We turned a hidden cave in the wilderness into a world-famous Airbnb

While hiking in the midst of Ohio, Bryant and Amy Gingerich came across 34 acres of uninhabited wilderness – and subsequently decided to transform it into a now world-famous Airbnb with multiple stay options.

A few years ago, Bryant was feeling uninspired by his full-time work as an engineer, and so the couple subsequently started looking for a new project.

After just one week, they found the perfect location in the Hocking Hills, an hour outside of their hometown of Columbus, and knew they needed to do everything they could to secure it.

Telling their story via social media, close friend and fellow property investor Isaac French noted that they ‘pitched friends and family and secured just enough money with just enough time to make the down payment.’

For the rest of the funds, they were able to secure a loan through a local bank.

But it wasn’t just the land the pair were inheriting: it was home to a tiny 1920s cottage.

Just four months later and it was ready to rent out on Airbnb – but they knew that the money they’d make from letting it out would ‘barely cover the mortgage.’

And so, they decided to secure another bank loan to finance the construction of an A-frame-shaped home on the same site.

‘Amy’s eye for design and Bryant’s engineering know-how came together,’ Isaac’s post on X, formerly Twitter, added.

‘He drafted the plans, then grabbed his tool belt out and got to work.’

But after all that work, they stumbled upon the best part of the land they’d bought: there was actually a cave nestled beneath ‘dead trees’ and ‘piles of fill.’

From there, the ideas ‘immediately started flowing’ as to what they’d do with the space.

‘Geologists and structural engineers had to sign off, which entailed some acrobatics. Then came the toughest part: moisture,’ Isaac continued.

‘Water seeped in from every direction. Trapping it was impossible.’

And so, they decided to let it in and ‘figure out how to manage it’ along the way. Eventually, they realised that the best solution was to use four large-scale humidifiers. Running constantly, they now pull 20 gallons of water each day.

Now, it’s been labelled one of the world’s ‘most profitable Airbnbs’ with a years-long waiting list – and one night at the cave costs $1,400 (£1,117.07) per night. In the two years since opening, there’s been just one day when the space wasn’t booked out.

The 1,500-square foot cave house can now sleep six guests across two bedrooms, with two king beds and Murphy twin beds.

And if you’re wanting to make the most of nature, there are private hiking trails surrounding the property – as well as a fully-equipped kitchen, large outdoor patio and a pool table inside.

Naturally, travellers from around the world are itching to book their stay.

‘Pretty amazing that, after like 5,000 years of civilisation, our revealed preference is to go back to caves,’ @moseskagan penned on X, formerly Twitter, while @SBA_Matthi noted that it’s ‘amazing to think about having the idea to create this experience’ and that the ‘human mind has no limits.’

‘Stayed at the cave the weekend after Christmas. It was worth the two-year wait,’ @astridovern added on Instagram. ‘Everything felt so lux and we slept like logs.’

‘You got to build into an ancient cave and I have to ask the city if I can build an 8×6 foot shed on my parking pad?,’ @johnnyboy0811 joked, while @sspearman labelled the project an ‘incredible engineering marvel.’

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