This could be the world’s classiest cave. Behind the facade of a splendid old stone mansion lies a labyrinth of hidden courtyards where the eight rooms of the Esbelli House are carved into Cappadocia’s volcanic rock. The Honeymoon Room, with antique brass bedstead, occupies a real fairy chimney.
The style is attentive, measured, perfectionist Suha Ers’dz, a lawyer and afastiduous bachelor, likes to i treat customers as his personal guests. Only a tiny name plate gives outward sign of his hotel. A rich CD collection (Bach, Couperin, Gorecki, some jazz) stands at guests’ disposal in the common room, as does a refrigerator in the kitchen well-stocked with liquor. The guestbook gushes with praise from Ankara’s diplomatic community - a half dozen ambassadors have put down their names (along such names as Erich von Ddniken) among devotees of this unique establishment.
The name of the house refers to the section of old Urgtip where most dwellings are cut into the cliff: possibly a corruption of the Greek spfleo, “cave”. There is a striking view from here with half of Cappadocia under your feet.

Süha Ersoz
Esbelli S 8, 50400 Urgüp
Tel: (0384) 341 3395 Fax: (0384) 341 8848
esbeUi@smaHhotels.com.tr

Categories: Hotel Guide
Tags: esbelli, urgup