Staying in an underground hotel isn’t about hiding away from the world. It’s about experiencing travel from a completely different perspective. Beneath the surface, these remarkable places offer quiet, natural temperature control, striking design and a sense of immersion that traditional hotels rarely achieve.
Around the world, underground hotels take many forms. Some are carved into ancient rock by hand. Others are modern architectural responses to extreme climates or busy cities. A few are converted mines or bunkers that tell powerful stories about the past. What they share is the ability to turn the earth itself into part of the experience.
For UK travellers looking for something genuinely distinctive, an underground hotel stay delivers novelty and comfort — when chosen well. This guide explains what truly counts as an underground hotel, what it’s really like to sleep beneath the surface, and which underground hotels around the world stand out for the right reasons.
If you’ve ever wondered whether sleeping underground would feel cosy, claustrophobic, luxurious or unsettling, you’ll find honest answers here.
What Is an Underground Hotel (and What Isn’t)?
The phrase underground hotel is widely used — and often misused. Understanding the difference matters if you’re booking specifically for the subterranean experience.
A true underground hotel is one where guest rooms are built below ground level, either fully surrounded by earth or carved directly into rock. These hotels use the natural properties of stone and soil to regulate temperature, reduce noise and create a distinctive atmosphere.
Genuine underground hotels include:
- Cave hotels carved into rock formations
- Dugouts built underground in desert or extreme climates
- Converted mines and bunkers
- Purpose-built subterranean hotels beneath cities
What doesn’t quite qualify:
- Hotels with underground spas but above-ground rooms
- “Cave-style” décor in standard buildings
- Earth-sheltered hotels with fully exposed façades
Many of the world’s best underground hotels fall somewhere on a spectrum. What matters is how immersive the experience feels — and whether the underground setting meaningfully shapes your stay.
Why Do Travellers Choose an Underground Hotel?
Underground hotels appeal to far more than novelty seekers. In practice, guests often find them more comfortable than expected.
Key reasons people love underground hotels:
- Natural temperature stability – cool in hot climates, warm in cold ones
- Exceptional quiet – earth and rock provide natural soundproofing
- Unique architecture – no two rooms are ever quite the same
- A sense of calm – thick walls and low light can feel deeply relaxing
- A stronger connection to place – many are tied to local history
For light sleepers, design lovers and travellers who value atmosphere over uniformity, an underground hotel can become the highlight of the trip.
Many underground hotels are tucked away in quieter regions, making them ideal for travellers looking to
avoid the crowds during peak travel periods.
Types of Underground Hotels You’ll Find Around the World
Understanding the main categories makes it easier to choose the right stay.
Cave Hotels
Carved directly into rock, often volcanic or limestone. Common in Turkey, Greece and Italy.
Dugouts and Desert Underground Stays
Built underground to escape extreme heat, particularly in Australia.
Mine and Bunker Conversions
Former industrial or military spaces transformed into accommodation.
City Underground Hotels
Modern, purpose-built hotels beneath busy urban centres, often windowless by design.
Extreme Underground Sleep Experiences
Guided overnight stays deep underground, usually adventure-led rather than luxury-focused.
If you’re keen to explore even more inspiration, our guide to the
coolest underground hotels around the world showcases additional stays in truly unusual holiday destinations
