Outdoor lounging at Hotel Argos Turkey
Outdoor lounging at Hotel Argos

On an autumn trip hiking through Cappadocia with a group of friends, we’d venture each day through different valleys: full of mysterious chimneys and ancient hidden cities. From our hostel in Göreme, we saw an ad for “best vineyards in central Turkey.” It seemed that the neighboring town of Uçhisar was as far as we needed to venture.

Full of curiosity, unfamiliar with Turkish wines, and eager for some repose after camping out the night in a cave (read more about that experience here), we arrived at Argos in Cappadocia. It’s a luxury hotel on top of a hill, built on the site of an ancient monastery. The architect used clean lines and raw wood materials in the interior. The interior and exterior connect with large windows and windowed doorways, and wraparound balconies that overlook the desert-like terrain. The design is a beautiful contrast with the ancient stone of the original structure.

Scenes of Hotel Argos Turkey
Scenes of Hotel Argos

We sipped a complex, full-bodied Öküzgözü red wine from the hotel’s own vineyard, made from an Anatolian grape variety. The flavor and maturity were on par with better known Bordeaux or Lagrein.

Following our apéro, we dined at SEKi, the onsite restaurant in a cellar with wide views onto Mount Erciyes. It was a culinary delight of fresh and local ingredients presented with sophistication.

Argos in Cappadocia is a magical enclave in one of the most unique places in the world, a must-see for anyone hoping to venture that way.

Ancient window to Mount Erciyes Turkey
Ancient window to Mount Erciyes