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honeymooners retreat

RETREAT

GAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL

nothing monastic about it Figuring on the Forbes’List of The Middle East's Ultra Luxury Hotels, the Gamirasu Cave Hotel offers the ultimate escape for those who have seen it all 40

INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

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

June 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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RETREAT

GAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL

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

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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

INSPIRATIONAL DESIGN IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

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.

June 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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