About Us

Cemal Koksal
Ruth Lockwood

Cemal Koksal

Cemal Koksal was born and grew up locally in Ortahisar. He is known as an expert for cave house and hotel construction and his company has restored many of the beautiful traditional cave house complexes turning them into luxury hotels. Elaa Cave Hotel was one of his projects and after managing other hotels for years he is delighted to now be operating Elaa Cave Hotel as his own boutique hotel. Cemal also owns Cemal Ranch which provides excellent local horse riding tours and is a well known spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Cemal Ranch

Ruth Lockwood

Ruth Lockwood is a New Zealander who has lived and worked in Cappadocia tourism for 27 yrs. She is best known for her highly recommended gallery Tribal Collections - Nomadic Rugs and Textiles. Considered highly knowledgeable not only on local textiles but also on many aspects of Turkish culture, Ruth can fill you in on all of the region's must-do sights, shops, and dining options, as well as the off-the-beaten-track places and sights that most tourists miss. She happily divides her time between her gallery and Elaa Cave Hotel. Tribal Collections - Nomadic Rugs and Textiles .

Cemal Koksal and Ruth Lockwood were the ultimate hosts providing an intimate experience of Cappadocia. Being able to spend time with Ruth, who is the ultimate ex-pat in Turkey, is very special. To have access to her vast knowledge of Cappadocia and all things Turkish can really enliven your trip. Also they were a lot of fun and made all their guests feel comfortable at their hotel and with each other. Staying here can make you feel like you are having an authentic Cappadocia experience.

- Earl Starkey/New York

About Ortahisar

Elaa Cave Hotel is located in Ortahisar in the centre of Cappadocia - only 3 kms from Goreme Open Air Museum, 6 kms from Uchisar Castle, 2 kms from Red Valley and 4 kms from Urgup. In contrast to staying in other towns of Cappadocia, you will find Ortahisar is considered a more local and authentic village where you can experience village life as it once was!


The people of Ortahisar generally earn their living by viniculture, stock breeding and tourism. Local villagers also own many natural underground caves throughout the town that are used as natural cold storage for the large quantities of citrus fruits grown on the Mediterranean coast. The most prominent landmark in the village is the Ortahisar Castle which is a huge rock structure that was carved out at different levels by the Hittites. It was fully restored a number of years ago in an unusual collaboration of stone masons and mountaineers and is now open and safe for visitors. In the village centre where you’ll find shops, restaurants, cafes, ATMs and minibus transport to surrounding villages and tourist sites.


In the quiet surrounding valleys there are also many lesser known cave monastery complexes and ancient Byzantine rock churches. The feeling of walking in these valleys is one of discovery and although you are only a short distance from so many of the main tourist sites the landscape feels unique and untouched.