Hotel Empress Zoe, Istanbul

Cankurtaran Mh., Akbıyık Cd. No:10, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Malaysia (show on map)

Expert reviews

Lonely Planet review:

“Named after the feisty Byzantine empress, this is one of İstanbul’s most impressive boutique hotels. The enticing garden suites overlook a 15th-century hamam and the gorgeous flower-filled courtyard where breakfast is served in warm weather.”

Telegraph review:

“Period town houses form the basis for this charmingly simple hotel. Lots of natural wood and stone are enlivened by carefully chosen oriental rugs, textiles and prints. The peaceful garden is graced by palms and the domes of a disused Ottoman hammam, and a stretch of Byzantine palace wall incorporated into reception.”

Guest rating

This an aggregated customer review rating of Hotel Empress Zoe, Istanbul. We have taken customer review ratings from hotel booking sites, search engines, the official hotel website and other travel platforms. This is the average of all those ratings. We only list places that have a customer review rating of at least 4.0 out of 5.0

4.6 out of 5.0

Ranked 4th in Istanbul

49£43$61¥6466C$47A$47HK$477S$80SFr57¥387kr503kr368kr475

What guests liked

All you need to know

The Hotel Empress Zoe is a stylish and luxury hospitality center that offers only the best of services and amenities. The hotel offers comfort, satisfaction, and excitement to visitors in the city of Istanbul.

The hotel provides room and accommodation options such as Suite with Garden View, Small Double Room, Duplex Suite, Penthouse Suite and Deluxe Double Room. Other room options such as Single room and Triple Room are also available for guests ensuring that everyone is catered for.

The Hotel Empress Zoe is located in a prime location in Istanbul where it offers a closeness to some of the city highlight and landmark. The Hagia Sophia is located at a distance of only 300 m away from the hotel while the Hagia Irene is just 400 m away from the hotel.

The hotel is located near some essential places in the city such as Column of Constantine, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque.

The closest airport to the hotel is the Istanbul Ataturk Airport which is 14 away from the hotel. The hotel provides an airport shuttle for guests to and fro the Ataturk Airport.

Amenities such as free Wi-Fi for high-speed internet access, air conditioning, a large flat-screen TV with several satellite channels and a minibar. The rooms come with private bathrooms fitted with needed facilities such as showers and bathtubs as well as thoughtful touches such as bathroom slippers and free toiletries.

The Hotel Empress Zoe offers nothing but excellence in hospitality.

 

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Location

Recent guest reviews

5.0
Adrienne

4 November 2023

We had a wonderful stay at the Empress Zoe and would highly recommend this hotel for anyone wishing to explore Istanbul.

The hotel is lovely, each room decorated in traditional Turkish designs, in a wonderful location close to many of the main sights. The breakfast is fantastic and we enjoyed eating in the garden. The hotel staff is friendly, kind, and very helpful with recommendations.

nothing

4.5
Irene

4 November 2023

Location was excellent close to all the main sites of Istanbul. Excellent Staff.

Location was excellent, Staff also were friendly, helpful and excellent in every way.

A television would have been nice in the room. Otherwise very happy.

4.5
Jacqueline

2 November 2023

Enjoyable. Lovely staff.

Locality. Authenticity Staff very accommodating

Spiral staircase

4.5
Michael

2 November 2023

Fabulous

Close to tram easy to find and they gave me a really early check in which was great.

5.0
Louise

31 October 2023

Exceptional

The standout feature of Empress Zoe apart from all the staff is the extraordinary courtyard. Tranquillity in a bustling city.

5.0
William

29 October 2023

A great place

Great location. Characterful hotel. Friendly and helpful staff. Great breakfast in lovely courtyard garden

5.0
Billy

28 October 2023

Totally enoyable.

Loved the garden. The outside eating was great. The ambiance of the place great. The staff excellent, very friendly.Highly recommend.

No Night light in bathroom

4.5
Cristina

26 October 2023

Fabulous

I have had a wonderful holiday to Istanbul. Impressive culture, delicious food, and appetizing desserts, altogether made an unforgettable vacation. The hotel Empress Zoe where we stayed was brilliant.; clean, friendly, staff, good and healthy breakfast.

I can't say anything that we did not like, we enjoyed every moment.

5.0
Roswitha

26 October 2023

Great location, friendly staff. Just unique !

We liked everything 👍

5.0
Julie

25 October 2023

Exceptional

The garden breakfast was my favorite part, great breakfast choices. Loved the location, being close to lots of important sites.

4.5
Acarander

21 October 2023

A Turkish palace

It was so beautiful and a real little relaxing haven in the busy city life of the area. The staff were super friendly and accommidating, going above and beyond every time you needed anything. The breakfast was fresh, quality, and excellent variety, while still being a Turkish experience. Location was second to none, and the pillows were better than my own at home in my bed. I will definitely be returning, as I heard many other guest confirm as well. Well done to all the staff, a truly lovely holiday stay. Thank you 😊

The plumbing was out for a few hours one day, but really it was sorted asap, there was no problems with any toilet issues that I experienced, and I'd say it was handled expertly.

4.0
Jeanette

20 October 2023

Very good

Interesting building with an enchanting garden. The breakfast was great and the staff were so helpful.

4.5
Helen

19 October 2023

Great city to explore!

Lovely quirky building, very clean & helpful staff

Nothing

5.0
Lisa

18 October 2023

An oasis in the heart of Istanbul

Excellent staff and very accommodating with booking tour guides, and giving suggestions on things to do and directions

Steep stairs

4.5
Lesley

16 October 2023

We loved it

Great location, wonderful breakfast, quaint accommodation in an old historic building, friendly helpful staff

Room was very small.

4.5
Lynette

16 October 2023

Very comfortable and well located

Breakfast was great in the garden.

The spiral staircase for someone older, but I manages, and there would not be much choice for them.

5.0
Lisa

14 October 2023

What could have been a stressful isolating experience navigating medical issues from a fall in a country I had just arri

On day 2 I slipped and fell while leaving a small store and injured my knee (likely ACL). The entire staff, owners and locals have gone above and beyond providing help navigating stairs, medical supplies, ice packs, drinking water arranging meals and creating a feeling of belonging as I had to cancel my two week boat and bike tour and stay two additional nights to be comfortable/stable enough on crutches to travel back home to Boston. The garden area has also been an oasis with one of the oldest sites of two former hamams on the east perimeter. As a retired single woman I feel so blessed to have booked at Empress Zoe which has taken the sting out of an unfortunate mishap and determination to return next year and share with friends and family!

In my single room the bathroom felt a bit tight, but ironically I had more items I close proximity to hang onto as I couldn’t put much weight on my leg!

4.5
Margaret

13 October 2023

Fabulous

Our room was quaint and comfortable. I especially liked having breakfast in the garden area. The staff were very helpful printing some forms we needed while travelling. Thank you

Nothing

4.5
Diane

13 October 2023

Gorgeous Ottoman style boutique hotel on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus.

Superb setting close to the Sultanamet. Wonderful, helpful staff. Delicious breakfast each morning in a garden courtyard. Great recommendations for nearby restaurants. We especially loved the Ottoman style suite we stayed in. Superb value for a great stay.

At our age the spiral staircase was a challenge although the staff carried our luggage for us. There is also an easier alternate way to enter the hotel to avoid the spiral stairs. Also, they are honest in their description in letting guests know what to expect. The staff do everything they can to minimize the challenges. And, of course, it's not their fault that we are 70! I still would stay there again.

4.0
Susan

10 October 2023

Very good

The quirky essence, artwork on the walls, the breakfast offerings and garden to relax in

The breakfast was served too late ie from 8.30am. I am an early bird and would have preferred breakfast from 7.30am

4.5
Vicki

7 October 2023

Nice stay in historic part of Istanbul and stones throw to major attraction

The location was excellent. Our rooms were very comfortable and breakfast was outstanding

Extra services eg. laundry, transfers were cash only.

4.5
Allen

6 October 2023

Unique hotel, excellent location, good staff. A memorable hotel, one of the most unique hotels in the world.

Perfect location in the old city, the Sultanahmet. Close to Blue Mosque, Hakia Sofia and Topkapi Palace. Very unique hotel with beautiful garden. Exceptional customer service with staff available 24/7 including porters. Staying at this hotel was a wonderful experience, an authentic way to visit Istanbul.

Some of the rooms on upper floors require walking steep spiral staircase. This can be a problem for people with walking problems or disabilities. Ask for first floor room.

5.0
Michael

5 October 2023

Lovely staff. Arranged great airport transfers. Perfect Tourist Location

Wacky design hotel incorporated several ancient buildings in the perfect spot for being a tourist in Istanbul

Nothing

4.0
Jonathan

5 October 2023

Great location, private and quiet hotel with character

Wonderful private garden to enjoy breakfast. Guests were quiet and respectful. Felt very peaceful despite being within touching distance of the main tourist sites - making it very conveniently located too! My room was the perfect size and had a lovely view of the garden. The breakfast was varied and nicely done.

The hotel had arranged a taxi to pick me up from the airport. I waited an hour and it didn’t turn up. I had to just grab a taxi there and then as it was pouring with rain. When I did arrive at the hotel and explained this, the receptionist/manager was not apologetic or particularly sympathetic to what had been quite a stressful journey. Otherwise the staff were all very professional, helpful with local tips and very courteous in serving breakfast and cleaning the room.

4.5
Leah

29 September 2023

Brilliant location in a charming hotel that hearkens back to yesteryears of travel.

This was a gem of a place, right in the middle of all the sites. Breakfast was lovely and we could eat in the stunning courtyard. I got upgraded to a beautiful suite, that was tastefully decorated in the Ottoman style.

Hotel facilities

Food & Drink

  • - Bar
  • - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
  • - Fruits (additional charge)

Reception services

  • - 24-hour front desk
  • - Express check-in/check-out
  • - Tour desk
  • - Luggage storage
  • - Concierge service
  • - Invoice provided

Outdoors

  • - Garden
  • - Terrace
  • - Sun terrace
  • - Outdoor furniture

General

  • - Non-smoking rooms
  • - Family rooms
  • - Safety deposit box
  • - Heating
  • - Non-smoking throughout
  • - Air conditioning
  • - Designated smoking area
  • - Shuttle service (additional charge)
  • - Airport shuttle (additional charge)

Cleaning services

  • - Laundry (additional charge)
  • - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
  • - Ironing service (additional charge)
  • - Daily housekeeping

Business facilities

  • - Fax/photocopying

Transport

  • - Airport pick up (additional charge)
  • - Airport drop off (additional charge)

Pool and wellness

  • - Sun umbrellas

Activities

  • - Walking tours (additional charge)
  • - Themed dinner nights (additional charge)

Miscellaneous

  • - Key access
  • - Security alarm
  • - Smoke alarms
  • - CCTV outside property
  • - Fire extinguishers
  • - Breakfast takeaway containers
  • - Delivered food is securely covered
  • - Thermometers for guests provided by property
  • - Face masks for guests available
Check availability 49£43$61¥6466C$47A$47HK$477S$80SFr57¥387kr503kr368kr475