Finding good accommodation in Istanbul can be a struggle, especially among the plethora of options… we stayed in Hotel Poem in Sultanahmet. This is our complete review, on the rooms, the property… and the BREAKFAST!
Don’t get bogged down on in the search for best hotels in Istanbul… because I’ve done all the leg work for you. We’ve visited and stayed in Istanbul multiple times now over the years. Each time staying a little longer and exploring a little bit deeper. We’ve stayed in all types of accommodation now… budget, midrange, Airbnbs, you name it, we’ve tried it.
And I’ll let you in on a little secret. Hotel Poem comes out on top, when recommending the best hotel in Sultanahmet to my friends and family. Forget Airbnbs (they can be a little shabby and you don’t get the breakfast), what you need is a great hotel right in the middle of it ALL! Below I’ll explain everything we loved about Hotel Poem, their family story and what makes them stand out. I’ll ALSO share a discount code, so you can save some more spending money for the holiday. 💰😍
We absolutely LOVE Istanbul, the people, the city, the food, the shopping. It’s such a fun place, so keep our Istanbul itinerary and guides on hand, I know you’ll get the best out of your visit too!
Let’s get down to it… read on for my review of Hotel Poem in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. I’ll explain everything from the room, to the team, the breakfast, to the location.
* This post may contain affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support!
Table of Contents
Hotel Poem at a Glance
🛌 Small boutique hotel – 19 rooms
🍳 AMAZING complimentary breakfast
🌊 Sea view rooms available
📍 Sultanahmet district
🇹🇷 Locally owned and operated
🌱 Sustainable certified
Location
Firstly, if it’s your first visit to Istanbul and you’re wondering where to stay… I recommend Sultanahmet. Honestly Sultanahmet is the closest to all the main points of interests and sights. Basically this in the middle of the old district on the European side of Istanbul.
The best thing about choosing Hotel Poem, is that you’ll be located right in the heart of Sultanahmet. Not only is it in the perfect district, it’s also positioned on a quiet cul-de-sac street, back from a more main road. This means, in terms of location, Hotel Poem doesn’t get any better. No road noise, no loud bars keeping you awake at night. Just peaceful and in the best spot in Istanbul I reckon!!
The Rooms
One of the things that initially drew me to Hotel Poem was the fun exterior of the building AND the connection made to poets, artists and authors. Yes this piqued my interest! I love a unique stay and finding a hotel that offered something just a little bit different than all the others was a win.
So each of the 19 rooms pay tribute to a famous poet, musician or author. They celebrate artists who made an impact, experienced or stepped through life in Istanbul in one way or another. Some feature artists who fell in love with the city, or who came to experience life in Türkiye for a period. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, poets like Pushkin and composer Tchaikovsky are just some examples.
Our room told the story of Miguel de Cervantes, novelist and playwright of the famous Don Quixote. His colourful tale told of his time captured by pirates, and imprisonment in Istanbul. In all honestly I’d never heard of him, but reading his story on the wall in our room was super interesting.
The rooms are all beautifully and lovingly decorated, with attention to lighting, and quirky features in the room. It’s tastefully curated, without being too much. Choose from a premier, to superior, to family room, right through to the bright penthouse with patio and unbeatable views over the sea. There is something for couples, for families and even for honeymooners!
Sustainability
A great deal of effort has gone into reaching sustainability status at Hotel Poem. And I love that their sustainability policy is displayed transparently on their website.
Hotel Poem has made a commitment to waste separation and recycling, and rain water is collected to irrigate the gardens. Reusable bottles have replaced disposable bottles in the bathroom, and refillable glass bottles are available for drinking water and not single use plastic bottles.
Signs are displayed reminding guests to conserve water wherever possible, and energy saving steps have been put in place to reduce electricity and water usage. Food is locally sourced from organic local farms and the market. But also things that can be, are made in Hotel Poem’s kitchen.
In short the team are putting in the processes across every sustainable element possible. And in doing so they are have been rightfully recognised with a Sustainable Tourism Certification.
I wholeheartedly love to support small businesses, doing everything they can to be sustainable… and I urge you to do the same!
Complimentary Breakfast
Now breakfast at Hotel Poem is something very truly uniquely special! Quite frankly I don’t think I’ve ever had a breakfast like it on my travels.
This homemade spread will not only set you up for breakfast, but also for lunch and the entire day. The little dishes just keep coming and coming, each containing something different that you just HAVE to try. The local cheese, tahini, jams, honey, olives, breads, the salads, the meats, the fruits, the baking… I could go on. And I thought I had seen it all, until day two came along. Day two brought more… it seems the menu rotates! So no two days are the same.
Keeping it in the family, the breakfast menu is crafted by Zeynep, Yağiz’s mum and Derviş’s wife. And this loving sense of breakfast comes across strong from the moment you enter the kitchen and dining room. It feels welcoming and it feels like family. This is a meal to savour, enjoy and to really take your time on.
The Family & Team
This brings me to the topic of family. Hotel Poem is a locally owned family-run boutique property – Istanbul runs in their blood. Derviş and Zeynep were the first owners in the 90’s, now joined by son Yağiz who has joined the fold from slightly further afar in Germany. These days Yağiz has a brand new family of his own and so participates more remotely.
But no doubt, the family feeling is on display in every corner of Hotel Poem. Derviş pops in every day, and Zeynep visits a couple times per week.
Our first welcome through the door, we were met by Eren. A bubbly, enthusiastic member of the team, who knows you by name immediately! And it wasn’t long before Arif came to introduce himself too, equally as friendly.
One of my favourite times of the day was breakfast. Yes because of the food, but also because everyone who walked through the door received the warmest of good morning greetings. The team aren’t simply on board for another day of work, they are genuinely enthusiastic to meet you each morning.
Hotel Poem – The Story
This was also one of favourite discoveries about Hotel Poem, the family story. Hotel Poem isn’t some busy corporate establishment, it’s intentionally small and boutique. Heart and soul has gone into every corner over the last four decades.
It all started in the 90’s when Derviş and Zeynep purchased a property in the Sultanahmet district. Back then it was a different place, not the busy tourist hub it is now. Derviş has a good poet and author friend Sunay Akın (founder of the Istanbul Toy Museum). Together they put their heads together, and decided that each room would be named after a well-known Turkish Poem. And this was how Hotel Poem rolled from the 90’s through to the 2015. The poem framed in both Turkish and translated to English in each room.
Then in 2015, change was in the air and Hotel Poem underwent a large refurbishment. The family decided to pivot away from rooms dedicated to poems, and instead pay tribute to the poets and authors who had stepped into Istanbul. Whose lives had been influenced by this dynamic city sprawled over two continents.
It became a big renovation, lasting several years. Then finally Hotel Poem reopened in 2018. Which means that Hotel Poem is nearing 40 years, but trust me when I say… with all the love it has received, it definitely doesn’t look or feel 40!
Booking at Hotel Poem & Savings Code
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly. I’m here to answer your questions. But if you’re ready to book then read on my dear friend!
I have teamed up with the lovely Erdogmus family, to bring readers a lovely little saving! Use my code is SHARONPOEM30 for a 30% discount and a free bottle of Turkish wine, when making a direct booking through their website here. Or if you prefer to book through an online platform click below.
More on Istanbul
This about covers everything on Hotel Poem, if you want more reading on Istanbul then click through to my links below. I bring you loads of ideas, recommendations and suggestions for your perfect Istanbul getaway.
🇹🇷 Complete 4 day itinerary to Istanbul
🗺️ Where to stay in Istanbul – a full guide to the best destinations and hotels
🌏 Things to do on the Asian side of Istanbul (coming soon)
🫒 Food tour review in Istanbul
📌 Support my small business AND Hotel Poem in Istanbul by sharing and saving this post!
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