Claustrophobia in Cappadocia??
 

We're planning our September trip to Turkey and I am trying to decide where to stay in Urgup. At this point, we're considering the cave hotels Esbelli Evi and Yunak Evleri. However, I have mild claustrophia and some of the photos on the websites are concerning me. How claustrophic are the rooms? It appears that no two are alike so I'd appreciate it if you could suggest some things I might want to specifically request e.g. high ceilings, windows etc. (Do all of the cave rooms have windows?)

Have any of you stayed at either of these places before? What are the showers like? Do they have shower doors? Real double beds or two twins pushed together?

Finally, I generally book my rooms directly with the hotel but Frommers mentioned that if you were willing to work with a local agency, you were likely to receive a substantially better rate and better room. Does anybody have any experience in comparing prices between Turkish hotels directly and agencies?

Thanks in advance.

We stayed at Esbelli Evi. The only thing cave-like about our room was that the bathroom was carved out of the rock and had a rough rock ceiling, but walls were tiled and there was a good shower -- although I can't remember if it had a door or curtain. Our room was huge and actually had a second step down seating area. There are only windows on one side since the rest is carved into the rock -- but have you ever stayed in many hotels that had windows on more than one side? There was nothing claustrophic about it -- in fact, much less so than a typical Hampton Inn might be.

We booked direct. All I know is that over cocktails one day on the terrace I was startled when a couple people mentioned how expensive Esbelli was, although they admitted it was worth it. We didn't think it was expensive at all. Then we found out both these people had booked through agencies and were paying a LOT more than we were.

Thanks Patrick. I feel better already.

I've read a number of your postings about your trip to Turkey and and have found them quite helpful. However, I don't recall any mention of your hotel in Konya. It appears like the choices are few. Where did you stay? Would you recommend it? Thanks again.

In Konya we stayed at the Hotel Dundar. It was very nice with excellent rooms and baths. We were at first disappointed as it seemed further out from the center than we expected (and had to stop to get directions three times before finding it), but once there we parked and walked into the center -- not all that far. It is primarily a larger business and bus tour hotel. But we sort of kept our eyes open as we walked and didn't see much else. Yes, I'd probably stay there again.
Incidentally the claim was that the Dundar has the best whirling dervish show and dinner, but we didn't do it.

Yunak and Esbelli are two of the well known boutique hotels of the region. Esbelli is the first one of theese type of accomodations. Has its own charm certainly. Yunak is more new also in rock carved cave rooms more modern amen_ties and real modern & Luxury bathrooms. Some of their rooms can be dark but you can specially ask a lighter room. Both hotels are nice and I have been & stayed in both. They are friends as well since I am from the indutry and live in Cappadocia. Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate.

Regards,

Murat

We had two rooms at the Esbelli Evi in April last year. Lots of room, plenty of light, a huge cast iron bed in our room and three cast iron beds in the kids room. The bath rooms were modern all tiled and plenty of hot water. Breakfast was wonderfull on the balcony overlooking Urgup, service was cheery and understated, lovely people. Lovely place.