My long-suffering husband jokes that I am every hotelier’s worst nightmare. I am not a constant complainer, but I do notice details — from décor and cleanliness to staff attitude. The moment I step into a hotel I start mentally asking, “What would I do if this were my business?”
Perhaps this attitude comes from having worked in a Turkish hotel before, which gave me a behind-the-scenes perspective. Maybe it is because I enjoy writing TripAdvisor reviews and take the role seriously. As a child I dreamed of being a mystery shopper or a restaurant critic, so staying in hotels feels like a belated way of living out that ambition.
The Cave Hotel in Cappadocia: Taskonaklar in Uchisar
When I learned I would stay at Taskonaklar Cave Hotel, I looked forward to running my usual inspection. Marketed as a five-star boutique property, Taskonaklar sits in the charming village of Uchisar in Cappadocia and is built around natural caves. The hotel emphasizes preserving the region’s landscape: “Every stone, every arch, every old chimney was preserved while Taskonaklar was brought to life. That’s why not one room is similar to another and each room has its own character, where simplicity is blended with comfort.”
I was particularly impressed that Taskonaklar practices eco-tourism. In my experience, many Turkish hoteliers resist sustainability initiatives unless there is a clear financial incentive. Taskonaklar’s commitment to ecological preservation felt genuine and refreshing.
Arriving in Uchisar
The hotel is easy to find thanks to its central location. After check-in I explored the property. Taskonaklar has sixteen rooms arranged around a courtyard that overlooks Pigeon Valley, and on a clear day you can even see Mount Erciyes in the distance.
My room was close to reception and delivered an immediate “wow” factor. The entrance opened into a seating area that felt more like a small living room. A corridor led past a walk-in wardrobe to the bedroom; another doorway revealed a cave bathroom and a separate shower room. The suite’s size was remarkable — larger than many one-bedroom apartments I’ve seen for sale in Turkey.
It’s the smaller details that count
A comprehensive information booklet lay beside the bed, detailing hotel services and offering practical tips about Uchisar and the wider Cappadocia region. The tea-and-coffee maker was a welcome touch, and to my pleasant surprise the coffee sachets were replenished the next day.
Small comforts made the stay even better: slippers, reading material, a well-stocked minibar, heated towels, satellite TV and a fireplace. The toiletries stood out as high quality rather than the generic bulk items you often find in large all-inclusive properties.
Breakfast featured a generous buffet and left little to criticize. I also tested the hotel’s guest services: bike hire, packed lunches, and excursion bookings are available. What mattered most to me was local knowledge — and the manager was excellent, answering questions and offering extra recommendations without prompting.
I had to admit defeat: it was difficult to find fault with Taskonaklar. The professional approach and thoughtful business model left little room for complaint. If you stay here, try to book room 102 and wake early to watch Cappadocia’s hot air balloons drift over the landscape. Aside from that, Taskonaklar handles nearly everything you’d want from a boutique cave-hotel experience.
