honeymooners retreat

RETREATGAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL

40 INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

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Figuring on the Forbes’ List of TheMiddle East's Ultra LuxuryHotels, the Gamirasu Cave Hoteloffers the ultimate escape forthose who have seen it all

monasticabout it

RETREATGAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL

40 INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

41June 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in 41June 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

“Truly a diamond in the rough of the valley”- Lynn Levine in Frommer’s Turkey Guide

RETREATGAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL

42 INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

RADHIKA RAVI RAJAN

SET IN the heart of Cappadocia in Turkey, the Gamirasu Cave Hotel is

an exquisitely restored, one-thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic

retreat offering modern conveniences without distracting from the

spiritual feeling of the area which is known to have been inhabited for

more than five thousand years.

Comprising a set of six beautifully restored and integrated cave

houses—a common feature in this part of Turkey—all the 18 rooms in

the Gamirasu are beautifully designed to blend with the landscape,

yet offer every luxury you can dream of. One of the newest suite

rooms at the hotel, the Hittite Suite has an original "key stone door" in

the shape of mill stone as in the underground cities of Cappadocia.

This type of architecture is from the Hittite times (dated back to 1200

BC) so the original shape of the room has been respected during

restoration. It has a small window and is a real cave.

Another beautiful room is the Eagle Nest Deluxe Suite, which is

rumoured to have a four-thousand-year-old history. An enchanting

terrace offers a view of the valley. The suite has a bathroom with sauna

and jacuzzi. From your jacuzzi, you may enjoy a view of the caves. No

43June 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

wonder, the hotel has earned rave reviews from its privileged guests

and designers around the world.

The incredible atmosphere has to be experienced … a 12th century

Byzantine Christian church actually forms part of the Gamirasu, there

are fairy chimneys set against a moonscape-like scenery, some of the

rooms, which were until recently used as monks’ habitat, are naturally

cooled by volcanic rock that keeps the temperature at a pleasant 20

degrees Celsius throughout the year, some of the furniture is carved

from stone, the church still boasts of original frescoes and an old

monastic kitchen holds centrestage. As you sit in the balcony, you

hear live Turkish music floating up to you. The stylish ambience and

the inviting atmosphere create a romantic setting that’s irresistible. It

comes as no surprise that the Gamirasu Cave Hotel is emerging as a

favourite destination for honeymooners.

The USP of the resort is the warmth of a home away from home.

Breakfast consists of all local and organically grown produce, including

freshly-baked bread, clotted cream, honeycomb and fresh fruit, even

fresh cow’s milk. For lunch and dinner, be prepared to be treated to

traditional Turkish six-course meals.

Cappadocia literally means “land of pretty horses”. There’s a sense

of tranquillity and authentic village atmosphere around Gamirasu

that is soothing, with nothing to disturb you but the sound of birds. A

creek going under a 13th century Seldjoukide bridge and flowing in

front of cave houses adds its own tranquillity. A seven-kilometre-long

hiking trail leads from the hotel to a remote valley, with a beautiful

brook flowing through it.