KAPADOKYA MAĞARA OTELLERİNDE ESTETİK VE ATMOSFERİN TURİST ALGISINA ETKİSİ: TEMATİK BİR ANALİZ (THE EFFECT OF AESTHETICS AND ATMOSPHERE IN CAPPADOCIA CAVE HOTELS ON TOURIST PERCEPTIONS: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS)

This study investigates the aesthetic and atmospheric dimensions of cave hotels in Cappadocia, focusing on how these sensory and emotional elements shape tourist perceptions and experiences.Employing a qualitative research approach, the study analyzes a total of 1,947 Turkish and English user-generated reviews published between 2018 and 2024 on TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Google Reviews.The reviews were selected through purposive sampling, with particular attention given to content that explicitly referenced "aesthetic" and "atmospheric" elements.Data were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 12 software.The analysis process involved open coding, theme development, and interpretation of findings.Three main themes emerged: authenticity, mysticism, and emotional attachment.The results indicate that cave hotels are perceived not only as architecturally distinctive structures but also as cultural spaces that evoke historical continuity and personal meaning.While emphasizing the experiential value of architectural authenticity and atmosphere in tourism, this study offers strategic insights for accommodation providers and destination managers aiming to design emotionally resonant and sustainable tourism experiences.