Esbelli Evi is one of the finest inns in Turkey- and it's in a cave!
For more than a millennium, people have carved dwellings from the soft volcanic rock of Cappadocia. Even to this day many local people live in homes with at least a few cave rooms. So why not an inn?
Esbelli Evi ("the Esbelli house") is a small, intimate cave-inn with a difference: The guest accommodations have all the modern conveniences, including high-speed Wifi Internet connections, flat-screen TVs with international channels , and coffee- and tea-making facilities. In recent years the guest rooms have been expanded into suites, but the rates have stayed the same.
Read this about staying in a cave room.
The Founder
Why not a cave-inn? Mr Süha Ersöz, owner of Esbelli Evi, answered this question decades ago with a work of art: a simple but comfortable, artistically designed bed-and-breakfast inn with perfect hospitality.
His was the first, and is still my personal favorite. It captures the traditional aesthetic and lifestyle of Cappadocia, quiet, understated comfort, with a wonderfully accommodating staff, and all modern services. It's an excellent choice for any traveler, including—perhaps especially—for single female travelerslooking for a friendly, welcoming, no-hassle environment.
Your Suite
Every suite is tastefully decorated with antiques and crafts: Turkish carpets and other weavings, brass or cast-iron king-size bedsteads, old lamps. All suites have individually-controlled air-conditioning, bedroom(s), living room, kitchenette, modern private bathrooms, laptop computers and Wifi Internet connections. And each suite is different, carved right from the rock centuries ago by local people for their own use.
Needless to say, each suite is cool and quiet, even in the midst of summer. If your cave suite's natural temperature is not right for you, all suites have individually-controlled air conditioning and heating units as well.
Each suite has one or two bedrooms, a living room or sitting area, kitchenette stocked with drinks, spacious bathroom (some with clawfoot tub in addition to the large double shower), and its own garden terrace area. More...
Standard Rooms
Esbelli Evi's four comfortable standard rooms have individually-controlled air-conditioning; king-size beds; modern private bathrooms; mini-bars (with reasonable prices!), complimentary bottled spring water, coffee and tea; laptop computers and Wifi Internet connections.
Enjoying Esbelli Evi
From the inn's numerous terraces there are panoramic views of Ürgüp and the Cappadocian countryside.
An elaborate Turkish breakfast is included in the rate, with a selection of fruits, breads, cakes, breakfast cereals, yogurt, and over a dozen varieties of eggs and omelets made to order.
The Self-serve Café-bar is open 24 hours a day for guests' use, with complimentary coffee, black and herbal teas, and hot chocolate, complimentary chilled bottled spring water, and low-priced cold soft drinks, wine and beer. Help yourself, and pay on the honor system.
Two self-service clothes washing machines are available for your use for a reasonable fee. Use any of the three public computers (Windows and Macintosh, with English-language keyboards) to read your email, use Skype, or to log on to the Internet via Esbelli Evi's WiFi:no charge. All suites have their own laptop computers.
The Genius of Esbelli Evi
What makes this inn truly great is its thoughtful understatement. Süha's aesthetic is one of sensitivity to history and nature, so decoration is carefully considered and minimal, allowing the beauty of the natural stone and its history to fill your eye.
You can wander into the stone-arched salon (every guest's favorite hang-out spot), play music from the extensive collection of classical and jazz, or sit down at the piano and play a few pieces (sheet music provided).
Süha and Esbelli's manager Yasemin are founts of wisdom and advice for local sightseeing, and can recommend walks, self-drive tours, restaurants and other services as well.
You will not find finer hosts, or more congenial inn, anywhere. It really does feel like your "Cappadocian home."
Several good restaurants are only a few minutes' stroll from the inn, including Dimrit and Ziggy Café (). Others are in the center of Ürgüp, a 10-minute walk downhill from the Esbelli neighborhood, but if you're not a walker you may want to take a taxi up the hill back to Esbelli Evi instead of the 25-minute walk.
Esbelli Evi
Dolay Sokak, 8 (P.K. 2) ()
50400 Ürgüp, Cappadocia, Turkey
Tel: +90 (384) 341-3395
Fax: +90 (384) 341-8848
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