Underground hotels: From a former silver mine to an underwater island

Sala Silver Mine, Vastmanland

Sala Silver Mine, Vastmanland

As the name suggests, this Swedish hotel was a working mine for 400 years. It is now a museum but there is one suite for rent, 155m below ground, with a bed and two silver chairs tucked in one nook, and a small breakfast table in another. Guests are advised to wear warm clothing, although the suite is heated to 18C. There is an intercom to talk to staff stationed above ground – there's no mobile reception this far down.

Sala, Vastmanland, Sweden (00 46 224 67 72 60; salasilvergruva.se). The suite starts at 4,890 SEK (£372), with breakfast.

The Lookout Cave, South Australia

The Lookout Cave, South Australia

This motel, dug into a hillside, is family owned and offers guests the unique chance to sleep approximately 25m below ground. It is located in Coober Pedy, a town largely composed of a network of tunnels that were created to provide residents respite from the scorching heat. The caves are situated at a look-out at Coober Pedy's highest part. They make an ideal spot for photographing the sunrise and sunset. The rooms all have cool stone walls and low lighting.

Coober Pedy, South Australia (00 61 8 8672 5118; thelookoutcave.com). Doubles from A$135 (£63), room only.


 Argos Hotel, Cappadocia

Argos Hotel, Cappadocia

This warren of tunnels and caves in Turkey's fairytale Cappadocia region was once a monastery. The hotel is carved into volcanic lava from Mount Erciyes. All 51 bedrooms are built using local stone. Some come with gardens or sun terraces, while others have private subterranean cave pools. The rooms, of varying shapes and sizes, are softly-lit by candles and lamps. The underground wine cellar is perhaps its most impressive feature.

Uçhisar, Nevşehir, Cappadocia, Turkey (00 90 384 219 31 30; argosincappadocia.com). Doubles from €225, B&B.

Kokopelli's Cave, New Mexico

Kokopelli's Cave, New Mexico

Kokopelli's Cave is built into the sandstone cliffs of Tertiary Ojo Alamo and is entered via a path and steps. The man-made cave was a geologist's office but became a bed and breakfast. It has a master bedroom, living area, dining area and kitchen, and a bathroom with waterfall shower and Jacuzzi. Walls and ceiling are craggy rock but floors are carpeted and there's a replica Native American kiva (sacred building), complete with fire.

5001 Antelope Jct, Farmington, NM 87402, United States (001 505 860 3812; kokoscave.com). Doubles from US$362 (£241), room only.


 Manta Resort, Pemba Island

Manta Resort, Pemba Island

Not so much underground as underwater, the Mantas Resort in Tanzania has a private floating “island” with a bedroom four metres below the surface. The bobbing pontoon has three levels: a deck at sea level for dining and lounging; a top deck that's ideal for sunbathing or stargazing; and a fully-submerged bedroom, accessible by ladder, made of panes of glass with underwater spotlights beneath each window, allowing guests to admire the marine life outside.

Pemba island, Tanzania (00 255 776 718 852; themantaresort.com). Underwater room from US$1,500 (£1,000), all inclusive.

Hotel With, Stockholm

Hotel With, Stockholm

This unusual offering from restaurant group Urban Deli opens on 1 December. It has 106 bedrooms – all without windows – tucked away in a former garage, below an Urban Deli branch. The hotel is voguishly decorated with slate grey walls, pale wooden furniture, and cast-iron piping twisted into shelves. Cleverly placed lamps provide subtle light in the rooms, which promise a good night's sleep unhampered by daylight. There's also a food hall, lounge, café and – mercifully – a rooftop park.

Sveavägen 44, Stockholm, Sweden (00 46 0830 30 50; hotelwith.se). Doubles from 745 SEK (£57), with breakfast.