Cave tours are popular all over the world. Many people like to experience the beauty of underground stalactites and stalagmites, countless rock formations, and sometimes even cave waterfalls. Some cavers enjoy seeking out undiscovered caves just for the unusual beauty that can be found underground.
But can you imagine staying in a cave overnight? Places do exist where cave enthusiasts can live out their dreams of living in caves – at least for a night or two.
Here are the top five underground hotels and caves in Europe:
Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, Italy
This unique hotel has built its rooms in caves, and it’s one of the most amazing stays you can experience. Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita offers an adventure like no other, and is located in the historic Apennine village of Matera. In the southern part of Italy, Matera is world famous for its Sassi quarters, a village where hundreds of caves were turned into houses, churches, and even palaces. The Sassi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
Le Grotte Della Civita is in the oldest part of the Sassi and faces Murgian Park and its rock-carved churches. It is comprised of 18 rooms and an ancient church, which is now used as a common area.
Rooms and Amenities
From classic cave rooms to executive suites in the caves, as well as rooms within the Palace of the Civita, you can experience true luxury within ancient caverns. The rooms offer an ergonomic mattress, spacious bathroom amenities, handcrafted pottery, natural candles, air recycling system, and more, so you can enjoy tastefully designed modern conveniences set within natural rock formations.
The restaurant is housed in a deconsecrated cave church, and has an ambience of candles, classical music, and a fireplace to enjoy as you’re served true Basilicata traditional food. They even offer cooking lessons with their expert chef. You can also enjoy nearby weaving lessons and Ayurvedic massages at the hotel.
Prices
Classic cave rooms start at 171.00 EUR for one night, two adults, and go up from there depending on which rooms and amenities you choose. Before reserving, be sure to check out their specials they offer for two or three nights.
After all, the longer you can experience such an authentic cavernous adventure, the better!
Cuevas del Pino Casas Rurales, Spain
Hidden in the valley of the foothills of the Sierra Moreno is a small rental that offers a cave house for nightly stays. Cuevas del Pino Casas Rurales in Spain is an entire house built inside a stone quarry. Though not your typical nightly rental, it provides the true idea of what it might be like to live permanently underground.
The house offers capacity for 2-4 people and has a large living/dining room, 1 bedroom, full kitchen, heating, solar energy, and even a washing machine. The only thing missing is Wi-Fi, but it’s available in the common areas of the pool and gardens.
Archaeologists have dated the site of the house back to the Roman period. In 2009, it was used in the filming of the nominated movie “La Mirada de Ouka Leele.”
Rentals
There are other houses available to rent as part of Cuevas del Pino Casas Rurales, but the cave house is called the Earth house and is worth reserving. In addition to staying in any of the rentals, you can visit the cave, which is comprised of three rooms and carefully formed by stonemasons to provide space for activities like arts and crafts.
Prices
The Earth house starts at 170.00 EUR for two people, with a minimum two-night stay in the low season, and three nights in the high season.
Deep Sleep Hotel, Wales, UK
Become a modern day Indiana Jones and stay for a few nights at Deep Sleep Hotel in the UK.
Called the Deepest Sleep in the World, Deep Sleep Hotel takes you on a journey through an abandoned Victorian slate mine to reach the off-grid camp of Deep Sleep. It’s set 1,375 vertical feet below the mountains of Snowdonia, which definitely makes it the deepest underground sleep available.
Deep Sleep Hotel offers four private twin-bed cabins and a romantic grotto with a double bed. Evening meal is included and all bedding is provided.
Deep Sleep Hotel is not your normal quick-pit-stop stay for the night. It runs only once per week, on Saturday night to Sunday morning. You will have a trip leader instructor and a member of technical staff, who will guide you to the site, fit you with a helmet, headtorch, harness, and Wellington boots, and take you deep underground with an hour’s steep descent. The instructor and staff will stay in their own cabins overnight, so you won’t be alone without expert help.
Price for two people in the private cabin is £375. Total price for two people in the Grotto is £575. Included in the price are an evening expedition-style meal, all hot drinks, and morning breakfast snacks.
Les Hautes Roches, France
Experience the true history of France in these old monk caves that have been converted into beautiful rooms. Les Hautes Roches provides a unique experience that gives cave enthusiasts plenty to look at. Set against a tufa cliff, the 18th-century manor is carved into the rocks and overlooks the Loire River in the heart of the Loire Valley.
With two restaurants, a gastronomic restaurant and a bistronomic restaurant, both offering French gourmet cuisine, Les Hautes Roches is a luxury hotel within natural rock formations. 12 rooms are built within the rocks, with other rooms available for the less adventurous.
Troglodyte Rooms
Once part of the Marmoutier Abbey, the caves were transformed into hotel rooms by Philippe Mollard. The Hautes Roches is the first luxury troglodyte hotel in France. Prices for the Troglodyte Rooms start at 200.00 EUR for two adults for one night, and go up from there depending on season, dates, and types of rooms.
Iconic Santorini Hotel, Greece
Rooms at the Iconic Santorini Hotel in Greece are carved into the side of a volcanic caldera wall. Enjoy the luxury of this boutique cave hotel within the natural beauty of underground rock formations. Located in the picturesque Greek island of Imerovigli, Iconic Santorini Hotel offers an amazing view of the azure blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
With five distinctive levels, each residence has a lounger and table seating for a perfect view of the ancient volcano.
Iconic Santorini Hotel also offers an ICONIC spa experience, Icons Restaurant with traditional Greek cuisine, Cocktail bar, indoor jetted grotto pool (in the Iconic Suite), and outdoor jetted plunge pool. With whitewashed, light, and amazingly luxurious designs, you can experience the beauty of underground in comfort and style. And how many people can say they’ve stayed in a volcano?
Prices start at $381.00, two adults, one night, for the Iconic Suite and can vary according to rooms and length of stay.
The above choices are the top most-authentic cave hotel experiences, but I also had to mention the Ice Hotel Art Suites in Sweden.
Though not a cave, it is a truly unique underground experience that is well worth visiting. The hotel is:
- Uniquely designed and hand-carved, with 12 art cave suites that were all created for the first time.
- Twenty standard ice rooms.
- A combination hotel and exhibition made by commissioned artists from around the world.
- Transformed by the Torne River ice into unique artworks and rooms that exist only once.
- Prices range from 2,150 SEK for one night with two people, and can vary according to whether you want warm rooms, only ice, or suites.
As you can see, there are numerous unique experiences around the world, and many hotels offer much more than just a night of sleep. They offer an incomparable experience that will never be forgotten.
If you’re looking for a stunning cave hotel experience outside of Europe, Argos in Cappadocia in Turkey is a must-visit. With private cave pools and breathtaking views of Cappadocia’s iconic landscape, it’s an unforgettable stay!
