Where to Stay in Göreme: 5 Cave Hotels, with flat ground options

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Last updated: 22/10/26

Göreme is one of Cappadocia’s best-known bases, with some truly unique hotels: beautiful cave rooms, luxurious historic settings, infinity pools overlooking the iconic fairy stone chimneys, and terraces where you can watch the hot-air balloons rise at sunrise.

If you’re deciding where to stay in Göreme, the right hotel depends on what you want, and the setting can shape your whole trip

Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I want to be on flat ground or am I okay will hills? Göreme is incredibly hilly and most hotels sit on steep slopes.
2. Do I want to watch the hot-air balloons rise in the morning?
3. Do I want an actual cave room? Many hotels are called “cave hotels”, but not all rooms are authentic cave rooms.
4. Do I want a swimming pool?
5. Do I want access to a spa or Turkish bath on site?

I’ve put together this guide to five places to stay, focusing on their setting, character, balloon-viewing options and the practical details that may help you decide which suits you best.

I’ve also included hotels with a flatter approach, which is rare in Göreme.

Where I stayed, and where I only visited

I stayed at Cappadocia Caves Hotels, and my opinions on it are based on a three night self funded stay.

The other four are hotels I came across while wandering the town and loved the look of, so I spent some time getting a feel for them. My notes on them are first impressions of the grounds and public areas, and they went straight onto my “next time” wish list.

Interestingly, three of the hotels (Kelebek, Sultan Cave Suites and Aza) are sister hotels within close proximity of each other, and I loved the idea of moving between them and enjoying all their facilities.

A quick comparison table follows, so you can see how they stack up at a glance.

1. Cappadocia Caves Hotel: A Practical Base in Central Göreme

Stayed here

I stayed at the Cappadocia Caves Hotel during my time in Cappadocia and found it a practical, reasonably priced base for exploring Göreme. It was the least expensive of the five hotels in this guide.

Cappadocia Caves Hotel At a Glance

• Location: Central Göreme, a few minutes’ walk from the bus station.
• Price: Approximately £51 per night when I stayed, for a standard double room with breakfast.
• Terrain: The hotel has a relatively flat approach, which is unusual in Göreme. Some rooms can be reached without steps, but there are steps to the breakfast room, swimming pool and courtyard areas.
• Balloon views: You can easily see the balloons rising from here, and there are many places to sit and watch them, including a carpeted outdoor viewing area.
• Facilities: Small swimming pool, pretty outdoor seating areas with rocking chairs, loungers and tables.
• Breakfast: A generous buffet with a huge variety.
• Room style: Sand-coloured stone walls and traditional features, with some rooms designed in cave concept. Nice bathroom with a good shower.

What I liked

• The central location and flatter approach, which made getting around much easier while I was dealing with ankle tendonitis.
• The carpeted balloon-viewing area, where I could lounge, watch the balloons and take photographs.
• The spacious outdoor areas, with plenty of seating and a small swimming pool.
• The breakfast buffet, with plenty of choice.
• The price, which was lower than the other hotels in this guide and many others in the area.
• As a solo female traveller, I felt perfectly comfortable here.

→ Find out more about the Cappadocia Caves Hotel here

Things to consider

• My room (and many others) had no balcony or private outdoor seating area.
• It opened directly onto the hotel grounds. At times I could see people walking past, and if my window was open I could hear them talking, so it felt a little less private than I would have liked. If that matters to you, ask for a room away from the walkway and confirm its position with the hotel.
• Although the approach to the hotel was relatively flat, steps led to some rooms and to all the outdoor areas, including the swimming pool and breakfast room.
• I would have liked to see more greenery and flowers around the grounds. The outdoor areas felt quite sparse and, with limited shade, I imagine they could become very hot in summer.
• The pool loungers had sunshades, but you couldn’t move or tilt them, so most of the time they offered no shade. There is a shaded area with sunloungers, but it isn’t next to the pool.
• Daily room cleaning was available only on request, which I found surprising for a hotel.

My verdict on the Cappadocia Caves Hotel

A practical, good-value base with several places to watch the balloons rise in the morning. It suits you if you want a central location, a lower price, a generous breakfast and a flatter location from which to explore.

It may not suit you if privacy matters a lot, if you want a genuine cave room, or if you’d like a lush, shaded garden. The main drawback for me was that my room opened onto the hotel grounds with no personal seating area, so it felt a little less private than I would have liked.

The Three Sister Hotels

The sister hotels are: Kelebek Special Cave Hotel, Aza Cave Hotel, Sultan Cave Suites

I particularly wanted to feature these three hotels because they are beautiful, distinctive and full of traditional features.

Also, because they are sister hotels, guests can use facilities across all three, including a unique cave Turkish bath at one and a panoramic viewing platform at another.

2. Kelebek Special Cave Hotel: A Beautiful Hillside Retreat

Visited the grounds, didn’t stay

Kelebek Special Cave Hotel is set on the hillside above Göreme, with views across the town and surrounding valleys. Established in 1993, it has grown from a small family guesthouse into a characterful boutique hotel, incorporating 35 restored stone houses, including rooms within fairy chimney formations. I found it fascinating that some of the original rooms were carved in the 8th century.

I spotted Kelebek while out walking and was immediately captivated. I couldn’t resist exploring a little before looking it up and adding it to my ever-growing list of hotels I’d love to stay in one day.

Kelebek Cave Hotel At a Glance

• Location: On the hillside above Göreme, around a five-minute walk from the town centre.
• Price: Standard rooms from approximately £120 per night.
• Terrain: Hillside setting, with steps around the property.
• Balloon views: Panoramic views from the hotel’s terraces, making it an appealing spot for watching the balloons at sunrise.
• Room style: A mix of cave rooms, traditional stone rooms and distinctive suites, including rooms within fairy chimney formations.
• Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, terraces, gardens, cave Turkish bath and sauna.
• Food: An on-site restaurant, Happena Cappadocia, serving Turkish, Anatolian and international cuisine.
• Standout feature: The traditional cave Turkish bath, offering hammam treatments and massage.

→ Find out more about the Kelebek Cave Hotel

What caught my eye

• The traditional stone architecture and rooms carved into the natural rock.
• The elevated setting, with terraces overlooking Göreme and the valleys.
• The outdoor pool and the different spaces for sitting and enjoying the views.
• The cave Turkish bath, which the hotel describes as one of the few genuine Turkish baths located inside a cave.
• The option of an on-site photographer for anyone wanting to capture special memories of their stay.
• The ability to use the facilities of the two sister hotels, just minutes away, including the famous rooftop balloon-viewing area at Sultan Cave Suites and the gardens of Aza Cave Hotel.

My observations

I thought this hotel was beautiful. The combination of flowers, pretty gardens, traditional design and genuine cave rooms set within the fairy chimney formations made it particularly captivating. There was a lovely character to the place, and the staff were friendly when I visited, even though I wasn’t a guest.

Kelebek is definitely one I’d be tempted to return to for a stay. I’d love to experience those distinctive cave rooms and spend more time enjoying the gardens and views.

3. Sultan Cave Suites: An Iconic Terrace for Balloon Watching

Visited the grounds, didn’t stay

Sultan Cave Suites sits high on Aydınlı Hill, with panoramic views across the town and surrounding valleys. From what I could see, each room, terrace and area is richly decorated with traditional elements reflecting the region’s history and culture.

The hotel offers an authentic fairy chimney suite alongside a range of luxury cave suites, where original cave walls have been preserved and blended with the room designs. But what Sultan Cave Suites is perhaps best known for is its panoramic terrace, where guests gather to watch the balloons rise at sunrise.

Sultan Cave Suites at a Glance

• Location: Aydınlı Hill, above Göreme town centre.
• Price: Standard rooms from around £120 per night, and often £200 or more at busy times.
• Terrain: Hillside setting, with steps and sloping paths around the property.
• Balloon views: One of Göreme’s best-known hotels for watching the balloons at sunrise, with elevated rooftop terraces overlooking the town and valleys.
• Room style: A range of cave rooms and stone suites, individually designed with traditional furnishings.
• Spa: Guests can access the cave Turkish bath at Kelebek Special Cave Hotel.
• Food: Seten Restaurant, an Anatolian restaurant in carved stone spaces, which has been recognised by the Michelin Guide.
• Standout feature: The famous rooftop terrace, designed around the experience of watching Cappadocia’s balloons at sunrise.

→ Find out about the Sultan Cave Hotel.

What caught my eye

• The elevated position and expansive views over Göreme.
• The terrace, which has become one of the hotel’s signature features.
• The combination of traditional stonework, cave architecture and individually styled interiors.
• Seten Restaurant, which gives guests the option of dining at the hotel rather than heading back into town.

4. Aza Cave Hotel: A Luxury Adults-Only Stay with Garden Views

Visited briefly, didn’t stay

Aza Cave Hotel is part of the same family-run group as Kelebek Special Cave Hotel and Sultan Cave Suites, but it has its own character. It’s also set on the hillside above Göreme, but it feels distinctive because its rooms are arranged around a landscaped garden and outdoor pool.

The green garden against Cappadocia’s rock formations really caught my eye. It felt like finding an oasis in the desert.

At a glance

• Guests: Adults only, worth knowing if you’d like a child free visit
• Location: Aydınlı neighbourhood, Göreme, on elevated ground.
• Price: From around £130 per night for a standard room.
• Terrain: Hillside setting, so expect some slopes or steps.
• Room style: Cave rooms, stone rooms and suites, with features such as fireplaces, bathtubs and private outdoor spaces in some rooms.
• Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool, gardens and terraces.
• Food: Seten Restaurant, serving Anatolian cuisine, is next door.
• Balloon watching: Guests can access the famous rooftop terrace at sister hotel Sultan Cave Suites.
• Spa: Guests can access the cave Turkish bath at Kelebek Special Cave Hotel.

What caught my eye

• The green garden and swimming pool, surrounded by Cappadocia’s unusual rock formations.
• The contrast between the traditional stone architecture and the more luxurious style.

→ Find out more about this hotel.

My observations

My visit was brief, but the gardens were what stood out. Aza could be worth considering if you’re looking for a more luxurious cave-hotel experience with outdoor space.

5. Design Cave Hotel: A Lavender Garden on Flatter Ground

Visited the grounds, didn’t stay

I spotted Design Cave Hotel quite by chance. I was standing on a hillside looking down across the valley when a patch of purple caught my eye. Even from a distance I could tell it was lavender. I wondered whether it was simply a garden, so I looked it up and discovered it was a hotel. Naturally, I went to have a look.

The lavender garden was a lovely surprise, with thoughtful features that made the grounds feel really special. I felt like I’d suddenly found myself in Provence (I can’t almost smell the lavender writing this).

Unlike many of Göreme’s hillside hotels, Design Cave Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre on relatively flatter ground, which makes it worth considering if you want to avoid a steep uphill walk every time you head out.

The Design Cave Hotel at a Glance

• Location: Aydınlı neighbourhood, a few minutes’ walk from Göreme town centre.
• Price: From around £60 for a standard room.
• Terrain: Relatively flat approach from the town, although there are steps within the hotel between some rooms and communal areas.
• Balloon views: Rooftop terrace and elevated viewpoints.
• Room style: A mix of cave-style and stone rooms.
• Facilities: Lavender garden, swimming pool, terraces and outdoor spaces.
• Standout feature: The lavender garden, complete with a swing among the flowers.

What caught my eye

• The lavender garden: This is what drew me in. The purple flowers stood out against the surrounding rock formations, creating a lovely little garden within the Cappadocian landscape.
• Little decorative touches: Bunches of dried lavender dotted around the property added to the theme and made the hotel feel thoughtfully put together.
• The outdoor spaces: Terraces and viewpoints offer places to sit and take in the landscape, including the balloons when they fly overhead.
• The location: Being within easy walking distance of the town centre, without starting every outing with a steep climb, is a practical advantage.

→ Find out more about the Design Cave Hotel

My observations

I only visited the grounds rather than staying overnight, so I can’t comment on the rooms or service from personal experience. What appealed to me was the character of the place: the lavender garden, the swing and the dried flowers felt like thoughtful details rather than a standard hotel setting.

Choosing a Place to Stay in Göreme

The best hotel for you will depend on what matters most during your time in Cappadocia.

• Close to the centre with a flatter approach: Cappadocia Caves Hotels was a practical base for me, and Design Cave Hotel looks like a charming alternative.
• Characterful cave rooms, gardens and a hillside setting: Kelebek Special Cave Hotel is the one that caught my eye.
• Balloon views: Sultan Cave Suites is particularly known for its rooftop terrace.
• A more luxurious, adults-only stay with attractive gardens: Aza Cave Hotel.

I think it’s worth looking beyond photographs when comparing hotels in Göreme. A beautiful view may come with steep paths or steps, and the layout of a particular room can make a real difference to comfort and privacy. If balance, mobility or energy levels are a consideration, contact the hotel before booking and ask specific questions about the route to your room, steps to breakfast and other facilities, and how far apart the different areas are.

Göreme Hotels: Quick Answers

Which part of Göreme is best to stay in? It depends on what you want. Cappadocia Cave Hotels and Design Cave Hotel are close to the town centre, while Kelebek, Sultan Cave Suites and Aza sit on the hillside, with more views and genuine cave rooms but more steps.

Is Göreme good for solo travellers? In my experience, yes. Göreme felt very safe, and I saw lots of women on their own, eating alone in restaurants, going on trips and wandering around. It felt like a place very used to solo women travellers.

Are there hotels on flatter ground in Göreme? Very few, as most hotels are built on steep slopes. Cappadocia Cave Hotels and Design Cave Hotel both have a relatively flat approach from town, although each has steps within the property.

Can I watch the balloons from my hotel? Most of the hotels here have terraces or viewpoints for it. Sultan Cave Suites is the best known, and its sister hotel Aza has access to its rooftop terrace. However, wherever you stay in Cappadocia, there’s a good chance you’ll see hot-air balloons floating across the sky on flying mornings (they’re everywhere!). The difference between hotels is less about whether you can see them and more about the views, terraces and vantage points they offer

Does the weather affect the balloon flights? Yes, remember that hot-air balloon flights depend on weather and operating conditions, so a rooftop view is never a guarantee that you’ll see balloons flying. On my first day in Cappadocia, all balloon flights were cancelled due to the weather.

→ Planning take a hot air balloon as part of your stay in Cappadocia? Read my review here.

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