A delightfully individual hotel (and a member of the "Historical Hotels of Turkey"), the superior 2-star Poem Hotel (locally rated as 3-star) is conveniently tucked away in the heart of Sultanahmet. For those "in the know", Sultanahmet is the historical centre of Istanbul, and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace on their doorstep. Privately owned and run, the Poem Hotel takes pride in its individual service and attention to detail (comments in the hotel's guest book speak for themselves!), and staffs ensure that each and every guest's enjoyment of Istanbul takes precedence. Surrounded by vivid reminders of the city's Byzantine and Ottoman past, the hotel also has the enviable distinction of owning it's own private terrace garden which, during the summer months, becomes a verdant oasis for breakfast (buffet style), or a quiet relaxing drink shaded by walnut and fig trees. Thoroughly recommended