Esbelli Evi
Status  : Boutique & Charming Hotels
Adress : Esbelli Sokak, 50400 Ürgüp, Cappadocia, Turkey

The famed Esbelli Evi cave inn in Ürgüp, Cappadocia, has a simply beautiful suite perfect for honeymooners, families, or anyone who wants lots of space and atmosphere.

The suite—actually a small troglodyte apartment—is four interconnected cave rooms, plus a hallway and closet, and a private terrace with good views of the garden and the Cappadocian countryside.

Mr Süha Ersöz, owner of Esbelli Evi, explained to me that the cave rooms of the suite, like all rooms at Esbelli Evi, were as authentic as possible.

"I didn't change anything except what had to be changed," he told me. "In many cave hotels they standardize the rooms and add and subtract to make it look a certain way. I want the rooms to look as they looked when people were still living in them." Thus the suite is as authentically "old Ürgüp" as possible, with beautiful colored banding in the volcanic stone walls and ceiling.

Except for the luxury! The shape of the rooms may be the same, but the appointments are extraordinary. Everyone comments on the bathroom, with its twin large showerheads in a roomy glass-enclosed shower stall, the antique clawfoot tub (big enough for two), the 500 channels of stereo cable radio, the atmospheric lighting—that's all in the bathroom!

The master bedroom has the expected large, comfortable king-size bed, reading lights and writing desk.

In the salon/living room is another writing desk, LCD satellite TV set with stereo CD & DVD player (you can borrow music CDs from Esbelli's extensive collection of European classical and American jazz recordings), easy chairs, the Internet Wifi transmitter that covers the entire suite, and a charming Tavsan Yatagi ("Rabbit's Bed"), a small cave-ette with a king-size bed that is children's favorite play and sleeping area—and big and comfortable enough for adults, too.

The kitchen has stone-carved shelves, a full-sized stove/range, kitchen sink, table and chairs, all equipment, and electric kettle with plentiful supplies of tea, coffee and other hot beverages. The full-sized refrigerator is stocked with wine, beer and soft drinks.

"The furnishings are changing," Süha Bey says. "I like to find the perfect pieces for each room. I keep looking, and when I find the perfect piece, I buy it."

There are three separate entrances from the outside: to the hallway and bathroom, to the bedroom, and to the kitchen.

With sun pouring through the south-facing windows, it's difficult to think of the Esbelli suite as a troglodyte dwelling, yet you'll appreciate the cool atmosphere and intense quiet provided by the stone walls and its private location away from the other guest rooms.

This is among the most charming and satisfying places to stay in Cappadocia, but for all its luxury, the Esbelli suite is reasonably priced, especially for families that might otherwise need to reserve two rooms. (Indeed, you're getting four rooms' worth of space for less than the rate for two normal guest rooms. It's an astonishing bargain!)

Please e-mail us for discounted rates and reservations.