Good People of vitruta: Tolga Akarcalı

Tolga, welcome. We always start with the same question, so let’s not break the routine. How would you introduce yourself to those who don’t know you? Who is Tolga? How did it all begin, what has he done, and how is the journey continuing today?

Tolga started life with blond, curly hair, unfortunately that part didn’t continue 😊
We can say He’s the kind of person who loves being in nature, staying active, learning new,spending time in large groups with loved ones, traveling frequently for both work and pleasure, enjoying long and fulfilling conversations, and meeting new people.

His professional life has also been quite diverse. For two years, I managed Mercan Dede and discovered a completely different world. For five years, I provided consultancy in Turkey to the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade on the projects they were involved in. Later, I reversed that direction and began working with Turkish exporters’ associations, focusing on business development for companies aiming to sell in the UK.

Throughout all of this, Taşkonaklar was always there, continuing in the background. About five or six years ago, I fully took over and embraced it as my main profession. Following that, again in connection with the hotel, A.R.C. – A Residence of Creation – and Moniq Restaurant emerged.

A hotel in the heart of Cappadocia and a creative residence… How do you bring different disciplines together in one common ground? What does a typical day in Tolga Akarcalı’s life look like?

In fact, the common ground is Cappadocia; everything revolves around it. Our restaurant Moniq, which focuses especially on regional gastronomy; our hotel Taşkonaklar, designed to offer guests a genuine Cappadocia experience through its architecture, texture, and details; and finally A.R.C., which aims to make the inspiring and extraordinary energy of this place more accessible to creative minds around the world while also opening local artisans to the global stage.

As for a typical day: when I’m in Istanbul, it’s more computer-based and email-focused, but I still need to manage my time and schedule carefully between exhibitions, meetings, project discussions, and of course social life. In Cappadocia, I don’t have an office or a dedicated workspace, so you’re very likely to find me working on my laptop in the restaurant. Other than that, my day is mostly spent talking with the team and our guests.

Taşkonaklar Hotel is a very special place, faithful to the texture of Cappadocia. As an investor in hospitality, what details do you think transform a stay from simple accommodation into an unforgettable memory?

Our aim is to apply the care and attention we give to our guests across all touchpoints from the very beginning and to help them slow down from the moment they step into the hotel.

I believe the biggest priority is that when you wake up in the morning, your room reminds you where you are. The architecture, texture, and light should reflect the spirit of the region and say, “You are in Cappadocia.” It’s about offering guests the opportunity to slow down by truly touching the spirit of Cappadocia.

 To slow down, to savor the moment, and to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes the region offers. In my own travels, I tend to avoid chain hotel rooms that feel the same wherever you are in the world. Instead, I look for places with soul, hotels that allow me to truly experience the destination.

Another crucial point is, of course, the quality of your people. Your team must genuinely care about guests and sincerely embrace the effort of meeting their needs and expectations. Being a family-run hotel still brings a certain level of attention to detail, and our philosophy of “Luxury with a touch of family” elevates Taşkonaklar beyond accommodation into an experience.

The final touch is offering guests experiences they can only have in Cappadocia: a private candlelit dinner in an 800-year-old cave, or a specially set table in the valleys at sunrise so you can watch hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky. These are the moments that turn a holiday into a true memory. 

Right after that, we’re curious about Moniq, the restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. Moniq’s story begins with your mother’s love for a ruin and the vine growing over it. How did this family legacy and the idea of reinterpreting Cappadocia’s multicultural cuisine shape the spirit of Moniq?

Moniq is named after my mother, who played a key role in starting our Cappadocia story. Her desire to transform a ruin with a vine growing over it into a home was the first spark of the story we built here today.

When we visit a place, we remember it not only through what we see, but also through what we taste. Just as we plan where we will go, we also plan in advance where and what we will eat. Sometimes we even travel just for those meals. What we eat and drink becomes one of the most lasting parts of our connection with that place. That’s why our biggest dream at Moniq is to elevate our guests’ Cappadocia experience to the highest possible level. Our menu is shaped by the region’s layered culinary heritage and the deep-rooted traditions of Turkish cuisine, interpreted through our own contemporary and original perspective.

Entering the Michelin Recommendation List in our first year, and being recognized as an “Inspectors’ Favorite,” was not only a great joy but also a beautiful sign that we are on the right path.

Art forms a large part of your multifaceted life, and A Residence of Creation (A.R.C.), which enabled the exhibition we are currently in, is part of that. Could you tell us about this artist residency program, born from the collaboration between Taşkonaklar Hotel in Cappadocia and the Istanbul-based art gallery Ambidexter? How did the idea for A.R.C. emerge? Why is bringing creative people together for collective production important to you? As far as I know, since 2022, it has hosted more than 30 artists, supporting their production and inspiration.

For many years, I had the idea of evaluating and opening for independent use the old mansion located next to the hotel. The idea for A.R.C. was born in 2021 during the renovation of the hotel’s common areas, while speaking with Mesut Öztürk, whom we had invited upon our architect’s recommendation to acquire one of his works for the hotel. Together with Ulaş, the founder of Ambidexter, whom I met during that process, we launched A.R.C. in August 2022 and continued it together for three years. We have hosted more than 30 creative spirits, from Mexico to Australia.

One of my most unforgettable moments came just a few months after we started, when I received an email from Galerie Philia, one of the world’s leading design galleries, proposing a joint residency. When I first read it, I thought someone was joking. The exhibition we opened in the caves under the curation of its founder Ygaél remains unforgettable: the music selection and the magical atmosphere are still etched in my memory.

I have always had an interest in art and creativity, along with a certain admiration born from my own lack of talent. Through A.R.C., being able to take part in creative processes and support creative spirits brings me immense satisfaction.

A slightly personal question 😊 What does the suitcase of someone constantly on the move look like? How do you balance comfort and style when traveling?

Since it’s winter now, my essentials are a white T-shirt, a good cashmere sweater, and wool trousers. When I find a product that successfully combines comfort and style, I’m genuinely happy and don’t hesitate to add it to my wardrobe. I can proudly say I’m quite ambitious about packing a suitcase where my clothes don’t wrinkle 😊 Especially on trips that involve a lot of walking, choosing the right shoes is key. They need to be comfortable, but they shouldn’t scream, “I’m a tourist and these are my walking shoes!” 😊 At the same time, if I decide to go on a nature hike, they should be able to handle that too. That’s why my Salomon shoes are my favorite.

What’s currently on your desk, bedside table, or playlist? Could you recommend a book, podcast, or film that has excited you recently?

The last book I read was Atomic Habits, and it has truly been effective in helping me build habits I had long wanted to establish. Thanks to it, my bedside table these days feels like a full New Year’s resolution setup. I also keep my gratitude journal with me on my travels and write in it every night before bed. To make it more enjoyable, I use my antique Cartier pen. Unfortunately, since it’s very old, replacement cartridges are no longer produced, and I only have one left. Next to my bed, I also keep my yoga mat so I don’t forget my morning yoga. And of course, we shouldn’t forget our dog Thor; he has his own cushion right beside the bed.

As for playlists, my current favorite on Spotify is 90’s hits. It’s such a joy to return to my childhood and youth with every track.

Which brands in vitruta’s curation reflect you the most?

As a former runner, Asics. Salomon shoes that accompany me both on nature walks and in the city. Stanley thermoses that we never travel without. And thanks to vitruta, I discovered forét, whose alpaca wool sweaters I absolutely love for their texture.

With such a busy schedule, where do you go to reset your mind? What do you listen to? Or perhaps the better question is, do you even get that opportunity?

When I’m in Istanbul, my biggest helper is walking our 14-year-old dog Thor by the seaside every day. Especially during the morning session, the sight of the small fishing boats departing from Yeniköy harbor gives me immense peace, and their sounds take me straight back to my childhood. Even if I’m not always successful, I try not to look at my phone during my morning walk and to enjoy the present moment as much as possible. Sometimes I set an alarm on my watch and try to meditate for five minutes on a bench. For a while now, I’ve also been doing ten minutes of yoga followed by ten minutes of meditation every morning after waking up.

Finally, when you think of “vitruta” and “Good People,” what comes to mind? Brand, neighborhood, individual, color, event… whatever comes to you.

First of all, Selçuk. And then the parties and gatherings he organizes for Good People, along with the wonderful people I’ve met there.