15 Subterranean And Cave-Style Escapes Worth Discovering

Some of the most unforgettable retreats are built into the earth and carved into caves or cliffs. Stepping into these places immediately shifts how the world feels around you. Here are 15 escapes that bring underground living into the spotlight.

Grand Canyon Caverns Suite, Arizona

An isolated suite rests 200 feet below ground inside the largest dry cavern in the country. A pair of queen beds sit near a vintage bookshelf, with a tiny bathroom built into the rock. With no Wi-Fi or natural light, the silence is total, and the darkness feels endless once the door shuts.

The Cave Suite At The Roxbury, New York

The suite leans into its cartoon theme with textured stone walls and a cave tub shaped like an oversized cauldron. Modeled after “The Flintstones,” the room doesn’t skimp on modern comforts. Part of a themed hotel in the Catskills, it creates a quirky contrast between luxury and lava rock.

The Caves, Negril, Jamaica

Hidden in limestone cliffs above the Caribbean, this hotel has several cottages cradled around sea caves. Patrons can dine in candlelit grottoes or swim directly into small chambers formed by the tide. It’s a secluded, ocean-facing stay where nature surrounds you on every side.

Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy, Australia

Opal mining led the town to create homes and spaces underground. The hotel features aboveground and earth-sheltered rooms, but only the subterranean ones offer natural relief from heat without air conditioning. Walls are carved into pinkish rock, and temperatures remain steady despite the scorching Outback sun.

White Cliffs Underground Motel, New South Wales

An old opal mine was converted into this cave motel in remote Australia. Each room is cut from soft rock, giving the place a raw, earthy feel. With no windows and minimal noise, the rooms stay comfortable even in peak summer—and the silence is absolute.

Les Hautes Roches, Rochecorbon, France

This boutique hotel is positioned along limestone cliffs above the Loire River and keeps parts of its original abbey structure. Rooms are partially tunneled into the cliff, where arched windows frame the view and carved ceilings add to the old-world charm. The setting is peaceful, the air is incredible, and the walls whisper history.

Perivolas Hotel, Santorini, Greece

Once used as storage caves, these carved homes have been renovated into minimalist suites. Whitewashed interiors curve around arched doorways and private terraces facing the sea. Set along the Santorini caldera, the hotel lets the natural rock guide its design instead of covering it up with extras.

La Dimora Di Metello, Matera, Italy

Tunnels carved into the cliffs of Matera now house this small, upscale hotel. Polished concrete and glass accents bring a modern edge to spaces defined by thick, ancient stone. The layout winds through caves and archways, keeping the space quiet and naturally insulated from southern Italy’s heat.

Kokopelli’s Cave, New Mexico

An artificial cave sits below a sandstone bluff; it includes a queen bed and a waterfall shower beside a compact kitchen. Accessible by a short hike, the Kokopelli’s Cave was initially designed as an office but later became a remote desert getaway.

Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia

Used as Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in “Star Wars,” this traditional cave home consists of hand-dug rooms linked by tunnels. The simple spaces are carved into soft sandstone around a sunken courtyard. Tourists visit for the movie history, but many locals still live this way today.

Cap Rocat, Mallorca, Spain

Once a defense fortress, Cap Rocat stands within a 30-hectare nature reserve overlooking the Bay of Palma. Its spa, excavated deep within the old stone structure, includes a serene saltwater pool and a hammam. The architecture blends historic elements with modern luxury, creating a secluded Mediterranean retreat.

Hotel Marhala, Matmata, Tunisia

This subterranean hotel is formed by hand-dug caves set around a central courtyard. Rooms are shaded and cool in the desert heat, and traditional Berber furnishings reflect local character. Berber families have lived this way for centuries, and staying at Hotel Marhala gives a glimpse into their resourceful, sun-smart lifestyle.

The Meritage Resort And Spa, Napa Valley, California

The Meritage includes Spa Terra, a high-end spa located entirely beneath the surface within a 22,000-square-foot estate cave built for barrel aging. Guests can indulge in various treatments in a serene, subterranean setting. The resort also offers vineyard views and proximity to Napa’s notable wineries.

Alexander’s Boutique Hotel, Santorini, Greece

Caldera-facing cave rooms curve right into the island’s volcanic rock. Suites feel calm and private, with arched ceilings and soft lighting set inside whitewashed walls. Small terraces overlook the Aegean Sea, and the cave-style design helps maintain a steady temperature—naturally cool in summer and warmer in winter.

Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, Arkansas

Natural stone walls surround guests in this 5,800-square-foot lodge carved into a cliffside. A quiet Ozark setting surrounds a retreat where a stone-carved rainfall shower anchors the space beside expansive, lodge-style bedrooms. It resembles a luxury bunker hidden high in the hills.