Aravan Evi Restaurant — Restaurant in Ayvalı Köyü

We only wish there were six dots to give this unique, gracious, and welcoming tiny hotel! As travelers who like independence and the way local cultures are often best preserved away from tourist centers, we chose Aravan Evi not only because of its high ratings, but because it is a locally-owned place in a small rural village where we hoped to have a glimpse of local life in the region. We were not disappointed....in fact we were thrilled. We stayed for six nights in the well-proportioned, large Arch room, just off the terrace courtyard that is the heart of this lovely establishment. We echo the other reviews in unstinting praise for the owners, Okan and his parents, for their uninterrupted generosity, helpfulness and hospitality. With our rental car, we did not need the tour services Okan offers, but each morning, after a huge! delicious Turkish breakfast, he sat down with us and our books and maps and helped us plan our excursion for the day. He shared some secret spots with us and showed us routes over interesting backroads. (Okan is quite fluent in English). Each evening we returned to the hotel happy, tired, and often, dusty. A glass of wine on the terrace overlooking the little village, while the swifts whirled and hunted, became our evening ritual. There is free wifi, but no televisions. Who needs televisions with such a view? The village settled down early, and everyone (including us) seems to head to bed with the last call to prayer from the local mosque. ||||The filling breakfast is included with the room, and lunch and dinner are available with advance notice. Aravan Evi is, also, a restaurant that serves these meals (prix fixe), with reservations, to those not staying at the hotel. The first night we stayed, we had dinner there. The food, cooked by Okan's lively and lovely mother, Nurhayat, is incredible. Subtle, well-balanced flavors; locally sourced (much coming from the hotel's nearby huge! organic garden); classic and village specialties. We loved the food so much we could not imagine missing a night, and we didn't. Nurhayat varied the menu in a lively way, adjusting the food to our various allergies and preferences. After a couple of days, we felt like we were coming home each evening. By the way, Nurhayat will also give a cooking lesson, if asked. She taught me to make her village scrambled eggs one morning. ||||A note: the hotel has three rooms, only. Okan says they are dedicated to keeping it family-run, so don't have any plans for expansion. Aside from the Arch room, there is a family suite down a set of steps off the terrace. This has two connected rooms, one with a queen bed, another with a sitting area and sleeping space for two more. The smallish windows in this space overlook the village, and the chickens (that provide the breakfast eggs) scratching in the yard. The other guest room is off the end of the courtyard (at the same level) and has twin beds, a large bathroom, and large windows overlooking...

My words aren't enough to describe how beautiful and charming Aravan Evi is. You have to experience it for yourself! Most would prefer to stay in a cave hotel with a view of the hot air balloon and chimneys. But for me, this is the perfect escapade for that quiet stay in a village, away from tourist crowd.||||The rooms are exquisitely decorated and tastefully done up, to every little detail. It was so perfect that we wished we could stay there for another night (or more!). We had the most amazing and comfortable stay at this family-run hotel with just 3 rooms. ||||With Okan's and his family's hospitality, there wasn't a day that we felt like strangers or visitors. Okan's mum, Nurhayat prepared delicious homemade breakfast and dinner for us, that we wished we could just bring them home to Singapore. She even packed some fruits for us for the long roadtrip. All ingredients are from their very own garden! After tasting homemade jam, every jam spread on our breads at other hotels seemed to fail in comparison :) I can't recall how many times I said to Okan, we miss your home and mama's food! ||||Thank you for opening your doors and letting us be part of the family. We can never be thankful enough for you and family's kindness, generosity and hospitality. Be prepared cos we will definitely be back. This time a visit to your garden, a proper family photo and I am definitely going to be your mama's assistant in...

Somehow I lucked into finding this oasis in Cappadocia. This being My first time in Cap, I was skeptical about staying away from the tourist hot spots, but so glad I did! |This small, serene, intimate guest house in a tiny farming village seems another world, but it is just minutes from all the major sites of Cappadocia. Okan, the owner, and his family are incredibly accommodating. They have airport pickup, can drive you anywhere (cheaper than renting your own car), give great local advice, and are just so kind and friendly. AND they have the best breakfasts and dinners I had in my 4 weeks in Turkey! Most of it from their own farm fields. So fresh and tasteful. |Okan speaks excellent English and was so helpful in showing me the well known sites, but moreso showing me the out of the way caves, churches and walks (mostly empty!) not far away. And he knows great shopping spots off the main venues. ||Cappadocia can be rather busy. Aravan Evi is the perfect retreat and the perfect | spot to start the day and end in peace and quiet and deliciousness! ||I stayed a week and would love to...