Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Athole Guest House, Bath, England, United Kingdom
Nominated By: Lisa Lubin, Chicago, Illinois, USA, February '09

Price Range: £58-£93 (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 4 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Athole Guest House so Darn Good? Housed in a lovingly and beautifully restored Victorian home, the Athole Guest House stands out as a true gem in my two and half years of traveling. From the moment they picked me up at the bus station, I enjoyed my chats with the Athole’s extremely friendly and down-to earth innkeepers, Wolfgang and Josephine. Plus, I indulged in some quality purring time with their cat, Moth.

Location: Bath, a small city one hundred miles west of London, is famous for its millennia-old Roman baths and stately Georgian architecture. Bath’s bevy of honey-hued classical façades, all built from local limestone, give the city its distinctive appearance, and are just one reason the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Athole Guest House is a fifteen minute walk uphill from the center of town in an upscale and very safe neighborhood.

Rooms: The Athole has two deluxe rooms and two standard rooms, all of which are spacious and named after writers who lived in Bath. I splurged on a deluxe room which was huge, bright, and immaculate. It was a cheerful yellow and had a sitting area with sofa and armchairs, a super comfy bed, and a flat screen TV. Guests can also unwind in the lovely outdoor garden or Victorian conservatory.

Food: Breakfast is made fresh daily using mostly local and/or organic ingredients and is absolutely scrumptious! The menu includes traditional English specialties such as smoked salmon & scrambled eggs with horseradish cream and welsh rarebit with bacon & poached eggs. In addition, your hosts set out a fabulous breakfast buffet featuring Wolfgang’s original Swiss-style muesli, home-made blueberry yogurt, freshly baked breads, buttermilk pancakes, and fruit salad.

Vibe: Staying at the Athole is like staying in a big lovely home. Wolfgang and Josephine are wonderful hosts and all around great people. They turned on the heat in the conservatory so I could read, provided me with a big plush towel for the nearby spa, and gave me a ton of great ideas for things to do in town.

Things to Keep in Mind: The Guest House is not in the heart of town, but is still within walking distance. If you are coming by bus or train, the innkeepers will pick you up and drop you off at the station.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Camilla House, Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Nominated By: P Dubrow, San Mateo, California, December '09

Price Range: £38-£85 # of Rooms: 8 Kid-Friendly:

What makes the Camilla House so Darn Good? The inn has friendly and helpful owners and an excellent location just a block from the town’s sea-front promenade.

Location: In its heyday at the turn of the century, Penzance was a fashionable seaside resort, and some relics of the town’s colorful history remain, most notably the open-air Art Deco style Jubilee bathing pool just a few blocks from the Camilla House. Today, Penzance’s seaside promenade, art galleries, and historic architecture continue to make the town a popular summer destination. Penzance is the westernmost town in England in the County of Cornwall, and is a good base to explore the area’s rugged coastline, Celtic ruins, and medieval castles.

Rooms: Each of the eight rooms in this Georgian townhouse is tastefully decorated and comes with fluffy white towels and bathrobes. Our “classic” room looked out on a green churchyard, but all “superior” rooms have views of Penzance promenade and Mount’s Bay. Guests can also relax in the inn’s lounge or small bar which has a selection of Cornish beers and malt whisky.

Food: Camilla House offers many choices for a full English breakfast and uses locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal produce whenever possible. House favorites include the platter of fresh fruit, local Cornish cheeses, and natural yogurt; and the locally smoked haddock poached with an egg. For excursions along the coast or into the countryside, the Camilla House will provide packed lunches or picnic hampers, and for quiet evenings at home, the inn serves light dinners in its dining room. In addition, several restaurants and pubs are within easy walking distance.

Vibe: The Camilla House is very relaxing, and Simon and Susan, the inn’s friendly hosts, greet guests with a pot of tea, maps, and an informative introduction to the area.

Keep in Mind: Penzance is easily reachable by public transportation from London and has several busses to surrounding towns. Camilla House loans out bikes and will drop guests off at points along the South West Coast Path.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Inn-Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Nominated By: Lisa Lubin, Chicago, Illinois, USA, February '09

check availability, get rates, and reserve online at hostelbookers

Price Range: 40-80 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 14 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Inn-Berlin so Darn Good? This small hostel is shiny, bright, and spotless, and its owners, Ralph and Yvonne, are extremely friendly and helpful.

Location: Inn-Berlin is located a bit north of central Berlin, but the trip to most of the city’s main districts can be made in just fifteen minutes on either the U-Bahn or S-Bahn. Both trains are a five minute walk from the hostel, and city busses stop right in front of the building.

Rooms: The rooms are bright and clean, and all have fluffy down comforters encased in colorful duvets. The style is Ikea-minimal with clean lines. Rooms have cool and whimsical murals on their walls, and most importantly, they all come with their very own good-luck gnomes! Rooms have from one to four beds, and have private bathrooms.

Food: Inn-Berlin’s breakfast buffet includes muesli, toast with marmalade or chocolate cream, cookies, orange juice, coffee, and tea. The hostel has a fully equipped communal kitchen for guests looking to cook their own meals, and the neighborhood has numerous cafes serving tasty and inexpensive food.

Vibe: The hostel is funky, modern, and quiet, and is run by a sharp, cute German couple who will happily help you navigate the city.

Things to Keep in Mind: Inn-Berlin is not within walking distance to the city’s main attractions, but I thought it was cool to stay in a “real” Berlin neighborhood off the tourist track.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Pension Marianna, Nafplio, Greece
Nominated By: novelgazer, Bratislava, Slovakia, April '09

Price Range: 70-75 Euros (breakfast is 5 €/person) # of Rooms: 14 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Pension Marianna so Darn Good? The Zotos brothers, the innkeepers at Pension Marianna, are welcoming in a real way. From the moment you arrive, all your stress just flies out the window, over the orange trees, past the perfectly picturesque town of Nafplio, and out to sea.

Location: Nafplio, a small port town on the Peloponnese peninsula, is just 150 kilometers southwest of Athens. Once an important Venetian stronghold, and later the first capital of modern Greece, the old town impresses visitors with its neoclassical mansions, flower-bedecked Venetian balconies, and trio of impressive fortresses. Nafplio also hosts a collection of worthwhile museums, including the first, and perhaps only one in the world dedicated to kombolois, or worry-beads. Perched right below the Akronafplia fortress walls, Pension Marianna provides spectacular views of Nafplio and the Gulf of Argolidas in the distance.

Rooms: The recently renovated rooms at Pension Marianna are modern and comfortable, and all have views of the town below. We were on a budget, and Pension Marianna by far was the nicest place we stayed in Greece. We kept thinking there had been a mistake – no way could we afford a hotel this good!

Food: With their home-made marmalade, freshly-baked marble pound cake, and oranges picked right from their own trees, the Zotos brothers take the traditional Greek breakfast of bread, yogurt, honey, and hard boiled eggs to the next level. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace, and the view alone is reason enough to linger.

Vibe: The Pension is relaxed and romantic.

Things to Keep in Mind: While you can drive to the Pension on the fortress side, keep in mind that getting to and from the Pension from the old town requires climbing many steps. Also, rooms range in size and luxury and payment is cash only.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

The Beehive, Rome, Italy
Nominated By: Jamie, Brooklyn, NY, May '08

Price Range: 20-80 Euros # of Rooms: 7 + dormitory Kid-Friendly: Yes

What makes The Beehive so Darn Good? We LOVE the Beehive. It’s modern, cool, comfortable, and has a beautiful outdoor garden. The Beehive is just a few blocks from the main train station, the Stazione Termini, so with a snap of your fingers you can get just about anywhere in Rome.

Location: While the Termini neighborhood may not be Rome's most exciting, you can still find some restaurants and outdoor cafes. The neighborhood felt safe and there was always someone at the Beehive’s front desk when we came home at night.

Rooms: The hotel has 6 double rooms, 1 double/triple room, and a dormitory. The rooms are not lavish, but they are modern and colorful with some funky furniture and great artwork on the walls. Although the rooms do not have en-suite bathrooms, the shared bathrooms are very nice and clean, and there was never a wait.

Food: The Beehive Cafe serves Mediterranean-inspired, vegetarian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The kitchen uses local and organic ingredients and offers a selection of organic wines. Guests can eat inside, or outside in the garden.

Vibe: The Beehive is a very relaxing and easy going place to wind down after a day of sight-seeing. We enjoyed just hanging out in the garden with good books until dinner. The owners, Linda and Steve, are a friendly and down-to-earth American couple who were always happy to chat with us and give us tips on things to do in Rome.

Things to Keep in Mind: Call way in advance to make a reservation because The Beehive books up quickly.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Saint Anthony's Guest House, Assisi, Umbria, Italy
Nominated By: Allison and Michael, Brooklyn, NY, March '08

Price Range: 40-60 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 20 Kid-Friendly: Yes

What makes Saint Anthony's Guest House so Darn Good? St. Anthony's Guesthouse is run by a fabulous group of Franciscan Sisters, and is situated smack dab in the middle of Assisi. Many of the rooms have tiny terraces which provide amazing views of the Basilica di Santa Chiara, the town of Assisi, and the surrounding countryside. And to top it off, the price is right!

Location: Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a gorgeous Umbrian hill town two hours from Rome. It is the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy's patron saint of animals and nature, and a major pilgrimage site. Although it can get a little crowded during the day, when the tour busses go home, the place is yours, and oh what a wonderful place it is! The location of St. Anthony's Guest House can't be beat. It's just up the hill from the Piazza del Comune and a fifteen minute walk from the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, famous for its incredible frescoes depicting St. Francis's life.

Rooms: The rooms at St. Anthony's are basic, and all have twin beds. You should definitely ask for one with a view! The guest house also has plenty of places to relax outside of your room, including a library, garden, and comfortable sitting area.

Food: The Sisters serve an Italian-style continental breakfast in a twelfth century dining room on the lower floor of the guest house. Breakfast items include yogurt, cheese, chocolate spread, cereal, bread, juice, and coffee.

Vibe: Good vibes emanate from the Sisters who run the guest house, and peace and tranquility preside over the grounds. Each Sister has a fascinating story to tell and they were all very happy to advise us on our day's activities. We especially liked the tree-lined garden outside the chapel for reading and relaxing.

Things to Keep in Mind: The guest house has a five Euro per day parking fee and an 11 pm curfew.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Vento di Rose, Monterubbiano, Marche, Italy
Nominated By: Allison and Michael, Brooklyn, NY, February '08

make a reservation inquiry directly with Vento di Rose

Price Range: 80-90 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 3 Kid-Friendly: Yes

What makes Vento di Rose so Darn Good? Vento di Rose is a true labor of love. The owners, Emanuela and Emidio, are some of the kindest and most generous people we have ever met. Their home and bed and breakfast is a beautifully restored Italian country house with views of medieval hilltop towns in every direction. And as if this weren't enough, Emanuela prepares an incredible, delectable breakfast for all her lucky guests.

Location: Vento di Rose is located near the small hilltop town of Monterubbiano in the Marches province, just east of Umbria. Within a short drive, you can sun yourself on an Adriatic beach, hike the great Sibillini Mountains, or explore any one of a number of lovely hilltop towns. The Marches is a remarkably beautiful part of Italy and well worth the trip.

Rooms: Vento di Rose has three lovely rooms. We stayed in the orange hued Crepuscolo (a.k.a. sunset) room, which was large and delightful. Emanuela and Emidio have scattered chairs and hammocks throughout their gorgeous garden property so guests have plenty of choices when they just want to relax and let the Italian countryside do its magic. The B & B also has a downstairs kitchen available for guests to use.

Food: You don’t know what breakfast is until you’ve stayed at Vento di Rose. Emanuela puts out a spread like you would not believe, using mostly local ingredients and including many regional specialties. Just a few of her delicacies include rose petal cake, frittatas with wild asparagus, crostini smothered in truffle spread, and cucumber slices coated with parmigiano and walnuts. If you can’t eat everything, don’t worry! Emanuela gives you tin foil so you can wrap it up to enjoy for lunch.

Vibe: Emanuela and Emidio were extraordinarily warm and welcoming to us and our two year old. One evening, they invited us to join a toast when their friends came over to celebrate their engagement, and the next day Emidio schooled our fascinated little boy on the art of gardening, even giving him a little shovel to join in. Emanuela and Emidio truly made us feel as if we were part of the family, and a much loved part of the family at that! Vento di Rose is a secret gem and should not be missed.

Things to Keep in Mind: There is about a one kilometer drive up a slightly steep gravel road to get to the house.

Get more information.

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Lisbon Dreams Guest House, Lisbon, Portugal
Nominated By: Jeanine Barone , New York City, New York, November '09

check availability, get rates, and reserve online at hostelbookers

Price Range: 45-65 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 10 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Lisbon Dreams Guest House so Darn Good? Lisbon Dreams Guest House is a minimalist sun-filled haven with a touch of luxury. What other budget accommodation could say that Joanna Gomes, who's noted for her tableware, ceramic and glass creations, designed their interiors? But the real selling point of this accommodation is the meandering patio that's accessible from a multitude of rooms. I could've spent all day and evening lounging in one of the many chairs, taking in the sun, dining at one of the tables, or reading beside one of the many potted plants.

Location: Easily accessibly to several metro stations, the guest house, which opened in May 2009, is only a short walk to Avenida de Liberdade, Lisbon's main thoroughfare. The neighborhood, snuggled between the Rato and Marques de Pombal neighborhoods, is also where Portugal's Prime Minister has a home.

Rooms: The ten minimally furnished guest rooms carry a white on white motif, with the only colored hues coming from the throw pillows, headboards, and ubiquitous green apples. Your hosts have also provided each guest with white towels, slippers, and robes. In addition, guests can relax in the comfy lounge that's equipped with a laptop, plasma screen TV, and dozens of paperbacks.

Food: The breakfast may not be homemade, but it is large and you can enjoy it in a lovely dining space that's hung with an artistic paper chandelier and decorated with multi-colored throw rugs. You'll have your choice of green apples and other fresh fruits, whole wheat bread, warm croissants, pastries, several kinds of jams, various meats and cheeses, and even chocolate milk. The kitchen is quite complete with a microwave and stove, so guests may cook their own meals if they wish.

Vibe: Lisbon Dreams is low key, casual, and comfortable.

Keep in Mind: None of the rooms have private baths, but the shared bathrooms are meticulously clean, and come with petite face towels and large tubs. In addition, the rooms don't have air conditioning but I was there in the summer and found it plenty comfortable.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Zuzabed and Breakfast, Lisbon, Portugal
Nominated By: Don and Julie, Hampshire, United Kingdom, September '08

Price Range: 70-95 Euros (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 4 Kid-Friendly: yes, but no babies

What makes the Zuzabed and Breakfast so Darn Good? The star attraction at Zuzabed is its owner, Luis. He made us feel incredibly welcome, and was helpful in all possible ways. He even gave us a cell phone so we could call him anytime we needed advice or a reservation. Luis knows the best places to hear fado music, and is very knowledgeable about all things Lisbon. You couldn't feel more at home in a strange city than at Zuzabed.

Location: Located up a steep alleyway near Lisbon’s historic Bairro Alto neighborhood, Zuzabed offers amazing views of the city from its bedrooms. Come nighttime, the neighborhood’s narrow cobblestone streets and 17th century buildings light up with a lively restaurant, music, and shopping scene. The B & B is conveniently located just off Rossio, one of the Lisbon’s main squares, and is very close to the Metro.

Rooms: Zuzabed’s four modern rooms are beautifully appointed and spotless. Two have a shared balcony overlooking the city and all come with a DVD player, heated towel racks, and even a pair of binoculars to admire the view.

Food: Luis serves an excellent breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, local cheeses, meats, breads, and yogurt. For lunch or dinner, you will find no shortage of restaurants on the street just below Zuzabed. The nearby Argentinean restaurant "Café Buenos Aires" is especially good.

Vibe: Luis is an inspired host who simply cannot do enough for his guests.

Things to Keep in Mind: The last 20-30 meters of street leading to Zuzabed’s front door is too steep for cars, so guests will need to be able to climb up and down stairs.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Blacket Garden Flat, Edinburgh, Scotland
Nominated By: BellaRialto, La Jolla, California, USA, November '08

check availability, get rates, and reserve online at hostelworld

Price Range: £70-£90 (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 2 Kid-Friendly: Yes

What makes Blacket Garden Flat so Darn Good? Quite simply, the innkeepers make this place so darn good! Isobel and James are exceptionally accommodating, thoughtful, and helpful.

Location: Blacket Garden Flat is located in a quiet neighborhood, just ten minutes by bus to the Royal Mile, the heart of Old Town Edinburgh and home to many historical attractions. The walk to city center is enjoyable, with plenty of places to eat, shop, and explore along the way. A few blocks from the flat is Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s highest point and a popular place to hike for sweeping views of the city below.

Rooms: The Flat has two rooms, large and very large! The furnishings are warm and homey, and the bed is very comfortable. We loved the little extras, like the CD player and CD’s, books, refrigerator with fresh milk and juices, and pot to heat up coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. We stayed for a week, so we truly appreciated the good sized armoire and drawers for storage.

Food: Breakfast is fantastic! Guests can choose from a small, but fabulous, menu that includes traditional Scottish fare such as smoked salmon, haggis, potato hash, fried mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes. Yoghurt, fruit, pastries, juice and hot drinks round out the meal.

Vibe: Homey and relaxing.

Things to Keep in Mind: Scotland can get a good amount of rain, so remember your raincoat!

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Hostal Miguel, Nerja, Spain
Nominated By: Lisa Lubin, Chicago, Illinois, USA, February '09

check availability, get rates, and reserve online at hostelbookers

Price Range: 28-52 Euros (breakfast extra) # of Rooms: 9 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Hostal Miguel so Darn Good? Hostal Miguel is a sweet and simple guesthouse in a lovely beach town.

Location: The guesthouse is located on a pedestrian street in the heart of Nerja’s old town. Plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants are right out the door, and the beach is just a few minutes walk away. Nerja is fifty kilometers east of Málaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Rooms: With their white-washed walls, traditional wooden furnishings, and bright cushions and wall-hangings, the Hostal’s nine comfortable rooms are all decorated in typical Andalucían style. In the downstairs salon, guests can relax with a book from the multi-language shared library.

Food: Breakfast is served on Hostal Miguel’s beautiful rooftop terrace. The coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice are certainly nice, but the views of the Mediterrean Sea and Axarquia Mountains are absolutely spectacular. Scrambled eggs, croissants, and sliced meats and cheeses are all available on the breakfast menu.

Vibe: Hostal Miguel’s innkeepers, Ian and Jane, are a lovely and down to earth British couple, and the vibe at the guesthouse is easy-going and friendly.

Things to Keep in Mind: The Hostal does not have an elevator or AC, but all rooms have ceiling fans to keep them cool.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Hotel Rural Cuartamenteru, Poo de Llanes, Asturias, Spain
Nominated By: Michael, Brooklyn, New York, January '10

Price Range: # of Rooms: Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Hotel Rural Cuartamenteru so Darn Good? The Hotel Rural Cuartamenteru is an immaculately maintained small hotel in Asturias, only a few kilometers away from spectacular beaches and a five minute drive to the lively beach town of Llanes. The hotel has its own micro-sidreria, which the owner gave me a tour of within ten minutes of our arrival - including my first taste of the Asturians' beloved hard apple cider.

Location: Cuartamenteru is perfectly situated between the northern coast of Spain and the stunning Picos mountains in the little hamlet of Poo de Llanes (that we affectionately called Poo in English). Poo has its own gathering place at the crossroads of the main road, but the real action is in Llanes, at least during the summer, where we enjoyed the weekend carnival atmosphere and the enticing old town packed with restaurants, shops, and sidrerias.

Rooms: Our room was modern, clean, brightly painted, and decorated with hanging masks from Asturian mythology. The bathroom had all the amenities one would expect at a luxury hotel, even including toothpaste and shoe polish. A second one story cottage adjacent to the main building housed a very comfortable glass-enclosed sitting room along with the sidreria and breakfast area.

Food: Fresh pastries, cereal, yogurt, as well as juice, coffee and tea were all included in the continental breakfast. We ate in the colorful breakfast room because it was a bit chilly in the mornings, but there was also seating on the outside porch overlooking the grassy yard and the Picos mountains.

Vibe: The vibe was quiet and friendly. Not only did the owner introduce me to the local cider, but he also gave us many very helpful suggestions on which beaches, towns, and sites to visit.

Keep in Mind: Poo de Llanes is not Llanes, so if you want to stay right in the heart of a Spanish beach town, then the Cuartamenteru is not for you.

Get more information.

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Pension Altair, San Sebastian-Donostia, Spain
Nominated By: Allison and Michael, Brooklyn, New York, USA, August '09

Price Range: 36-82 Euro # of Rooms: 10 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Pension Altair so Darn Good? Pension Altair is sparkly new, modern, and sleek! Its owner, Ricardo, is super-friendly and was very sweet and welcoming to us and our three year old boy. We enjoyed our daily chats with him and appreciated his great tips on things to do and places to eat in San Sebastian. The Pension is just a short walk to Gros beach, one of the city’s three main beaches.

Location: The pension is located in the Gros neighborhood of stylish San Sebastian on Spain’s northern coast. From the pension, it is just a fifteen minute walk across the bridge to San Sebastian’s happening old town, and not much further to the famous Playa de la Concha.

Rooms: Pension Altair’s ten rooms are located on two floors of a well-kept apartment building (think marble-floored foyer) with an elevator. The rooms are modern and new, and are decorated in soothing neutral tones. The beds are comfortable and the towels are soft. We stayed in a slightly larger room in the back, but the front rooms have arched windows overlooking the street.

Food: While the pension does not serve food, San Sebastian is well known for its tapas restaurants and cutting-edge Basque cuisine. If you don’t want to head to the old town, the Gros neighborhood has plenty of patisseries for breakfast, as well as cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Vibe: The Pension is a cool, happy place, with a friendly vibe.

Keep in Mind: The front desk is only open at certain hours, so be sure to call ahead before arriving. Also, if you are driving, street parking is free on weekends, and on weekdays, free parking can be found up the hill on the other side of Gros….. Just ask Ricardo!

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Esbelli Evi, Urgup, Cappadocia, Turkey
Nominated By: Lynsey, Washington, D.C., December '09

Price Range: US$140-$300 # of Rooms: 13 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Esbelli Evi so Darn Good? Esbelli Evi is pure heaven and it is worth going to Cappadocia just to stay there! We stayed in the enormous and beautiful junior suite, and my favorite experience was soaking in our big tub with a glass of delicious Cappadocian wine, complimentary with our room. The staff is wonderfully friendly and helpful without being intrusive, and they arranged a taxi for us to see all of the attractions, as well as a hot-air balloon tour of the area (do this!).

Location: Esbelli Evi is in Central Turkey in the town of Urgup within walking distance to many restaurants and shops. The location allows for easy drives to all of Cappadocia’s main sites, including the area’s famous cave churches and underground cities.

Rooms: The hotel is constructed from several traditional Cappadocian stone houses and the 6th-century caves behind them and has ten rooms and nine suites, each one different from the next. All rooms have hardwood floors, modern bathrooms with marble showers, Ottoman-style furniture, kilim carpets, and traditional lace curtains. Some also have fireplaces or naturally formed chimneys. Our room was elegant and luxurious, yet felt authentic, and we appreciated the outstanding wifi.

Food: Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The food is delicious, and includes freshly baked breads, cheese, olives, tomatoes, boiled eggs, and fresh orange juice. The hotel also puts out such treats as cookies, wine, and juice all day long.

Vibe: Esbelli Evi is a welcoming, peaceful retreat and a stay there is both a luxurious and cultural experience.

Keep in Mind: Rooms are all different sizes, so be sure to ask for a larger room if you need one.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).

Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Ayvali, Cappadocia, Turkey
Nominated By: Dee Andrews, Boulder, Colorado, December '09

check availability, get rates, and reserve online at whl

Price Range: 68-350 Euro # of Rooms: 25 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the Gamirasu Cave Hotel so Darn Good? We arrived late in the evening in a very small and remote Turkish village. The night was dark and we felt some trepidation, but once we walked onto the grounds, it was just magical. We felt like we were in another world with the caves lit up around us, and the lights sparkling in the trees. The rooms are very luxurious, the staff is friendly, the food is great, and the views and atmosphere are so different and unique. Gamirasu is truly a very special place.

Location: The Gamirasu Cave Hotel is in the small village of Ayvali, a tweny minute drive south of Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia. Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination known for its distinctive rock formations, cave churches and houses, and underground cities. The closest airport in Nevsehir is 45 km away, and the hotel will pick guests up free of charge.

Rooms: Gamirasu is a combination of seven ancient troglodyte cave houses with twenty-five rooms, each one amazingly restored and different from the next. All of the rooms are decorated with traditional Cappadocian rugs, and many have traditional sitting corners and fireplaces. Part of the hotel is located in a thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat, and some of the rooms were actually monk cells.

Food: The breakfast buffet is wonderful and plentiful with such treats as home-made jams, locally dried apricots, and fresh cream. We did not eat dinner at the hotel restaurant, but we did have an impromptu lunch one afternoon which was perfect. The kitchen did a great job meeting our quick requests, especially the Turkish grilled cheese for our two daughters! Ayvali has one restaurant, the neighboring town of Mustafapasa has a few more, and Urgup has a bustling nightlife and restaurant scene.

Vibe: Gamirasu is mysterious, exotic, luxurious, and historical.

Keep in Mind: Some of the sites are a bit of a drive from the hotel. Guests who pay in cash receive a 10% discount.

Get more information (map and online bibliography).