We really liked Goreme, Urgup not so much.
Can highly recommend Aydinli Cave House

ditto for me and Goreme..liked being in the heart of it all..and my family and I stayed at the Sultan Cave suites..which are next to the Kelebek hotel. We tried to get into the Aydinli Cave House & the Kelebek hotel but both were full. So we were given the recommendation of the Sultan cave suites and were not disappointed.

loved watching the balloons rising in the morning around 7am from the terrace view of the hotel.

Thank you. Where could we hire a car from in Goreme? Any hotel recommendations for Istanbul? Thanks!

Goreme was a very pleasant town to stay in. I can recomend Kelebek, it is a wonderful hotel.

There are sooo many hotels in Istanbul! I stayed at Hanedan, a bit of a budget options. But it is very well located, clean, friendly. It didn't feel budget at all actually.

ok - we are really torn! we are tempted to stay in the highly recommended Esbelli Evi hotel, but are wondering if it will be out of the way considering we are going to be traveling with a toddler (although we will be renting a car while in cappadocia). Any thoughts anyone?? Please help!!

We are going for a longer trip (18 days), so in addition to Istanbul and Cappadocia, we'll be stopping briefly in Ephesus and then driving to the area near Fethiye for a few days. We are planning on staying in Goreme, as well.