Hotel Empress Zoe, Istanbul

Authentic historical building in the heart of the old city. Breakfasts were sensational. Very lovely terrace with views of the two mosques (one of which was the Hagia Sofia) and the Bosphorus. Reception manned 24hrs. Someone always available to carry suitcases up the stairs for you. Finally, the resident cats were a highlight.

No lift. Circular staircase only, up to first floor. Older travellers, unsteady on their feet, may find this challenging.

It's the second time I've stayed at Empress Zoe and I enjoyed it as much the second time. The location is perfect for the main attractions and it's close to a tram stop. The breakfasts in the garden are lovely and it's entertaining seeing the kittens playing!

We had no issues

This is a beautiful, historic hotel in old town - close to Hagia Sophia and the cistern. Lively area with nice restaurants. Be sure to check out the roof top for wonderful views of the Bosperous. The staff goes out of their way to be of help. Nice breakfast

The spiral staircase by which to access the rooms may not be suitable for everyone. Too many cats at breakfast (which will be a plus for some people!)

Breakfast was generous and delicious. Good combination of Turkish and western food. Lovely dining with quiet shady garden option. Location couldn’t be better for the ancient city sights. Round the corner from a Michelin Star hotel!

The location was perfect. Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque just a few minutes walk away. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. There is a roof terrace at the top with views of the Bosphorus. Great little garden as well where you can have your breakfast. But please note there is no lift and the spiral staircase can be challenging. Lovely resident cats.

Nothing.

Ornate building. Excellent breakfast. Great view from terrace. Good location.

Fantastic location and wonderful staff.

Good communication with Ozan about the arranged pickup from the airport when we experienced a substantial delay arriving. Smooth check-in and a lovely upgrade from our booked room which gave us views. Breakfast was amazing with a selection of fresh fruit, pastries/breads, salad, cheese, scrambled eggs, other vege dishes and so many types of olives. Reception staff were always friendly, available and ready to give recommendations. Bed comfortable, bathroom clean. Big bottle of water supplied in a small fridge in the room and a communal water cooler to fill it up once it was empty, in the name of eco-tourism. Room was quiet, even though in a busy area. Just the call to prayer could be clearly heard...

Not a problem to us, but 4 flights of a narrow spiral staircase might be challenging to some guests .

Pretty hotel in wonderful location for the Blue Mosque. Loved the garden for breakfast and rooftop for a drink. Staff all friendly and helpful.

Next to bars and restaurants, so noisy at night. But we had read that in other reviews so were prepared.

Old world class and charm.

Great garden out the back to relax in and the breakfast is fantastic. Staff are really friendly.

Cozy hotel in a very central location, wonderful historic rooms, very friendly staff, fantastic view – nothing to criticize, absolutely recommended

Authenticity and location

Nothing

Rooftop garden. Breakfast garden. Location. Ancient charm

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Everything and everyone in the Empress Zoe Hotel, including Sofie and Leo (the resident cats), where absolutely marvellous, delightful, extremely warm, hospitable, kind and very welcoming!!! We felt like home!!!

We loved everything!!!

It was a beautiful looking property in an excellent location that had a real family type feel to it. The staff were very helpful and friendly and having breakfast in the garden was great.

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The property was a lovely authentic hotel in the centre of town near the main historical sites. The garden was a beautiful space of tranquility and the terrace has amazing the views. The staff were lovely ! Overall a perfect stay .

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Location was fantastic. The hotel was old, but that added to its charm. We loved the roof terrace and the secret garden for breakfast.

No elevator, so don’t stay on the top floor like us unless you have good mobility.

Very obliging staff Lovely garden dining area Great location

Excellent breakfast. Location was very good in old town. Front desk was very helpful and spoke English well.

The historic building has narrow staircases. We were on the 4th floor.

Lovely staff and great location for sightseeing

Bit gloomy inside and water not always good pressure

Charming quaint and old fashioned but comfortable. Lovely staff. Great place for sightseeing and good value

Water a little on and off tho when on good pressure. Breakfast ok but not hugely great for brits! Quite noisy at night as tourist area. Our bed was comfy but our daughter's not

We had a wonderful stay. The room felt authentic, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. The terrace was a beautiful spot to enjoy a drink or a meal — those sunrises are ones I’ll never forget. The location is perfect, close to all the major sights you’d want to see while visiting this beautiful city. The staff were kind and attentive throughout our stay.

We traveled with our lively 5-year-old, so I was a little nervous on the terrace and going down the many stairs at times but we were aware of that when booking!

Friendliness of the staff especially Tariq who was super helpful and accomodating. The breakfasts were fabulous and the ladies who served them very wonderful. The atmosphere of the hotel was wonderfully and relaxed

Nothing really the stairs could be a bit of a challenge but we wear aware of those before we arrived

Fantastic location, warm staff, beautiful spacious room with antiques and superb views (including from little terrace and roof terrace). Wonderfully original bathroom with old hammam in shower area. Excellent breakfast in the lovely courtyard. Quiet despite the central location. Very quaint and original! A quick breakfast was given to me on the night before an early departure, so I could consume it in the room with a cup of tea before leaving.

Platform bed was a little short and mattress could be better. Otherwise perfect.

This is in a brilliant location for exploring the historical centre, it is about a 3 minute walk to the Hagia Sofia. Absolutely wonderful staff, thank you so much to the concierge for all his help and advice. We loved the period style rooms, with a wonderful view of the sea, but very comfortably air conditioned.

It was a little expensive for the amount of facilities but you’re paying for the location!

We loved everything about this place. Great location, beautiful building and garden and terrace.

There is nothing not to like.

The garden area for breakfast and very welcoming staff.

Maybe the stairs to get to the room but staff offered to carry any bags which was so nice

The location of this hotel was central to Istanbul's main historical sites so perfect for a first time visitor. The staff were both welcoming and exceptionally helpful including concierge and house keeping. Every morning a spectacular breakfast was served which was enjoyed in a beautiful courtyard, which offered respite from the August heat. One felt that the decor enhanced the experience of Istanbul's beauty and history, providing a warm welcome to weary travellers such as ourselves.

Given the age of the building there is no elevator and we had to climb 68 steps to reach our room which featured a gorgeous terrace. The climb was worth it given the view. However if experiencing any mobility issues I would advise to liaise with staff to ensure your room is accessible.

It is quaint and quirky, with a great story, wonderfully helpful and friendly staff and an amazing historical setting.

It would be so wonderful to have a kettle in the room to make one’s own tea.

Beautiful garden! Lovely view from the room and spacious balcony. Warm and friendly staff. Fabulous breakfast. Excellent location. Good value for money. Great choive to stay while in Istanbul. Walking distance to all the main sites and a variety of good choices. Beautiful locals. Just excellent!! Highly recommended

Mosquitos at night. But the hotel staff was helpful with a device to plug on the wall which kept the mosquitos away.

It felt very authentic and not like a hotel at all. Very relaxed. Gorgeous garden for enjoying a delicious breakfast.

Rustic and boutique style, in keeping with the old Ottoman style.

Brilliant Hotel, a peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Istanbul

Roof terrace, quiet garden

This hotel is full of charm and character and shares an interesting history. The staff were so caring and welcoming making you feel right at home. We loved the daily breakfast served in the tranquil garden settings. In an excellent location just a step away from the major attractions, with a great range of restaurants and bars right at the doorstep. We enjoyed our stay here!

The location, the style of the building, staff communicated well before our trip with our queries, were friendly and helpful, the breakfast was delicious and the resident cats were friendly. It was also located right next to an archaeological site which was really interesting.

Atmospheric hotel in the heart of the old city.

Couldn't get a room for our second stay in Istanbul.

The location is amazing, to see all the postcard sites of Istanbul!

Bathroom is a little compact!

It was terrific

Everything

The hotel was charming and relaxed. It was a lovely cool and calm haven to return to after a day of sightseeing. It was incredibly well situated- everything we wanted to see was within a 10 minute walk. The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful. We loved our stay at Hotel Empress Zoe.

There was nothing we didn’t like!

Hotel empress Zoe was an oasis in the city! We loved the quiet courtyard and had a wonderful time enjoying the property. The staff was attentive and kind. The room was perfect for our family of 4 as it’s difficult to find rooms to accommodate 4 people. Breakfast was lovely. What a dreamy little place.

Charming courtyard and room. Rooftop sitting area with Bosphorus breeze.

Beautiful garden in the middle of the touristical área of Istambul. Just a couple of steps from Main atractions. Área full of restaurants. Great breakfast, that You can take beneath the trees of the garden. Family rooms a great option There was a light cut in the área and hotel had a power generator which was great

It was not a problem for us but it has many many stairs!!! (Although steps are everywhere in Istambul) They take the bagagge so no problem with that anyway!

The location was perfect, right next to Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet square. The staff was very helpful and accommodating, they even lent us an Istanbul Travel Pass that we could charge up for use with public transport. The breakfast had decent selection, but very good. Comfortable bed mattresses.

If your room faces the street, it gets very loud/noisy at night, especially with an open window. The power went out in the whole district for two nights in a row (of course not the hotel's fault). There were loud noises coming from the shower drain and from other floors (creaky wooden floors, loud footsteps). Be aware of most restaurants in the area being tourist traps.

Everything was beyond our expectations. The hotel is small and super cozy. The terrace has a fantastic view. Breakfast is amazing, and breakfast area is super cute. The hotel's location is convenient, everything is in walkable distance. The staff is friendly and helpful. I couldn't find a better place to stay.

It is our third visit to this hotel and this time we came with our boys (aged 20 and 21) and the hotel Did not disappoint. It has such character, great location and an amazing roof terrace just for residents where you can see the Bosphrous and the Blue Mosque. The staff were again lovely and very helpful. Breakfast was delicious and taken in their garden courtyard in the company of the hotel cats Leo and Sophie.

Location is fantastic. All main attractions within walking distance from here. Basilica cistern, blue mosque, Hagia Sophia, Tokapi no more than 10 minutes walk. Tram across to East if needed. Breakfast was included.

I would like a top sheet, not just a duvet but small issue only. It was hot.

Turkish breakfast was delicious enjoyed within a beautiful secluded garden. Close to historical sites. Room felt more like an apartment.

The breakfast was very varied and absolutely delicious. The views from the rooftop terrace stunning and the garden was a lovely oasis from the busy streets. All the staff were very friendly and helpful, but İsmail, in particular was great, giving fantastic suggestions of places to visit and booking restaurants ahead for us when needed.