having hand sanitizers everywhere. You felt safe here, which, frankly, is such a relief when you’re wandering around a new country. They even had staff trained in safety protocol. Big thumbs up for that. They took great care of daily disinfection in common areas. They even had individually-wrapped food options and safe dining setup, which again, made you breathe a sigh of relief. They were serious about physical distancing of at least 1 meter too. I never felt overcrowded.
NOW, let's talk about the good stuff…
The Rooms! (and the Internet!)
Forget boring hotel rooms. We're talking cave suites! Like, actual rooms carved into the rock. Mine had a view that made me want to weep (in a good way!). Each was unique, beautifully decorated, and felt ridiculously romantic. They had air conditioning, which was a lifesaver, and blackout curtains, critical for sleeping in after a long day of exploring. Also, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! You won't miss out on all your Instagram stories. Mine also had a desk, laptop workspace, and safe box and they even offer complimentary tea.
Internet? Yes! Praise the Wi-Fi gods! Free Wi-Fi! Plus, Internet access – LAN if you are old school like me. I may or may not have needed to work from the room (don’t judge!), and the connection was generally good.
What to do?
Okay, so you're in Cappadocia! You CANNOT miss:
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: Seriously, do it. Book in advance. It's an experience that will forever be etched in your memory. Do it at Sunrise.
- Explore Göreme Open Air Museum: Wander around the ancient cave churches – the frescoes are insane!
- Hike through the valleys: The landscape is simply breathtaking. Just bring water!
- Sunset Views: Find a rooftop bar (most hotels offer them!) and watch the sun paint the fairytale chimneys.
Escape to Paradise themselves offer a good amount of things to do.
Spa, sauna and fitness center? Yes!! They had a gorgeous pool with a view, sauna, steamroom and spa, all available for your relaxation. I spent one afternoon just lounging by the pool – pure bliss! They even have a gym/fitness centre if you are feeling up to it. I did not, but it looked well equipped.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking… Oh, My!
Now, this is where things get seriously interesting…
- Breakfast: Buffet! They had a breakfast buffet with everything you could possibly want. Plenty of Asian and Western breakfast options. Coffee, fresh juices, you name it. They even offered breakfast in room – a seriously decadent option! And the staff were super accommodating, offering alternative meal arrangements and vegetarian restaurant options.
- Restaurant: The restaurant at the hotel was incredible, not like your basic hotel restaurant, far from it. They did have a bar with happy hour. They really have a high-quality international and Asian cuisine in restaurant, with a buffet in restaurant. I really liked the soup in restaurant and the salad in restaurant.
- Room Service: (24-hour!). Enough said.
- Snack Bar/Poolside Bar: Perfect for a quick bite and a cocktail after a day of exploring.
Services and Conveniences?
They've thought of everything. Concierge service, currency exchange, laundry service, daily housekeeping, and a souvenir shop. Need a taxi service? No problem. They even had meetings/banquet facilities and business facilities.
For the Kids?
I didn't travel with kids, but they do offer babysitting service and kids facilities. They are definitley family-friendly.
Getting Around:
They've got you covered. Airport transfer, car park [on-site, free of charge], and taxi service.
And… the Quirks!
- The staff? Incredibly friendly and helpful. They really made an effort to make you feel welcome.
- The location? Perfect! Close enough to the main Göreme strip to be convenient, but far enough away to feel peaceful.
- The Terrace: This is where they serve breakfast, and it's also an amazing place to just relax and soak up the views. Pure instagram gold!
The Imperfections (because, well, life!)
- The language barrier can be a little challenging at times. But the staff really makes an effort to accommodate.
- The cobblestone streets around Göreme itself can be a bit tricky to navigate.
- I wish I'd stayed longer!
Conclusion: Book it, NOW!
Okay, so, is Escape to Paradise perfect? No. Nothing is. But is it an amazing, unforgettable experience? Absolutely!
Escape to Paradise is more than just a hotel; it’s an immersive experience. From the cave suites to the incredible views to the genuinely welcoming staff, it’s a place that will stay with you long after you've left.
Here's the deal:
Escape to Paradise – Book Now!
Because…
- Unforgettable Cave Suites: Embrace the unique charm of staying in a cave, with all the modern comforts.
- Panoramic Views: Wake up to breathtaking scenery that will take your breath away.
- Relaxation & Rejuvenation: Pamper yourself with spa treatments, a dip in the pool, or a visit to the sauna.
- Culinary Delights: Indulge in delicious cuisine at the hotel's restaurants and bars.
- Perfect Location: Explore the wonders of Cappadocia from a central, convenient base.
- The staff is really there to help you.
Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Book your stay at Escape to Paradise today!
KL's BEST Kept Secret: Black Lover Cherries at Cheras Traders Garden!
Okay, buckle up, Buttercup, because this isn't your perfectly-manicured travel blog. This is a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious dive into my (slightly chaotic) trip to the Caftan Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey. Get ready for some ups, downs, and possibly a near-meltdown in a hot air balloon.
The Göreme Gravel Grind: A Week of Cave Life & Crazy
Day 1: Landed and Lost (My Sense of Direction, Mostly)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Touchdown in Kayseri! Honestly, the airport felt like something out of a Wes Anderson film – charming, slightly dusty, and with more polite security guards than I've ever encountered in my life.
- Late Morning (9:30 AM): Okay, finding the shuttle. Easy, right? Wrong. Ended up wandering around like a bewildered sheep for a good twenty minutes. Finally found it, sweaty and slightly defeated, clutching my travel pillow like a lifeline.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Arrived at the Caftan Cave Suites. Jaw. Dropped. Pictures DO NOT do this place justice. It's straight out of 1001 Nights, only with WiFi. Check-in was a breeze, the staff are ridiculously friendly and always smiling, which instantly made me feel better about all the sweating I did earlier. Lunch was this amazing lentil soup – I legit almost licked the bowl.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The room… cave room… It’s a freaking cave! Like, actual rock walls. Apparently, I'm now living in a hipster hobbit hole. The bed is HUGE, the bathroom is luxurious, and the view… holy moly. Volcano cones popping up everywhere, a landscape that looks like something from another planet. I spent a solid hour just staring out the window, completely lost in my own thoughts.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Explored the town. Göreme is tiny, but packed with charm. Found a rug shop. Almost bought a rug. Then I remembered I have zero space in my apartment and also zero rug-buying experience. So, I left. But the colours! The textures! It was sensory overload in the best way.
- Dinner (7:00 PM): Got hopelessly lost trying to find a recommended restaurant. Walked in circles, muttering under my breath. Ended up at a kebab place that, despite my initial frustration, turned out to be incredibly authentic and delicious. Learned to embrace the "lost in translation" experience.
Day 2: Balloon Bliss (and Balloon Anxiety)
- Very Early Morning (4:30 AM): Woke up for the hot air balloon ride. The anticipation was killing me. Also, caffeinated from the hotel's coffee.
- Early Morning (5:30 AM): The balloon ride! Words can't describe it. Floating above Göreme, watching the sunrise paint the landscape in shades of pink and orange… It was genuinely magical. For the first 15 minutes. Then the wind picked up.
- Mid Morning (6:15 AM): A moment of mild panic. Honestly, I am not the best flyer, and the wind was whipping. I may have silently prayed to whatever deity would listen. But then, the pilot was incredibly calm. And the view… it was unbelievable. I took a deep breath and managed to enjoy the rest of the ride, even as we occasionally bumped a little. Landed safely (of course), and felt a sense of utter triumph.
- Late-ish Morning (8:00 AM): Champagne celebration after the balloon ride. Excellent. Though I have to admit I think my stomach was still doing somersaults.
- Brunch (9:30 AM): Back to the hotel for a late breakfast. Stuffed myself with eggs and Turkish coffee, feeling exhausted but elated.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Red Tour. Ok, tour buses aren't my thing, but actually, the landscape of Red Valley was stunning. I swear, I could have spent all day just hiking around those rock formations.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Sipped Turkish tea, people watched, and people watched the people watching me.
- Dinner (7:00 PM): Back at The kebab place (yes, its getting cozy with my food choices).
Day 3: Underground Cities & Unexpected Tears
- Morning (9:00 AM): Visiting Derinkuyu Underground City. Claustrophobia alert! Seriously, these ancient people were tiny. Crawling through tight tunnels was a challenge, and it did get a bit overwhelming. But it's also mind-boggling to think of how they lived.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Open Air Museum. Amazing architecture, amazing history. I found myself getting choked up looking at the fresco paintings in the churches. The artistry, the dedication… It was unexpectedly moving. Don't judge me!
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Tried a new restaurant. Decent. But I still have a soft spot for the Kebab place.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Relaxed by the pool at the hotel. Pure bliss.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Went to a Turkish night. Belly dancing. Turkish dancing. Everyone was super friendly. The atmosphere was excellent and fun.
Day 4: The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing
- Morning (9:00 AM): Slept in! Finally. Then ate so much breakfast I almost didn't eat lunch.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Decided to have a picnic. But the best picnic idea was… eating at the Kebab place.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Read a book. Took a nap. Stared at the view. Honestly, this is what I need. Recharge.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Went people-watching in the town square. Bought another thing I didn't need. (A small, hand-painted ceramic plate). More Kebab!
Day 5: Valley of the Haters (and Lovers of Views)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Hiked through Love Valley. It's a hike, and it's more challenging than you'd think. It was beautiful, but let's be honest, it’s a lot of rock formations that look like, you know, things.
- Lunch (1:00 PM): Delicious Turkish pizza.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Shopping for souvenirs. Fell in love with some local handicrafts. Almost lost my mind trying to decide between a few different things.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Farewell dinner at a restaurant with a rooftop terrace. Stunning views of the sunset. Took a moment to reflect on the trip. This place is truly something special.
Day 6: Departure and a Promise to Return
- Morning (9:00 AM): One last breakfast at the hotel. Said goodbye to those kind, smiling staff.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM): Shuttle to the airport.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Departure.
- (All the time) Ponder on the memories. Reflect on the trip. Thinking when can I go back.
Quirky Observations & Rambles:
- The cats in Göreme are practically celebrities. They lounge everywhere, looking impossibly smug. I'm convinced they run the town.
- Turkish coffee is strong. Very strong. I love it.
- The food. Oh, the food. So, so, so good. I ate everything. Regrets? None. Probably.
- The people are incredibly welcoming. Even when I stumbled over my words and butchered the Turkish words.
- I learned to embrace the imperfection. To get lost. To laugh at myself. To appreciate the small moments.
- The cave suites… they're just dreamy. Seriously, the most unique place I've ever stayed.
- Okay, so I also developed a weird obsession with the Turkish delight.
- And finally, the hot air balloon ride, again. It's scary, kind of, no judgment.
Emotional Verdict: This trip was an emotional rollercoaster (and maybe a literal one on that balloon ride). I laughed. I cried. I almost hyperventilated. I experienced the sheer, unadulterated wonder of a place that feels like another world. Göreme has a piece of my heart now. I will be back. And next time, I'm buying *
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Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Caftan Cave Suites in Göreme, Turkey! (FAQ - Real Talk Edition)
Okay, Okay... So, What REALLY is so special about these Caftan Cave Suites? Like, beyond the Instagram filter?
Alright, buckle up, because "special" is an understatement. Forget those sterile hotel rooms. We're talking *cave* suites, carved into the freakin' fairy chimneys of Cappadocia! Think: ancient vibes, natural air conditioning (bliss in the summer!), and decor that feels ripped straight out of a Merchant Ivory film (in the BEST way). It’s like stepping into a movie… a movie *you* get to live in. The first time I saw one? My inner child, the one that still believes in dragons, actually squealed. I'm not kidding. Squealed. It's the sort of place that makes you want to write a novel, or maybe just nap dramatically on a giant cushion. And the Caftan thing? Well, the owners, they’re really into the whole Ottoman aesthetic. Lots of rich colors, beautiful textiles... you feel genuinely pampered. Which, let's be honest, is what we all secretly want, right?
Is it REALLY luxurious? I mean, those cave things... aren't they a bit... damp?
Damp?! HELL no! Okay, maybe a tiny bit, if it’s been raining *heavily*, but these aren't your grandpappy's damp caves. They’re meticulously renovated, and usually really well ventilated. Think heated floors (bliss!) in some, massive soaking tubs, and plush everything. Luxury is the name of the game here. The suites are all different too. One time, I saw a suite with its own private hammam – a Turkish bath! I was utterly ruined for all other experiences. Like, my life peaked that day. Actually, I think I might still be slightly traumatized by how good it was, and how cheap it felt compared to similarly luxurious experiences elsewhere. It *is* luxurious, but it's also... well, it doesn't feel *pretentious*. It's a relaxed kind of luxury, if that makes sense. They're also super clean - I have a touch of OCD. And I didn't find anything that made me feel the need to scrub or sanitize. Even I was impressed.
How Do I even get there? What's travel like?
Okay, here’s the deal. There's no secret portal, sadly. But it's totally manageable. You'll probably fly into either Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) airports. Nevsehir is CLOSER. From there, you can get a shuttle – super easy and affordable. Or grab a taxi, if you’re feeling fancy. Don't try driving yourself, it could be tricky. Once you're in Göreme, the Caftan Cave Suites are usually right in the thick of things, so you're in walking distance of restaurants, shops, and all the balloon-gazing viewpoints. The roads… well, let’s call them "character-building." They can be cobblestone, or slightly treacherous. Dress accordingly. And be prepared for some seriously dramatic views – the entire journey is a photo opportunity. Honestly, I got so overstimulated the first time, I almost forgot to breathe. It's a long journey. But *absolutely* worth it.
What about the Balloons? Are they even worth it or Overhyped?
Okay, listen. The hot air balloons… yes, it’s touristy. Absolutely. But overhyped? NO WAY. It's a bucket-list MUST. Imagine it: the sun's rising, painting the fairy chimneys in a glorious, salmon-pink light, and hundreds of balloons are drifting through the air like giant, colorful bubbles. It's… ethereal. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Yes, it's crowded. Yes, you'll be in a basket with a bunch of other people. Yes, it's a bit early (think pre-dawn wake-up calls). But the sheer *magic* of it overcomes all of that. Seriously, do it. Pre-book, though. They fill up FAST. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even if you hate heights. It's all about the *view*.
Food... What, Where, and how bad is the dreaded 'Tourist Trap'?
Food... ah, my favorite subject. Okay, let’s be real: there ARE tourist traps. Shiny places with aggressive waiters trying to lure you in. Avoid them, mostly. Look for places that are packed with locals - that's usually a good sign. Traditional Turkish dishes are amazing. Try the Testi Kebap (pottery kebab; it's cooked in a sealed clay pot and then dramatically broken open at your table). The Mezze platters (small appetizers) are a must-try for lunch. And don’t be scared to try anything! The variety is what you need! I loved the lentil soup!
As for specifics: I'm terrible at remembering names, but most of the hotels have restaurants that are decent and convenient. Ask your hotel for a recommendation – they usually know all the good spots. And tip generously! The service is generally fantastic, and the locals are incredibly welcoming and friendly. They'll even offer you tea even if you don't go to their restaurant. It's the culture. And it's wonderful!
What about Activities Besides Balloons? I keep seeing those ridiculous photos...
Dude. The balloons are epic, but there's MORE. So much more! There are the ancient underground cities (Derinkuyu is a must!), hiking trails through the valleys (Rose Valley and Love Valley are gorgeous), the open-air museum in Göreme (amazing, and so historically significant), and the Turkish baths (hammams)… need I say more?
I also highly recommend a Turkish cooking class. Learn to make those delicious dishes! You get to eat it afterwards! And it’s a great way to interact with the locals.
Honestly, you could spend weeks there and still not see everything. Don’t feel pressured to cram it all in. Take your time, relax, and soak up the atmosphere. Be careful with trekking in the valleys, too. You might think you're a seasoned hiker, but some of those inclines can be treacherous. I fell flat on my face once (charming!). Wear proper footwear, and take plenty of water. And a hat - the sun can be brutal. Otherwise, have FUN!
Is It Safe? As a solo female traveler, I'm always a little nervous...
From my experience? Yes, incredibly safe. Seriously. I felt very secure walking around, even late at night. The people are warm, friendly, and respectful. That being said, always use your common sense. Don't wander down dark alleys alone (anywhere, ever!). Keep your valuables secure, and pay attention to your surroundings. But overall, I found Göreme to be a very welcoming and safe place for solo femaleBudget Travel Destination
