Hotel Okura Thermal Resort & Spa Cappadocia will open in 2028 in the historic village of Mustafapaşa within the Cappadocia region of Türkiye. The project is moving forward through a partnership between Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. and KK Universal, a real estate and hospitality investment group based in the country. The site was expanded from the initial Okura Spa & Resort Cappadocia project announced in 2015 to meet changing global market demands.
Located in Mustafapaşa, a village in the UNESCO World Heritage Cappadocia region, the resort occupies a space once known as Sinasos. The area features centuries-old churches, mosques, and intricately carved stone buildings. In 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization recognized the village as a “Best Tourism Village” for its commitment to preserving local heritage and culture through sustainable tourism practices.
The property will consist of four buildings, including preserved historic stone structures and newly constructed facilities connected by underground passages. A recently acquired historic mansion, recognized as a symbolic representation of the region’s cultural heritage, will undergo restoration by KK Universal and be integrated into the hotel.
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Designing a luxury resort in a living open-air museum presents a unique set of logistical challenges. Unlike developing a greenfield site where the design team has complete freedom, this project requires a delicate balancing act between modern luxury infrastructure and the fragile integrity of centuries-old architecture. The decision to preserve the historic mansion and connect buildings with underground passages suggests an attempt to mitigate the physical footprint on the village, which is a common approach in heritage preservation efforts to prevent the homogenization of historic districts with generic modern amenities.
Guests will experience Türkiye’s renowned thermal culture through a 3,500-square-meter spa and wellness center, the largest in the region. The facility will include thermal baths with mineral-rich, licensed spring waters, traditional Turkish hammam steam baths, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Dining options will feature three venues, including the internationally acclaimed teppanyaki restaurant “Sazanka,” which pioneered the integration of teppanyaki into hotel fine dining, alongside an all-day dining establishment.
Toshihiro Ogita, President of Hotel Okura Co., Ltd., commented, “We are honored to embark on this project together with KK Universal and are delighted to bring the Okura brand to Türkiye. This project represents an important opportunity to introduce the Okura philosophy to guests in one of the country’s most remarkable destinations. Our commitment to offering world-class hospitality, blending the elegance of Japanese culture with local charm, is unwavering. Through Okura’s signature hospitality, rooted in the spirit of Japanese omotenashi, we aspire to serve as a bridge between the two nations.
