For some of the coolest stays, you just need to scratch beneath the surface.

INTERCONTINENTAL SHANGHAI WONDERLAND HOTEL, SHANGHAI 

Introducing the world’s first underwater quarry hotel or ‘earthscraper’ – the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel. Taking 12 years and a cool $425 million to complete, the five-star hotel – which opened in November – is built into the side of an 88-metre deep, water-filled quarry, effectively turning a scar of the region into a star. Of its 18 floors, 16 are technically below ground, including one floor where guests can enjoy views into a huge aquarium. Once they’re done with that, they can indulge in rock climbing and bungy jumping. 

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intercontinental.com 

GAMIRASU CAVE HOTEL, CAPPADOCIA

The Gamirasu Cave Hotel features accommodation that not only lets you evoke your inner caveman but also serves up a slice of history. The luxury hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey, was once a monastic retreat in the Byzantine era and contains a Byzantine Orthodox church from the 12th Century. Now guests can retreat where priests once did, with the added luxury of spa baths and all the trimmings for $2058 per night.

gamirasu.com 

BECKHAM CREEK CAVE LODGE, ARKANSAS 

Retreat from the Arkansas heat at the Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, which showcases cave-turned-high-end retreat at its finest. Every mod con you could imagine is under the ground, and the main room has a natural waterfall in it. Nestled deep within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, glamming it up cave side at Beckham Creek will set you back $2366 a night.

beckhamcave.com