Hotel Empress Zoe, Istanbul

Excellent walkable location to major sites, unique rooms, breakfast variety, service and staff, the cats!

Nothing!

Excellent position in Istanbul old town, stepping on history, hotel has a wonderful indoor garden, very nice staff, good taste of decoration.

Personally I didn’t like the mattress- too soft for my back. Also narrow and abrupt staircase all over.

It was walking distance from all major attractions, clean and neat and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The garden was also a lovely edition!

The room was quite small, for 1 person perfect, but if traveling with a partner it might be a little too crammed. But that's the only complaint!

A terrific little hotel in a great location near the Blue Mosque. Quirky, with friendly staff and good breakfasts.

Perfect location in the old town. The staffs were all extremely friendly and helpful. They made me feel that I was staying with my families.

The spiral staircase was very narrow, and there's no elevator in the hotel. I was glad that I was not carrying a huge and heavy luggage.

After many visits over the years the Zoe has never let us down. From the comfortable room to the amazing breakfast and the BEST staff ......the tranquil garden is an Oasis of peace and calm. I can't imagine staying anyplace else.

An absolutely perfect location for exploring the Old Town sights in Istanbul. Almost everything is within short walking distance . . . and for more distant destinations, the Tram 1 station is also a short walk away. Hotel management was extremely helpful, accommodating and friendly ... and arranged easy transportation to and from the airport, eliminating another worrisome detail. We stayed in a suite with terrace: comfortable, spacious, with its own private entrance up a short flight of stairs, and conveniently located just above the breakfast area. Breakfast was a delight, with an amazing variety of delicious dishes and outdoor tables arrayed across a very peaceful and beautiful garden. We enjoyed a delightful view across the Bosphorus Strait to New Town. Our room also overlooked Kutlugün Sokak, which we accessed by the hotel's rear entrance . . . a very short walk to the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cistern. We heard very little city noise in this quiet corner of town -- just the calls to prayer which are part of the pleasure in visiting Istanbul. We walked to dinner -- and highly recommend Albura Kathisma, just 2 blocks from the hotel (expect to be hounded by every restaurant you pass, but that's part of the charm). We also enjoyed Khorsani, just a few blocks west of the Basilica Cistern. For lunch, you can't beat Cankurtaran Sosyal Tesisleri, - a short 10 minute walk to a beautiful, quiet and reasonably priced restaurant away from tourist sites and a splendid view across the water to the Asian side.

Not a thing

The hotel is located in great location close to many major sights. The common areas and our room have a lot of personality. The staff is friendly and helpful. The hotel serves an excellent breakfast.

If you’re a light sleeper, you mighty want to bring earplugs due to night time street noise and the predawn call to prayer. Traffic is surprisingly heavy for the narrow streets around the hotel. The neighborhood is filled with shops and restaurants with workers who stand out front to sell their goods.

The hotel was lovely - very quirky and traditional - situated close to everywhere we wanted to visit. The staff were very welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. Delicious breakfast each morning in the garden which set us up for the day. The hotel offered and arranged a private shuttle to and from the airport which was perfect for us - particularly as we arrived in a massive thunderstorm!

We liked everything but be warned -there are a lot of stairs to climb if you have a room at the top of the building!

Great rooms and friendly staff. Location was perfect too.

Nothing

The breakfasts were great and we loved the relaxed atmosphere in the breakfast area and the garden. Central location to the old part of town. Very friendly staff.

We really loved our stay there.

Its Location, history, quirkiness, friendliness and of course the cats

Room was a little dark but beds super comfy

The location can’t be beat for all things in the old city. Love that it feels authentic and full of charm. The breakfast selections are outstanding.

Penthouse has lovely sitting area with a nice view. Very handy having breakfast

Stairs to penthouse. Staff carried suitcases up and down

Incredible location, round the corner from the top sights & 5 mins walk from the sea, yet discrete. Neighbourhood felt safe. Superb breakfast with fresh produce and home made delicious baked goods. Great views from the rooftop terrace & lovely garden area. Charming decor. All staff were friendly and highly efficient too.

Nothing - it was ideal for us.

Location is excellent for visiting monuments. Each room is different. I had two different ones. The staff were very polite and helpful. The garden is lovely, though it was too cold for me to breakfast outside. The breakfast rooms are delightful. Interesting paintings everywhere and antique furniture.

My first room, a single, was small, but quiet and equipped with everything I needed

Superb breakfast, very attentive staff, a beautiful and peaceful interior garden and courtyard, a comfortable, spacious suite.

Nothing.

Omg everything is exceptional here. From the clear and prompt communication to the airport transfer arrangements to the cute cats (2) at the hotel to the lovely rooftop views and breakfasts. Just great. Love the room very big, and close to walk everywhere. We could stop by in the noon to nap before going back out to the city because it's so close city center. 10+ stars!

Location, decoration, friendliness, service

A bit cold in the groundfloor bedroom suite

If you want authentic quaint comfortable and lovely staff then this is the place to be. Handy to major sites views of the water restaurants across the street all in one package

The Empress Zoe was exactly as I’d hoped…unique and beautiful, a peaceful sanctuary within Istanbul. I especially loved the courtyard garden where you had breakfast. It was a great place to rest and read outside, before and after being out in the busy city. This hotel is so handy to many of the main sights we wished to see. I travelled with my Mum who is 90 and we chose the garden room that had a side entrance and cut out the need for stairs. Staff were lovely and we really loved our time in this hotel. It is beautifully decorated and full of atmosphere…and as an artist who works in stone, I loved all the old carved stone pieces everywhere.

We knew there were lots of stairs from previous reviews and the hotel were able to assure me that the apartment we’d chosen would be suitable.

The hotel is ideally located for visiting Sultanahmet and the surrounding area. The building has a lot of charm, and each room is different from the next. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the breakfast is superb.

The windows are not very soundproof, and there may be noise from nearby bars and restaurants. The adjacent mosque provides a morning wake-up call with the first adhan (but isn't that part of the charm of being in Istanbul?).

The location is excellent - just a few blocks from the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The staff was wonderful and the breakfast amazing. Free water was available (we were warned against drinking the tap water). Though somewhat cramped, the hotel is charming.

Be prepared to climb stairs, which was fine with us. The neighborhood is noisy and full of traffic, but our room was very quiet. Otherwise, no complaints!

Terrific location. Warm, friendly staff. Breakfast was a pleasure and the garden to sit in a bonus. Also lovely to sit on the roof at sundown - will definitely recommend to friends.

Unique character

Standard rooms a bit too small

The outdoor garden and the character of the hotel.

Great location, staff, breakfast and beautiful courtyard.

Very friendly helpful staff who assisted with carrying our bags up the stairs and providing us will maps and advice. Location was perfect, situated a short walk from all major attractions in the old town.

Staff, beds, location,

We like: -The location in the middle of the toursit area but the room was very quiet - very comfortable bed and pillows - Roof top terrace with expansive views over the river - lovely to watch the sunset -Breakfast in the couryard garden - food was authentic with delicious home-cooked pastries and fresh fuit -Staff very friendly and helpful

There is no lift and our room was on the 4th (top) floor, reached by a winding staircase - it was a bit of a challenge. The staff however, were excellent, taking our 20kg bags both up and down for us. Advice if you dont like stairs...ask for a garden room

Great location for first time visitors to Istanbul and what we hoped to see during our 4 night stay. Lovely quirky small hotel, clean and tidy if a bit chaotic, in a great way. Staff all helpful and friendly. Great room, 2x air con / heating, comfy on the firm side bed, nice little balcony - very nice. Good breakfast. Loved it all and all the cats as well.

couldn't find a fault and didn't any reason to go look for one.

Gorgeous hotel full of genuine Turkish charm and hospitality. Great breakfast choices, mainly Turkish style but delicious, and served in a lovely garden room or garden depending on the weather. Our room had a small private terrace with views of the sea, but it was a climb up to the top floor!

I loved everything about this delightful and charming hotel. Not only are the rooms beautiful and so very comfortable, the entire hotel has a wonderful convivial atmosphere. You can have drinks on the rooftop terrace and watch the sunset or afternoon coffee post sightseeing in the lush garden . Always a chance to chat to your fellow travellers. But the best thing about this hotel is the most delicious breakfast in Istanbul. Fresh traditional Turkish pastries made onsite by a master baker . What a smell to wake up to! Fresh fruits and salads , cheeses Turkish coffee as well. I would go back to Istabul simply for the pleasure of this hotel.

I didn't like that I had to leave.

Very friendly and accomodating staff, good English and the hotel has the perfect location. Breakfast is perfect and you can zit outside in the small courtyard

Rooms and therefor the lenght of the bed was too small for me (191cm)

The hotel has that authentic style which I love, so I chose to stay here again. I liked the comfortable bed and lovely traditional breakfast. I must admit that I prefer the hotel location too. Probably I will choose it again when I am back in Istanbul 😊

The water pressure in the shower could be better, it was difficult to control it. The AC compressors from other rooms outside my window were very loud, it was disturbing when I had an open window.

Our room on the 2nd floor at the front was full of simple character. The shower room was just right. A special mention has to go to a very good washing basin - easy to wash in without knocking your head on the tap or a shelf above (a common problem I find :-). All small signs of attention to detail. Delicious breakfast. Nice garden. Spectacular roof view. Friendly staff.

A little noisy from the street, but worth it for the location!

A stunning garden and roof top and a breakfast worthy of an Empress. The price to quality ratio is amazing - an absolute gem of a hotel.

Small stairway to access rooms only a problem for those with mobility issues

Really an amazing choice and a stop I'll make again when I come back. Only 5 min away from the blue Mosque and the Great Sofia. The staff was lovely and met every of our needs. The breakfast was good.

Everything was on point.

The breakfast was fantastic! I also loved the house cats :) The hotel had a great atmosphere and is very pretty. The staff were all very friendly and professional. Very closely situated to all the main attractions which was convenient.

The location of the hotel is very close to the blue mosque, Hagia Sofia and Topkapi palace and the cistern. Which is very convenient but also meant that I had to deal with more hawkers, and meals nearby were more expensive. The hawkers are no joke! I was harassed constantly every time I went out, and if I’d stayed somewhere less central it might have been more enjoyable

Beautifully maintained with a lovely outside space and super friendly staff

Our room was on the street side near reception, which meant it was noisy into the night

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.

It’s a perfect old building with so much history and the rooftop garden and courtyard are amazing

Spiral stairs to my third floor room.

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.