REVIEW: Kale Konak – Cappadocia’s Best Cave Hotel

Wanderlust Chloe Kale Konak Cave Hotel Cappadocia feat

Time to check out Kale Konak Cave Hotel in Cappadocia.

“Let me show you to your room via the tunnel.”

I’m used to taking the stairs or lift, but this was the first time a hotel manager had instructed me to take a tunnel. But then again, this was the first time I’d stayed in a cave hotel.

I flew from Istanbul to Kayseri, Cappadocia with Pegasus Airlines. It’s a simple budget route (singles around £14) and takes one hour and twenty minutes. The transfer to Kale Konak Cave Hotel took around an hour, and went past many of the region’s most famous landmarks. Mount Erciyes shrouded in cloud on one side, then the Fairy Chimneys on the other. It was spectacular introduction to Cappadocia’s weird and wonderful landscape!

Wanderlust Chloe Kale Konak Cave Hotel Cappadocia 13

However, once into the small town of Uçhisar, the roads become steeper and narrower to reach the heights of Uçhisar Castle. Kale Konak’s position means it benefits from an incredible close-up view of the castle next door, as well as across Cappadocia’s rocky landscape.

Wanderlust Chloe Kale Konak Cave Hotel Cappadocia 12 Uchisar Castle

Read more

A Food Tour of Istanbul, Turkey

Views of Istanbul from the Bosphorus ferry

From tasty kebabs and mint tea, to honey, fish sandwiches and pickles, a food tour of Istanbul is a perfect way to get to know this special Turkish city. Find out what to expect, what delicious Turkish foods you might get to sample, plus some useful info to plan your visit. 

Read more

Hot Air Ballooning In Cappadocia

Cappadocia hot air balloon tour

Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is top of many people’s bucket lists – and it’s not hard to see why! Find out more about the hot air balloon experience, then scroll down to find out the top hotels in Cappadocia to make your adventure extra special.

Read more

REVIEW: Point Hotel Taksim, Istanbul, Turkey

Wanderlust Chloe Point Hotel Taksim12

Time to check out the Point Hotel Taksim in Istanbul, Turkey.

With only a few days in Istanbul, the dilemma is whether to stay in the old town close to landmarks such as The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar, or stay in the modern town, in the heart of the shopping, dining and nightlife district. I opted for the latter, and enjoyed 4 nights at the Point Hotel Taksim

Wanderlust Chloe Point Hotel Istanbul Ext

It prides itself on being an affordable 4 star hotel, within walking distance of Taksim Square – one of the best areas to stay in Istanbul. The name? Well it’s a triangular building, with the entrance being at a point. It boasts a 9th floor restaurant (where breakfast is served) with panoramic views of the city. There is a spa, gym and swimming pool in the basement, and a Japanese sushi restaurant and bar on the ground floor. It provided the perfect base for a city break.

Wanderlust Chloe Point Hotel Taksim08

While there, I stayed in three different rooms, on different floors (I’ll get into why in a moment!) They were all clean, modern, with nice touches such as the gift of an evil eye bead (evil eye is a symbol of protection in Turkey), a pillow menu, a book with 101 Ways To Sleep Happily, a CD of lullabies to encourage better rest, and an arrival gift of a fruit bowl and a bottle of Turkish red wine.

Read more

Afternoon Tea At Sandy Lane, Barbados

Wanderlust Chloe Sandy Lane Barbados 4

What’s it really like to go for afternoon tea at Sandy Lane in Barbados?

This guest post was written by Sarah Connolly

Some hotels are known globally, be it for the guests they host, a long standing reputation as a leading hotel, impeccable service, the destination of a high profile wedding, or just as somewhere people aspire to go to. I’m thinking of places like The Ritz, George V, Beverly Wilshire, or in my case Sandy Lane.

Wanderlust Chloe Sandy Lane Barbados 2

The word luxury is thrown around a lot and used far too often when it comes to hotels. Luxury to one person may not be luxury to another but having been to Sandy Lane I am 100% confident that this hotel wholeheartedly deserves to be deemed a luxury property, and that all those who have stepped through its doors would agree.

I was in Barbados for a week staying at a nearby hotel and booked to have afternoon tea at Sandy Lane. From the gated entrance to the long and winding driveway, everything plays a role in creating a really exclusive and beautiful setting. On arrival we were led to the lower level of Bajan Blue; an alfresco restaurant looking out to the beach, scattered with the famous pink sun loungers and even more famous guests.

Read more