Lodging Description: THE HOTEL POEM.. lies at the very center of the old Sultanahmet with modern comfort and convenience surrounded by vivid reminders of the Byzantine and Ottoman past . An Ottoman style boutique hotel, the POEM was designed in the style of traditional Ottoman urban residences and constructed in the late nineteeth century.Carefully restored in 1992, the POEM’s 17 rooms are tastefully appointed and airconditioned. Accustomed to guests mainly from America and Europe, the staff can quickly help with almost any request for dining, entertainment, and sightseeing. Travel to nearby attractions, such as ancient Troy, Ephesus and Cappodicia, and to any other part of Turkey can quickly be arranged. The POEM’s unique location and its efficient staff enable every visitor to enjoy a great variety of rewarding experiences with a minimum of inconvenience. Begin the day with good breakfast on the terrace, shaded by walnut and fig trees, in the breakfast room, or in the privacy of the guest’s own room. There is a spacious roofgarden from which the varied sights of İstanbul can be seen. - To the north, a few blocks away ; the Blue mosque and Hagia Sophia; - Just beyond, Topkapı Palace and the Archeological Museum; - The Grand Bazaar lies barely 10 minutes walk away, but its smaller competitor, the Arasta Bazaar, lies very near the Blue mosque; - To the South, the ceaseless traffic on the sea of Marmara plies back and forth between the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles; - On the sidewalk along the road by the sea, one can walk less than a mile to the first bridge across the Haliç, the Golden Horn; - On the streets near the POEM numerous shops, cafes, newstands and restaurants accommodate the visitor’s every need; A stay at the POEM can be a rewarding cultural experience. In recent months, guests from America and many countries in Europe stayed at the POEM while attending the İstanbul Biennial, Istanbul Music Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival and Art İstanbul and many other artistic and cultural activities. They chose the POEM because of its cheerful ambience, as well as its convenience. That these advantages come without the high prices of the large tourist hotels is another of the POEM’s attractions.