AJWA Dates: Cappadocia's Hidden Secret (Urgup, Turkey)
AJWA Dates: Cappadocia's Hidden Secret (Urgup, Turkey) - A Review That's More Date-ish Than a Date Pancake
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey, and specifically, the AJWA Cappadocia. Forget those perfectly curated Instagram feeds, THIS is the real deal, the messy, wonderful, sometimes frustrating, and ultimately delicious experience I had. You've been warned.
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- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of the AJWA Cappadocia in Urgup, Turkey! Discover the good, the bad, and the breathtaking beauty of this unique hotel, from its incredible spa to its surprisingly addictive dates. Accessibility, dining, and everything in between – get the lowdown!
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Right, let's be real. I went expecting a fairytale, but travel, as we all know, isn't always sunshine and rainbows. The accessibility, well, it's a work in progress. While the hotel claims to have facilities for disabled guests, the devil, as they say, is in the details. navigating the grounds, which can be a bit hilly, can be tricky for anyone even with a mild mobility issue. The elevator thankfully works, in modern style of the rest of the building.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Hmm…I didn't specifically check the access, but I did see ramps and wider spaces in the main dining areas. Still, I'd definitely call ahead to confirm, especially if you have very specific needs. The staff were generally helpful (more on that later).
Wheelchair Accessible: This is where things get a little hazy. The hotel tries with ramps and elevators BUT I didn't see enough evidence to wholeheartedly recommend the place if you're heavily reliant on a wheelchair. Double-check and ask specific questions before booking.
Internet: Free Wifi, Thank Goodness!
Alright, this is something I could get excited about: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And not just that, it actually worked. I managed to stream Netflix at a reasonable speed (crucial for those post-hot air balloon crash-landing recovery days), so no complaints there. Thank heavens, because those sunrise pictures needed immediate bragging rights on Instagram.
More Internet Options: Internet [LAN] availability, though I didn't use it – seemed a bit archaic. Internet services were pretty standard; nothing groundbreaking but perfectly functional. Wi-Fi in public areas was also reliable, which is a HUGE plus.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and OH MY GOD, THE SPA!
Okay, hold onto your hats, because the spa at AJWA is something else. Seriously. I'm a spa snob, and even I was blown away.
- Body scrub: Phenomenal. My skin felt like a baby's bottom afterward.
- Body wrap: Relaxing, maybe a bit too relaxing. I almost drooled on the pristine white towels. (Sorry, hotel!)
- Fitness center: It exists. I didn't use it because, vacation.
- Foot bath: Delightful. The perfect pre-massage prep.
- Gym/fitness: See above.
- Massage: Sublime. Book the Turkish massage. You won't regret it.
- Pool with a view: Absolutely stunning. Picture this: a gorgeous pool overlooking the Cappadocian landscape as the sun sets. Yeah, it's as good as it sounds.
- Sauna: Hot and steamy, just how I like it.
- Spa: The heart of the experience!
- Spa/sauna: A perfect combo to wind down with.
- Steamroom: Ditto.
- Swimming pool: Outdoor, beautiful, and surprisingly uncrowded.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure
In this post-pandemic world, safety is paramount.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes, they were using them. I saw it.
- Breakfast in room: Tempting, but I preferred the buffet (more on that later).
- Breakfast takeaway service: Convenient for early hot air balloon departures.
- Cashless payment service: Very handy.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind.
- First aid kit: Always a welcome sight.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good to know.
- Hygiene certification: I didn't specifically see the proof, but it felt clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Mostly.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed. Sometimes, a bit of a squeeze in the buffet line.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seemed like it.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I didn't opt out, and it was perfectly clean.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes.
- Safe dining setup: Generally good.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Seemed to be the case.
- Shared stationery removed: Thankfully.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed well-versed.
- Sterilizing equipment: I saw them using such equipment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly Delicious)
Okay, here's the fun part! The food!
- A la carte in restaurant: Available, I prefer the buffet.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I was vegan, the restaurant staff accomodated to my needs
- Asian breakfast: I was so excited I thought I would make it to the end.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: I love Asian food!
- Bar: The bar was nice.
- Bottle of water: Offered.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The star. Seriously. The array of foods, both Turkish and international, was crazy. I am talking multiple types of fresh fruit, cheeses galore, Turkish and Western style eggs, pastries… it's a breakfast adventurer's dream. Get there early. Trust me. The views from the restaurant were stunning; watching those hot air balloons float by while you're munching on a simit is a truly magical experience.
- Breakfast service: Excellent. Attentive staff.
- Buffet in restaurant: As above, glorious.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good, but I'm a coffee snob.
- Coffee shop: I didn't spot one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious. Too many options. Send help.
- Happy hour: YES! The perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Available.
- Poolside bar: Yes, a welcome convenience.
- Restaurants: Several on-site.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver when jet lag hit.
- Salad in restaurant: Fresh and tasty.
- Snack bar: Convenient for a quick bite.
- Soup in restaurant: Delicious on a chilly evening.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I couldn't find.
- Western breakfast: Available, if you're not feeling adventurous.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Available.
The Food Lowdown: The food at the AJWA was, on the whole, very good. The breakfast buffet deserves a medal. The other meals were of good quality, but the buffet truly was the thing that stuck with me. The Turkish food was particularly excellent. (And the dates. Oh, the dates!)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: I didn't witness any.
- Business facilities: Available, didn't need them.
- Cash withdrawal: Available.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes!
- Convenience store: I didn't see one, but there's a shopping area not to far away.
- Currency exchange: Available.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Doorman: Polite and helpful.
- Dry cleaning: Available.
- Elevator: Yes, thank goodness.
- Essential condiments: Available.
- Facilities for disabled guests: As previously mentioned, some but not all.
- Food delivery: Not from external services, not available?
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes.
- Indoor venue for special events: I
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just going to Cappadocia, we're experiencing it. And by "experiencing," I mean I'm probably going to lose my phone, get hopelessly lost, and fall in love with a stray cat. This is going to be a mess, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Here's the, ahem, plan for our AJWA Cappadocia adventure:
Day 1: Arrival, Awe, and Accidental Aubergine
Morning (Turkish Time, which means… whenever): Touching down at Kayseri Erkilet Airport. Okay, the airport itself is a beige box, but the anticipation is everything. We'd booked a private transfer (splurge, totally worth it after a transatlantic flight) and I'm already imagining myself, dramatically swaddled in a scarf, gazing out the window as we approach the fairy chimneys. Reality check: probably just going to be drooling on myself.
Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Arrive at AJWA Cappadocia. Oh. Em. Gee. The photos don't do it justice. It really is that gorgeous. The architecture itself is a work of art. And probably some of the staff are a part of it too. We need to decide what room to stay at.
Afternoon: Officially "Settling In," but realistically, me frantically trying to figure out the TV remote and failing spectacularly. Then, the first order of business: A proper Turkish coffee. Strong, muddy, and exactly what I need after the plane. I'm going to try to learn some basic Turkish phrases. Wish me luck. I'll probably end up ordering a cat instead of a coffee.
Early Evening: Wandering around Urgup (the town). Okay, I'm a terrible planner, so this is mostly a "see what happens" excursion. Probably get lost, maybe buy a rug I don't need, definitely embarrass myself trying to haggle. The cobblestone streets. The smells (cumin! bread!). The light…it's like a painting. I'll probably get lost.
Evening: Dinner at a restaurant. Hoping to sample some traditional Turkish cuisine. I'm picturing a feast of kebabs, mezes, and baklava. Will probably overeat. Will definitely spill something down my front. May also order something called a "testi kebab" just for the theater of it (a traditional dish cooked in a sealed clay pot). Also, I'm allergic to eggplant. So. Many. Problems.
Day 2: Hot Air, High Above, and Hangry
Sunrise (ish): The Holy Grail of Cappadocia: The Hot Air Balloon Ride. I was scared of heights, but I am more afraid of regretting not doing it. I will be absolutely, positively, petrified on the way up, but, the view. Oh, the view. I've seen pictures. It's going to be insane. So is the price tag. Worth it? Ask me later.
Mid-Morning: Post-Balloon Euphoria (and perhaps a slight landing-induced anxiety). We'll eat breakfast after the balloon ride. They're probably serving a Turkish breakfast.
Afternoon: Exploring Göreme Open Air Museum. This is where all the churches carved into the fairy chimneys live. I'm terrible at history, but even I'm excited to see these ancient cave paintings. Hoping for some spiritual enlightenment. More likely: Complaining about the crowds and getting distracted by a particularly majestic pigeon.
Late Afternoon: Hike through Rose Valley. They say it's beautiful at sunset. They also say it's uphill. I'll be honest: I'm already tired. Will probably stop every five minutes to take a photo and breathe heavily.
Evening: Dinner at a restaurant that has a cave restaurant. Wine. Possibly some live music. Praying the music isn't too loud, as I'm starting to resemble a cranky old grandma.
Day 3: Underground Cities, Unexpected Treasures, and Total Chaos
Morning: Descending (and possibly becoming claustrophobic) into an underground city. Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, it depends. The thought of crawling through tight, dark tunnels gives me both a thrill and a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. Need a flashlight. Need a friend to hold my hand. Need a stiff drink afterwards.
Mid-Day: Visiting a pottery studio. Cappadocia is famous for its pottery. I'm going to try my hand at the pottery wheel. Prepare yourselves for some truly horrific creations. Think misshapen blobs that vaguely resemble something… maybe.
Afternoon: Exploring a different Valley. I'm not sure which one yet. It depends how tired I am.
Late Afternoon: Shopping in Urgup again. Maybe. I'm probably going to buy something stupid, like a ceramic sheep or a carpet that doesn't match anything in my house. Or both.
Evening: Turkish Bath (Hamam) experience! This is something I'm incredibly excited about, and slightly terrified of. Being completely scrubbed down by a stranger? Sounds…interesting. (I'll probably need a stiff drink beforehand).
Day 4: Goodbyes, Gratitude, and a Guilt-Trip Goose
Morning: One last delicious Turkish breakfast. Probably going to try to stuff myself before we leave. Taking way too many photos of the hotel.
Late Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Panicking because I haven't bought enough gifts for anyone back home. Probably buy a bunch of Turkish delight because I think people like it.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport. (Sigh). Trying to process everything I've seen and done. (Spoiler: I won't be able to. Travel brain is a persistent and annoying condition). Farewell to the fairy chimneys. Farewell to the stray cat I almost adopted. Farewell to my sanity (which I probably lost somewhere in Rose Valley).
Evening: Flight home. Sitting on the plane, already planning my return trip. Feeling a mixture of exhaustion, wonder, and the distinct feeling that I've left a piece of my heart in Cappadocia. Oh, and probably wondering how I'm going to explain the giant ceramic sheep to my pet.
And there you have it. A chaotic, messy, and hopefully unforgettable trip to Cappadocia. Wish me luck (and maybe send some Pepto-Bismol. Just in case).
Escape to Paradise: Farmhouse Yallingup, Margaret River Awaits!
AJWA Dates: Cappadocia's Hidden Secret... or Just Another Date? (My Take)
So, what *exactly* is an Ajwa date doing in the middle of Cappadocia?!
Are these dates, like, actually *good*? Or just hype?
Where can I buy these mystical Ajwa dates? And how much will they rip me off?
Is there a "best" way to eat an Ajwa date? (Don't tell me with your hands...)
What’s the "secret" about Ajwa dates, anyway? Are they like, magical or something?
Did you actually *like* the Ajwa dates? Or are you just being a grumpy travel blogger?
Would you recommend going out of your way to find Ajwa dates in Urgup?
