Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge - Special Class

We paid €750 for two nights, Monday to Wednesday, and it was way overpriced. Museum Hotel next door has a much better view, nicer rooms, and friendlier staff for the same price. The balloon ride was a huge red flag. They charged €310 per person and said it was the only option, but the same provider, Universal Balloon, quoted €125. To be fair, they’re good. When we challenged the hotel, they said quality varies a lot and they needed to make sure we got the best, but everyone else was paying €125-150. Where did the extra €350-380 go? The manager’s pockets? I booked through Hilton Honors and should have received an upgrade as a Gold member. Instead, we got the worst room, which we had paid for, even though at least three nicer rooms were empty. Over the two hours we spent at breakfast, we only saw one other guest group. The sheets had the same stain for two nights, despite my asking for them to be changed on the second night. The jacuzzi water was very dirty, with bugs floating on top. The shower handle was broken, and the door wouldn’t shut properly, so water splashed everywhere. It was extremely hard to find, the pavements were bad to walk on and slippery, and the slopes everywhere were very steep. The staff seemed poorly trained and rude, and didn’t know basic things. I asked how old the castle five minutes away was and was told, “I don’t know.” Another man shut the door in my face.

We had dinner at Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge on a rainy day in Cappadocia, and it made the evening memorable. The atmosphere was just right, the service was unbelievable, and the staff took excellent care of us. The food was delicious and made with very fresh ingredients. It’s a world-class lodge, one of the best in the area. We really appreciate everyone who made the evening special, and highly recommend it for a refined, elegant, memorable experience in the region.

The rooms were spacious and really nice, and the staff were amazing. A very memorable stay.

The cave rooms were a fun novelty, and sleeping in one felt quite different from a regular room. Service was warm all around, from the front desk, especially Elif, to housekeeping and the restaurant team. Dining was great, and the extra paid services on site seemed reasonably priced, considering everything. You do pay a premium for the view and location, and they deliver on it. The terrace and garden were perfect for watching the balloons at sunrise.