The “Imren Lokum Konak”, an old Ottoman house opened for visitors as the onlyest Boutique Hotel in Safranbolu City.
Katia Freire
Specialist in Tourism of Culture and Arts
Safranbolu City / Black Sea Region – Turkey
During my visit to Safranbolu, I was lucky to stay at a very charming Boutique Hotel, the onlyest in the city and surroundings.
Let me tell you about "Imren Lokum Konak". İt is an old Ottoman house belonging to a traditional family from Safranbolu District. After being restored by heirs of this family, headed by Hidayet Sezer – founder and owner of a traditional Confectioner of Lokum - the so-called “Turkish Delight” – this historical residence with its unique style was oppened to visitors in 2009.
Yet upon your arrival, they welcome you offering a tray of their “Imren Lokum”, in their multiple shapes and fillings – served together with the typical small glasses of çay, during your check-in.
İ may assure you that its wooden ceilings, windows and balustrades, floors, cupboards, doors and roof - which are “key” in Ottoman Architecture – are very well conserved after more than 200 years. The whole residence is adorned witj woodeorking particular to Safranbolu. You will feel the scent of the Yellow Pine and of the Walnut.
The restaurant opens to the inner garden, and a fireplace matchs with a small fountain.
And the Manager – Mr. Mehmet çetin - was proud to show me all the photos of his ancestors, wich covers the walls of the corridors, enlighted with kerosene lamps.
They also have a collection of historical items that bellonged to their families. Each of their 18 room is delicatedly decorated with high-quality Turkish cotton linen. Lots of embroideries which made me feel crazy for them ! So charming ! Good-tasted guys and Fashion-addict ladies would love for having some of this stuff in their own homes!
Imren Konak Boutique Hotel deserves more time of our attention, and not only a couple of paragraphs ! It would be a pitty not to show this hidden charmful hotel to readers, Turism Professionals and travel-addicted as I am ! But I promise I will get back to this issue.
In the meantime, for infos and contacts, here you are: www.imrenkonak.com. |