BBC Amazing Hotels: Argos in Cappadocia is an unmissable episode
Its otherworldy landscape and distinctive sky full of hot air balloons have made Cappadocia in Turkey one of the world's bucket-list destinations. Equally worthy of a place on such a list is the most famous hotel in this striking region, Argos in Cappadocia.
It's little surprise that this majestic hotel is one of the seven featured in the latest series of the BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, which goes behind the scenes in properties across some of the world's best destinations. This series sees the return of Monica Galetti (who you can meet on a Good Housekeeping Venice cruise in 2025) and Rob Rinder, who are back to explore more wonders of the hotel world.
Before discovering the unique delights of Cappadocia, which feels more like a long-haul holiday than a trip to nearby Turkey, Monica and Rob went further afield to China. Here, they discovered the world's first 'earthscraper' hotel built downwards: InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland.
As well as this, they visit European gems including Hassler in Rome and Six Senses Ibiza. But Argos in Cappadocia is truly a one-of-a-kind spot, built into a network of a 2,000 year-old monastery, underground tunnels and connected ancient caves (another feature for which this unique region has become famous).
There are 51 rooms in this hotel, each entirely different from the last but all with an abundance of local natural materials to give an authentic sense of place. The newest addition to the accommodation is the Tıraz jacuzzi suite, which features a private jacuzzi and Turkish bath so guests can enjoy a spa experience without leaving their own private quarters.
Seki, one of the hotel's restaurants, not only uses local produce, time-honoured tradition and fruits and vegetables grown on-site to create dishes, it also uses region-specific recipes to create flavours that cannot be found anywhere else. Nahita, another dining spot here, focuses on a more innovative take on Anatolian cuisine, though still using produce from within 60km.
Guests can also enjoy full moon walks, sunrise breakfasts, cooking classes and wine tastings – as well as guided tours of the intriguing landscape. During their visit, Monica and Rob find themselves pitching in with housekeeping – which here means brushing cave ceilings – helping with the finishing touches of the new spa and, of course, taking flight in a hot air balloon.
Monica also tries her skilled hand at centuries-old cooking techniques, which are traditional in the area, while Rob explores the history of Cappadocia's caves.
Inspired by the series and keen for an adventure of your own? You can take an exclusive cruise of the Venetian lagoon with Monica Galetti in April 2025 on a Good Housekeeping Holiday, exploring the sights without the usual crowds.
Amazing Hotels: Behind The Lobby airs on BBC Two on Thursday 12 September at 8pm. The series will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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