Hotel Review: Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge, Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Cappadocia has always been a dream destination of mine, with its ancient landscape and breathtaking natural beauty. For the second leg of our honeymoon, we flew from Istanbul to Cappadocia to immerse ourselves in its wonders. The region's unique rock formations, sculpted by ancient volcanic eruptions that blanketed the area in thick ash, solidified into a soft rock called tuff. This porous rock allowed the Turkish people to create cave homes, and today, many boutique hotels have embraced this tradition to offer guests a distinctive lodging experience. Among these, Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge stands out, perched atop the Ushisar Valley. The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio and captivated us with its mesmerizing ambiance and private location, making us fall in love with it instantly. Here is my review of Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge:
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge was located at Tekelli, Tekelli Kümesi No:8, 50240 Uçhisar/Uchisar/Nevşehir, Türkiye.
Location
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge is located in the Uchisar Valley in the picturesque Cappadocia region of Turkey. This area is renowned for its unique rock formations, ancient cave dwellings, and historical significance. Just a short distance from the lodge, Uchisar Castle offers stunning panoramic views of Cappadocia. The castle is the highest point in the region, making it an excellent spot for sunrise and sunset views. Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 10th-century rock-cut churches and frescoes, is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The nearby Pigeon Valley is a great scenic hiking trail with beautiful views and opportunities to explore ancient rock-cut dwellings. Lastly, the ancient subterranean cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, used as hiding places during invasions, are just a 30-minute drive from the hotel.
Lobby & Check-In Review
After navigating the winding streets of Uçhisar, we arrived at the Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge. The hotel exclusively provided valet parking, and for those with electric vehicles, there was a complimentary Tesla charging spot available for all guests. As a small boutique hotel with only eleven rooms, the lobby was intimate yet tastefully decorated, featuring a cozy fireplace and a cognac-colored sectional.
The lobby exuded an intimate yet luxurious ambiance, with predominant leather aesthetics enhancing its lodge-like appearance.
The use of natural materials throughout the lobby seamlessly blended with the surrounding beauty of Cappadocia, making us feel connected to nature.
With a single front desk, incoming guests are guaranteed a personalized check-in experience.
With just one check-in desk, the receptionist greeted us warmly with a glass of champagne. The check-in experience was highly personalized, and the receptionist gave us recommendations for activities.
During check-in, the receptionist greeted us with champagne to celebrate our recent wedding.
Although we hadn't booked a hot air balloon tour, the hotel suggested we wake up early to witness the hot air balloons soaring through the sky. They even offered to call us 10-15 minutes before the balloons took off, which was very considerate. Additionally, I was delighted to learn that my Hyatt Globalist status earned us an upgrade to the Nanshe suite.
The suites at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge blended the charm of traditional cave hotels with the sophistication of contemporary rooms.
Converted from a natural stone cave, the Nanshe suite boasted modern amenities while retaining the region's unique charm. The receptionist then gave us a brief tour of the property and personally escorted us to our suite, ensuring we felt welcome and well-cared for from the moment we arrived.
Bedroom Review
As I entered through the heavy wooden door into the arched doorway, the distinct stone walls immediately reminded me that I was in a cave hotel.
Our Nanshe suite beautifully combined the rustic charm of a cave hotel with the sleek design of a modern room.
From the foyer, I ascended gently illuminated wooden stairs into the spacious bedroom.
The suite featured a unique layout, distinctively separating the bathroom from the bedroom.
A king-sized bed stood against the natural stone walls, adorned with heart-shaped balloons and rose petals—a thoughtful gesture from the hotel staff to celebrate our honeymoon.
The hotel staff warmly welcomed us with heart-shaped balloons and rose petals to celebrate our honeymoon.
The hotel didn’t forget to accompany a heartwarming card with it, instantly melting our hearts. The mattress was very comfortable, and at the foot of the bed was a pull-out sleeper sofa for an additional guest. Each bedside had a small round wooden nightstand with a wall-mounted lamp. The light switches were unusual in design and lacked labels or symbols. They operated by rotating each knob until it clicked, which required a few trials and errors to figure out. The suite featured a traditional flatscreen TV on the wall and a gas fireplace, which I had been particularly excited about since we visited Cappadocia in November, but unfortunately, the fireplace was broken.
The living space would have been cozier if the fireplace had worked properly.
The living area had a coffee table showcasing beautiful natural wood grains, and the hotel provided welcome amenities including baklava and a bowl of fresh fruits.
As a welcome amenity, the hotel provided us with delicious baklava and a bowl of fresh fruits.
Additionally, the minibar offered a demi bottle of champagne, a bottle of water, a Lavazza espresso machine, and artisanal Turkish tea from Melez.
We were delighted to discover that the suite included a variety of complimentary beverages, including a demi bottle of champagne.
The minibar housed a pullout mini-fridge, fully stocked with beverages like beer and soda, but similar to the fireplace, it didn’t work, failing to cool down the beverages.
The pullout fridge was fully stocked with drinks and snacks, but it didn't effectively cool its contents.
Given our extended stay at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge, the hotel's maintenance team had to come out and spend some time fixing the mechanical issue. A small work desk was positioned in the corner of the suite, decorated with an attractive photo of Cappadocia in winter.
The work desk featured a flip mirror with storage, which was convenient for getting ready in the morning.
The desk received plenty of natural light since it was next to the door leading to the private balcony. Even though the balcony was small, it featured a cozy deck with a hanging hammock chair and an outdoor side table with chairs.
The hanging hammock chair was unexpectedly comfortable, and the outdoor deck provided a perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee.
The hammock chair was surprisingly comfortable, offering a stunning view of the Uchisar Valley. The unobstructed sunrise and sunset views were breathtaking.
It was a true delight to enjoy the breathtaking view of Uchisar Valley at my convenience.
My upgraded cave suite was extraordinary, but it was slightly disappointing to encounter some nonfunctional amenities and electricals. Despite the maintenance team's efforts, issues with the mini-fridge, gas fireplace, and some light switches persisted. However, the staff was exceptionally accommodating and understanding, always eager to resolve any problems we faced during our stay.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was located by the foyer and beautifully showcased the space's natural stone walls. The floor was gently heated, and the bathroom featured a double-sink vanity with a marble top. Ambient lighting beneath the countertop and behind the mirror highlighted the stunning stone patterns.
The bathroom boasted a stunning marble design, complemented by the luxurious addition of heated flooring.
With ample countertop space, organizing our personal toiletries was effortless. The hotel provided L’Occitane bath products in communal bottles, aligning with its sustainability focus.
While I appreciated the L’Occitane bath products, I would have preferred toiletries made by a Turkish brand.
Although the bathroom lacked a bathtub, it featured a water closet for an extra layer of privacy. The walk-in shower supplied both a rainfall showerhead and a handheld option.
The photo didn’t capture the intriguing ceiling details that highlighted its authentic cave hotel charm.
A towel warmer added a luxurious touch, making it pleasing to wrap in a toasty towel after a refreshing shower.
Even without a bathtub, the hotel beautifully spotlighted the natural and authentic beauty of the cave hotel.
I appreciated the upscale amenities in the bathroom, including the towel warmer and heated flooring. It's important to note that the hotel lacks a spa facility, so if you prefer a bath in your suite, be sure to book a room with a tub.
Rooftop Garden Review
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge had three floors, with the top floor dedicated to The Plum, the hotel’s restaurant, which had access to an outdoor rooftop garden where some of its organic produce is sourced.
The hotel’s restaurant, Plum, took pride in growing and sourcing organic vegetables from its rooftop garden.
After exploring the nearby Ushisar Castle, we decided to visit the garden and enjoy a glass of wine on the rooftop deck before dinner.
Guests could dine and relax on the rooftop deck, where they could also enjoy watching hot air balloons drift by in the morning.
The garden was peaceful, presenting magnificent views of Cappadocia from every angle. While I wasn’t sure what types of grapes were being cultivated, the wooden plank path and vineyard added a charming touch.
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge offers a wine tasting experience for those interested.
My favorite part was the lavender field, filling the garden with its fragrant floral scent.
The rooftop garden was blooming with lavender and filled the air with delightful floral scent.
After exploring the rooftop garden, we sat at a table and ordered delicious local Turkish wine from Cappadocia. The wine was delicious and was served with hazelnuts and almonds.
Before dinner, we tasted local Turkish wine from Cappadocia, served with complimentary nuts.
As the sun set and the temperature dropped, the restaurant staff brought out blankets and started a fire pit, ensuring much-needed warmth.
The view from the hotel was timelessly captivating, no matter the time of day.
The sunset and the lights from neighboring hotels created a picturesque view of Uchisar, highlighting the awe-inspiring rock formations.
At night, the lighting from neighboring cave hotels added a whole new dimension to the view.
I highly recommend all guests at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge enjoy a glass of wine and a striking view of Ushisar on the rooftop garden.
Breakfast Review—The Plum
Breakfast was served at The Plum from 8 AM to 10:30 AM, and the indoor dining space boasted modern interiors with tall windows that seamlessly connected the dining area to the outdoor deck, creating an expansive and inviting atmosphere.
Plum was the only restaurant on site and served breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Breakfast at The Plum offered guests a choice between à la carte items or a prix fixe menu for €30 per person. With my Hyatt Globalist status, the prix fixe breakfast was complimentary for my wife and me.
The prix-fixe menu was reasonably priced and, fortunately, was covered by my Hyatt Globalist status.
We were instructed to choose one secondary plate and one breakfast entree each. The prix fixe menu included juice, coffee, organic vegetables from the rooftop garden, Turkish cheese and meats, various local olives, Kaymak with honeycomb, Turkish bread, and more.
Everything was delicious, but, of couse, my favorite dish was Kaymak with honeycomb.
Our order arrived promptly, and the rich, creamy Kaymak with honeycomb was undoubtedly my favorite. The Turkish bread, cheeses, and meats were delightful, and the organic tomatoes and cucumbers from the rooftop garden were exceptionally flavorful.
The tomatoes and cucumbers were lightly dressed with Aegean olive oil.
During our stay, we tried various secondary plates, including fried sucuk (Turkish beef sausage), grilled halloumi cheese, a seasonal fruit plate, and a pastry basket. Though I wasn't a fan of sucuk in Istanbul, frying it significantly enhanced its flavor.
The sucuk at Plum tasted exceptionally better, as it was lightly fried to enhance its natural flavors.
My wife loved the grilled halloumi for its tangy taste, but given the variety of cheeses included in the breakfast, it may not be necessary unless you specifically want some grilled halloumi.
The grilled halloumi was a hearty protein alternative, particularly for those who don't eat meat.
For entrees, we sampled Menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes), Asian-style noodle soup, and French toast.
The Menemen at Plum had a slightly looser consistency compared to other restaurants, but the flavor was excellent.
The French toast was our least favorite, being dry inside and overly cooked outside. I highly suggest ordering traditional Turkish dishes.
The French toast was our least favorite dish due to its dryness and overcooked texture.
However, the Asian-style noodle soup was delicious, packed with a flavorful broth with a slight heat.
Surprisingly, the Asian-style noodle soup was delicious, with a broth that had a satisfying spicy kick.
After breakfast, we enjoyed a cup of Turkish tea to conclude our meal. The overall breakfast experience was very pleasant; the restaurant staff was attentive, frequently refilling our beverages and checking in with us.
We always concluded our breakfast with a comforting glass of Turkish tea, savoring its rich flavor and warmth as a perfect end to our morning meal.
Even without Hyatt Globalist status, the quality and quantity of the dishes would more than justify the cost. I highly recommend having breakfast at The Plum when staying at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
With only eleven rooms, Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge felt incredibly private. Its location at the end of a dead-end street meant we rarely heard any cars or tourists, enhancing the sense of exclusivity. Additionally, staying at a cave hotel was an exceptionally unique experience.
Breakfast at The Plum was delightful, and the €30 prix fixe breakfast was very reasonably priced given the high-quality ingredients. I also recommend enjoying a glass of Turkish wine in the rooftop garden when the weather is nice.
The staff quickly learned our names and provided truly personalized hospitality. From check-in to check-out, we were always greeted with a smile, and the staff ensured our stay was comfortable and pleasant.
Negatives
The only downside was that some amenities and electricals in my upgraded suite were not functional. However, I appreciated the hotel's prompt efforts to resolve the issues.
Summary
Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge, a boutique hotel in the Uchisar Valley of trendy Cappadocia, is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio. With only 11 rooms, the hotel felt incredibly private, and the service from the staff was personalized and attentive. Our upgraded cave suite had a private balcony allowing us to savor Cappadocia’s stunning landscape day and night. If your room doesn’t have a balcony, the rooftop garden is a perfect spot to enjoy the surrounding nature and hot air balloons, especially with a glass of Turkish wine. The breakfast at The Plum was exceptional, and though some in-room amenities didn’t function properly, the hotel went above and beyond to make our stay as comfortable as possible. For an intimate luxury experience in the Cappadocia region, I highly recommend staying at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge.
