As we were wandering through the cobblestone streets in Safranbolu, threatening rain clouds covered the sky. Rain seemed imminent.
Since it was late afternoon on Saturday, we decided it was time to find a good place for a drink. However, we were surprised to learn that few places, mainly hotels, serve alcohol in this quaint town.
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| The streets of Safranbolu, Turkey. |
As luck would have it, we just stumbled into the Havuzlu Asmazlar Konagi Hotel, located about 1.5 kilometers from the city center. This hotel was actually on my itinerary thanks to Turkish travel writer Pat Yale's website, Turkey from the Inside.
This 300-year-old restored mansion is well-worth a detour just to glimpse the Ottoman pool inside that gives the hotel its name. Apparently, some of Safranbolu's largest houses had indoors pools like this one.
The pools weren't used for swimming; rather they were used to help cool the rooms with running water when the summer days got too hot. I'm sure people also enjoyed the peaceful sound of the gurgling water.
However, I liked to imagine ladies from the Sultan's harem traveling through Turkey and lounging by the pool. A girl can dream, right?
Candles reflecting off the pool water gave the room a soft glow and romantic atmosphere.
Well, we enjoyed our five-o'clock glasses of Efes beer relaxing by the pool and wondering what life was like back in this Ottoman town.
Don't you wish your salon had a pool like this?
� Havuzlu Asmazlar Konagi Hotel - The 11 guest rooms are beautifully furnished with brass beds and kilims, and the restaurant serves a decent selection of traditional Turkish food.
Beybagi, Celik G�lersoy Cad. No. 18
Safranbolu, Turkey
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| Check out this cool fountain head at the pool at Havuzlu Asmazlar Konagi Hotel in Safranbolu. |