It was in 1917 when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the great leader and founder of modern-day Turkey, first stayed at the Pera Palace Hotel. Returning many times during times of war and peace, room 101 soon became his favourite room. In 1981 on the occasion of his 100th birthday anniversary, the great leader's room was turned into a museum in which many of his personal belongings are now exhibited.

Room 101 is decorated in “sunrise pink”, Atatürk’s favourite colour, which was used for the façades of all of his houses and museum-houses. The museum room is open to visits with an extensive collection of rare Turkish and foreign Atatürk books, magazines, post cards, medals and other antiques, all gathered from local and international auctions.