Hotel Empress Zoe

A beautiful quirky hotel just a 5 minute walk from Sultanahmet Square where 4 of the main tourist attractions are. The hotel is two oldish buildings that have been joined. We had the top floor room with a view of the Bosporus. If the weather is good, breakfast can be taken in a delightful courtyard. Breakfast is a great selection of fresh fruits, cereals, local delicacies & other goodies. However, gluten free products are hard to get in Turkey so it’s worth taking corn cakes or something similar. The staff were very friendly and helpful with restaurant recommendations, public transport advice etc. However, access to the bedrooms and meals area is up a spiral staircase so not good for people with mobility issues. The hotel warns you about this and there are very strong porters to take your luggage to your room!

Accommodation is rustic but quaint and quirky at the same time. If you have mobility issues this is not a place for you. Very centrally located, right around the corner from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and many restaurants. Rooms are small but comfortable. Great setting in the garden for breakfast. Staff is very helpful and friendly.

We loved this small charming family run hotel. It’s right in the center of old city, a very short walk to Hagia Sophia and the palace. It has a great historic feel which reflects the area. It’s has a lovely courtyard where you eat breakfast which is a nice buffet every morning. The room has lots of personality and was clean and modern but don’t expect a western hotel - for our mind, this is so much better. They offer pickup/dropoff to the airport which was helpful and worth it. The staff was helpful throughout.

What a lovely hotel! The location is amazing, just a 5 minute walk to Agia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace or the Blue Mosque, yet it's reasonably priced and charming. The staff are great, from the friendly helpful guy on reception, to the two lovely ladies who prepare the breakfasts. Our room was great, we loved the little balcony. There's a hidden garden at the centre, next to the ruins of the 16th century hamman next door. You can have breakfast in the garden or just sit in the shade during the day. There's also a lovely rooftop terrace with fantastic views. This hotel has been winning plaudits for at least 20 years and deservedly so. Very impressed also that the owner/manager takes the trouble to reply to reviews. We're recommending this place to anyone who goes to Istanbul.

One of the most memorable hotel stays we’ve experienced! From the moment we arrived the staff bent over backwards to help and accommodate us, despite our 6.30am arrival! Excellent room with perfect little balcony, gorgeous breakfast which could be taken in the lovely garden. All the staff were very helpful and our airport transport and guide which were organised through the hotel were faultless! Great location, around the corner literally from ALL the main historic sites…highly recommend if you are looking for something different and out of the ordinary!

A beautiful, magical hotel with fantastic staff. Thank you for making my holiday so special. I will remember my stay forever.