Museum Hotel

Situated as it is between Europe and Asia, Turkey is a land comfortable with dualities: east and west, religious and secular, ancient and modern. It’s no surprise that the Museum Hotel, in the Central Anatolian region, also blends two distinct hotel experiences: luxury and history. Recent visitors, perhaps lured in part by the slew of awards the hotel has been racking up recently, span a range of demographics, from heads of state to the ladies of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit calendar. But the big draw, swimsuit models aside, isn’t the crowd; it's Cappadocia’s famous underground cities. Constructed by early Christians to hide from the Roman Empire, these cities consist of great labyrinths carved into and beneath the volcanic rock. Rooms have been restored to modern versions of these cave-like habitats. The exposed rock, overlaid with thick woven rugs and heavy gilt mirrors, is totally authentic. In one so-called Cave Suite, the tub is tucked beneath a natural awning; in another, the headboard is a series of mini-caves, ideal for storing a book or another nighttime need. If you’re into antiques, you won’t have to leave the hotel. The owner’s vast collection of museum-certified tapestries, furniture, and other objets d’art from the Romans and Ottomans, among others, decorate the hotel, including Lil’a Restaurant, which specializes in—no surprises here—both classic and modern takes on the regional cuisine. But you’ll be fine just staying in your room too: besides the obvious amenities, such as Jacuzzis and LCD televisions, the hotel boasts stunning views of the unusual rural landscape, dotted with the stone houses still used by locals.