Vacation in a Cave?

By Anastacia Mott Austin

At first thought, a bed and breakfast hotel inside a cave may not seem like the most romantic of escapes.

But the Beckham Creek Cave Haven, in the Ozarks in Arkansas, is not just any cave hotel.

Built right into the side of a mountain, the hotel makes use of a natural karst cave to enhance its architecture. The bedrooms have some walls that are the original cave walls, though large windows facing the front allow plenty of sunshine to avoid any hint of claustrophobia.

Originally designed as a bomb shelter in 1984, the cave opening was closed off with a massive rock wall. It was later used as a nightclub, and then remodeled to its current incarnation as a private resort. Owner Larry Campbell says he enjoys pointing out the natural "creatures" found in the walls and ceilings, including a turtle, a white buffalo, and a medicine man.

There are five bedrooms with their own bathrooms, including a larger honeymoon suite that is separated from the others.

A large great room is perfect for meetings, and the recreation room boasts a pool table, chess table, and card games, with a spectacular view of the Ozark countryside. The great room has a natural cave fountain which soothes with its bubbling sounds.

Its a perfect vacation for someone who really wants to get away from it all without sacrificing comfort or style. The rooms are luxuriously furnished, yet nature is right outside the door, er, cave.

Most of the rooms include impressive views of the beautiful landscape outside. There are also plenty of activities available onsite at the 530-acre estate that make use of the nearby outdoors, including cave "spelunking," fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and many opportunities for spotting wildlife.

For a change of scenery, there is local shopping, sightseeing, and restaurants in the nearby town. The Cave Haven also recommends several day trips, including Eureka Springs, which has local theater and spas; a historical civil war cemetery in Fayetteville; or Mountain View, which has local music, herb gardens, and the Ozark Folk Center.

The site is available for company conferences, private events, and weddings. Owner Campbell says that a great deal of the Caves visitors use it for family reunions or retreats, though it does host about 20 weddings per year. To add excitement, guests of the resort have the option of arriving by helicopter.

If the idea of a cave retreat vacation appeals to you, start budgeting now. The site must be rented as a whole, and the minimum stay is two days.

For those who have stayed there, its worth it. The resort offers the best of luxury accommodations, complete privacy, and stunningly beautiful natural scenery. Its the perfect getaway.