Destinations • April 2015
The world’s best cave hotels
Want to hide away and forget about the world? Or simply live out a deep-seated Hobbit fantasy? Content editor of The Club, Hannah Hudson, has unearthed hotels that make the most of their natural surroundings, without compromising on luxury
Alexander’s, Santorini
In the village of Oia on Santorini, Alexander’s is a boutique hotel of cave villas, houses and suites. Overlooking the Caldera, the white-washed walls and sloping ceilings of the cave rooms (above) are like something out of a picture book. Take in the views from the hotel terrace or your own private Jacuzzi. Cave houses from £220 per night.
Sala Silvermine, Sweden
At 155 metres underground, Sala Silvermine’s Mine Suite is the world’s deepest hotel room. The old silver mine forms a network of caverns and beautiful underground lakes which can be explored with a guide. The suite itself is just large enough to fit a double bed and two chairs, and looks best at bedtime when it’s lit by candles and you’re snuggled up under a blanket. Mine Suite from £377 per night.
Kokopelli’s Cave, New Mexico, USA
A scenic, three-hour drive from Albuquerque brings you to Kokopelli’s Cave, which has been carved from 65-million-year-old sandstone some 280 feet above the La Plata River. When you book a stay, you get the whole place to yourself and, from the cave and the cliff tops, can enjoy spectacular views of the impressive sunsets and the surrounding states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. From £181 per night.
Le Grotte della Civita, Matera, Italy
After an hour’s drive from Bari, arriving at Le Grotte della Civita feels like stepping into a medieval settlement. There’s plenty of atmosphere in these restored ancient caves in the village of Matera, as well as a real sense of luxury – despite the minimalist furnishings. Breakfast is served in a former 13th-century cave church. Rooms from £184 per night.
Le Prince Noir, Les Baux de Provence, France
This unusual bed and breakfast is hidden in the ruins of a medieval castle around an hour’s drive from Marseille. The property is a great base for exploring Provence, but really comes into its own in the evening when the tourists have all disappeared and you and the few permanent residents have the village of Les Baux to yourselves. Rooms from £78 per night.
The Caves Negril, Jamaica
Close to Negril’s seven-mile beachfront lies The Caves (above). It has 12 cliff-side cottages, suites and villas, and though you won’t actually be sleeping in a cave, there’s the opportunity for nightly Cave Dining, and treatments at the spa, which is hewn into the rock and overlooks the sea. The area is known for snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing and dolphin watching. From £370 per night.
This article has been tagged Destination, Hotels