Hotel Empress Zoe, Istanbul

Everything was great, and the room was intimate and cozy. I really enjoyed the experience there.

The hotel is very old and steeped in history - quite quirky but utterly charming. The location is brilliant, within minutes of the main tourist attractions and all the staff were super helpful. Delicious breakfast also

Nothing not to like

Great location, friendly and helpful staff, love the cats! Great breakfast.

Great breakfast. Nice toiletries in bathroom including cotton buds. First hotel out of the last five that I stayed in that provided these useful items. Nice modern bathroom. Water supplied in a 1L bottle on first day and then you can refill from the water dispenser during your stay there. Room was heated and warm. Mattress was comfortable. It smelled nice and the linen was pleasant.

They were unwilling to assist me to change a small amount of Euros (10 euros to lira. ) Most of the hotels had no problem doing that. I contacted the next hotel I was going to who helped me change the ten euros happily.

Its amazing place to stay. I wish we could come back later to enjoy it’s hidden garden . Breakfast was delicious. Everybody is friendly and welcoming

Very well located hotel in the old town of Istanbul, with helpful staff. The room was a bit noisy as it was facing the street. Breakfast is served in a pleasant setting (indoor or outdoor), but unfortunately the selection is limited (no fruit).

The location of the hotel is fantastic! It offers a ton of charm and the staff are great. The daily breakfast was a perfect start to the morning. The rooms are of typical size for European hotels (not the oversized we tend to be accustomed to in the US) and outfitted accordingly, ie, smaller beds and bathrooms. But the uniqueness and charm made it a great choice for our family.

No real issues for us - however, with no elevator or lift, it could be difficult for those with mobility issues.

A really nice and cozy hotel right in the center but in a quiet area. I loved how they designed it into the ancient building👍 Yummy breakfast! No meat/sausages but it was ok for me. I really have no complaints)

Perfect location, great service, excellent breakfast, good value. We had a room overlooking a beautiful garden. If you want something charming and authentic, this is it. I would love to stay there again.

Cozy & cat friendly. Great breakfast choice, had table beside wood burner. Lovely courtyard garden with seating areas. Spiral staircase from reception area. Surrounded by great range of restaurants, walking distance to cultural centres, shops & public transport. Helpful reception staff & bags carried up & down for you. Room supplied with extra pillows & blankets. Also radiators & air con. Good sized room with plenty of storage.

The Empress Zoe is a charming hotel located in a historic hammam in Sultanahmet. It's very convenient as it's close to many of the major tourist sites and shops as well as the ferries and trams to and from Eminönü. The breakfast was especially superb. . .the pastries were homemade and very fresh. . . .börek, poğaça, beyaz peynir, lots of different types of olives, eggs, freshly sliced kiwi and oranges, bulgur salad, marinated mushrooms, many different types of bread, jam and honey, coffee, tea and too many other things to mention. All the staff was very friendly and helpful -- from the people who prepared the breakfast to the front desk. Thanks so much for a wonderful stay!

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breakfast was great with great service but instant coffee was a big disappointment . We love Turkish coffee and unfortunately, that was not part of our breakfast experience.

Charming & characterful with a beautiful garden

The first set of stairs were quite tricky

Lovely stay. Staff were great. Building is interesting. Breakfast was fantastic.

Location good for sites but is a noisy part of town.

The hotel is so close to all the old city attractions like Hagia Sofia and Topkapi palace. The Turkish breakfast every morning was amazing. Such variety and something new to try everyday along with delicious fruit, breads, olives and cheese. The room was comfortable and drinking water is available in the breakfast area.

There are a lot of stairs in the property, but we knew this beforehand.

The hotel is in a fantastic location, very close to major tourist attractions. The room is arranged and decorated in a distinctly Turkish style. The bed is clean, and the bathroom is well-equipped with toiletries. In addition, the breakfast here is excellent, offering a wide variety of dishes and fresh fruits for dessert. I will definitely book this hotel again if I return to Istanbul.

Nothing

Brilliant location, helpful staff, quirky rooms

location,breakfast,the staff.

the size of the bed, noise from the nearby pub,

Loved the hotel, the atmosphere, the ambience, the superb breakfast, the area! I also liked seeing the three cats around the place!

I wasn't warned our room would be on the fourth floor and I'm no spring chicken but I managed just five and the reward was our beautiful little balcony.

The hotel is quirky and charming and very well located with a lovely garden. Excellent and professional service and nice breakfast. We had a late flight and our luggage was stored for us through the day which meant that we could enjoy ourselves without worrying.

Best hotel in Istanbul for individual travelers. Friendliest and helpful staff.

Most of the time, internet was not working in our room.

A brilliant boutique hotel, converted from an old hamam. Location near the Topkapi Palace

The layout was a bit awkward

The staff was incredible, very welcoming and helpful.

Can't think of anything.

Breakfast was exceptional

I was stuck in Istanbul for a few days and this was such a wonderful option! Referred by a friend, this was such a perfect location that puts you in the heart of the Faith section. Everyone that worked there was super helpful and I had no issues during my stay. The bed was comfortable and so was the temp which was adjusted (somewhat) by the thermostat🙂. I also really enjoyed breakfast each morning with its wide variety of Turkish/continental options.

I guess it’s not technically what I “didn’t like”, and for me it wasn’t an issue at all, but the only way up is via spiral staircase. This may be difficult for some if you were on an upper level.

My children and I completely fell in love with Empress Zoe and its charming team. From the moment we arrived, we felt right at home. The Deluxe Garden Suite was an absolute dream, and the large, incredibly comfortable bed made us feel like true empresses. Breakfast was freshly prepared every morning with great care and attention, making it a wonderful start to the day. We will definitely come back—preferably during the warmer season so we can fully enjoy the enchanted garden. Thank you for making our stay so special and memorable.

Excellent central location , great breakfast and best bed

If you don’t like stairs make sure you ask for a room that has minimal stairs to get to Very clean but rather rustic bathrooms with minimal lighting

The building is such a unique and delightful building, it was an absolute delight to stay in. Our twin room actually had two little rooms, one with an authentic Turkish bath/shower which was lovely. There was plenty of hot water and the beds were very comfortable. The breakfasts were fabulous with a huge array of yummy things to eat and the staff were knowledgeable and kind, showing us different options and booking things for us during our stay. Thank you Tarik especially for all your help, booking airport transfers, sharing your local knowledge and making our stay so stress free - we absolutely loved Istanbul and staying here made it so memorable!

This property wouldn’t be good for folks who cannot climb a steep spiral staircase tho. We didn’t mind and thought it wonderful, adding to the charisma of the place.

Perfect location in the centre of the historic district, friendly and helpful staff, excellent breakfast, and three adorable cats. We will definitely stay there on our next visit to Istanbul.

The stairs are a little bit precarious. Fo us (age 70) this was not a problem, but anyone with mobility problems should be aware of this.

The location was fabulous and the hotel was really unique, with lovely Turkish decor and attached to historical ruins. Staff were extremely helpful and my 10 year old son loved the cats.

There are lots of narrow stairs which were fine for us but wouldn't suit some people.

Art, character, location, staff, cats, & an exceptional breakfast (without doubt the best ever!).

A cozy and intimate hotel with great attention to detail, located in a romantic corner created from ancient Roman baths. The breakfast is excellent, with fresh and beautifully presented products. Very warm hospitality.

Lovely breakfast served in cosy warm dining room excellent hotel within walking distance of all places of interest very good

Amazing and super helpful staff. Incredible breakfast and sweetest kitty cats. Comfy bed and small but cozy space

Good location for the main attractions but some serious hecklers outside (not hotels fault of course)

Perfect location, friendly staff, lovely authentic bedrooms and breakfast and of course the cats on property!

This a charming hotel with extremely friendly and warm staff. It has a cozy green yard, it feels very homely. The location is perfect too, and the view from the terrace is magnificent.

We really liked the breakfast and garden. The room was spacious and comfortable. Very charming hotel.

Nothing

Had a lovely stay. All the staff were incredibly friendly and the hotel was in a very historic location. The garden and the terrace were beautiful

Really nice and unique hotel with a great vibe. The staff are super friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help. This is especially appreciated since the street is very touristy, with lots of pushy promoters and overpriced places with below-average quality. That’s why the hotel felt like a calm and honest spot where no one tries to sell you anything. The team was always ready to answer questions and share helpful tips 🫶🏻 The location is great, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Big bonus: adorable cats hanging around, sleeping on the sofas, and adding extra coziness. Definitely recommend this place. Great value for money💯

One small downside is the quite steep staircase. This has already been mentioned in other reviews, and it’s something to keep in mind when booking. Going up and down requires a bit of care, especially if you have heavy luggage or any mobility issues.

Excellent central location walking distance from most major sites and well served by public transport. The hotel is full of character. Rooms were small but had a really local feel. Staff could not be more helpful and friendly. Good spread of items for breakfast with plenty of healthy options.

No complaints.

Excellent breakfast. The rooms are unique and decorated with charming historical of style. The property is a repurposed Turkish bath. Superbly friendly and helpful staff

A layout of a repurposed property could be slightly challenging to move around. Albeit very charming.

Location was a stones throw from Agia Sofia. Staff were friendly and helpful. Excellent breakfast.

Great location and hysterical rooms

Everything was great. Might be challenging for anyone with difficulties in walking as the stairs are very tiny , otherwise everything was great

Very well located, confortable, very good breakfast, very nice people

Mind the staircase to the first floor, not adapted if you are unsteady

The staff and Location was great. The brekfast spread was amazing! Their cats are so cute!

The rooms were kinda smaller than i expected. Hardly any space to open luggage.

Great staff. Comfortable and authentic Turkish rooms.

Stairs!

Location is perfect - very close to the main tourist activities but also quiet. Also the staff was super helpful and the breakfast was great. The garden is fantastic and the rooftop stunning. We visited during the winter, so didn't get to spend much time up there, but could imagine how nice a coffee or drink would be up there.

Rooms are a bit on the small side and awkward shape. I think this is fine for an old hotel, but they are a bit dingy.

Location ideal, room adequate, food excellent, what really sets this place apart are the people who work in it, they cannot do enough to make your stay memorable.

Rooms befit the location and the restrictions based on the age of the property. It was great!

Fabulous, but quiet, location near all the main tourist attractions in historic Sultanahmet. Excellent Turkish breakfast, with large selection of dishes to choose from. Friendly, helpful staff, who carried baggage, arranged airport transfers and advised on sightseeing - 24 hour service, even on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. A truly charming experience!

Just a note, already specified on website, that this delightful accommodation would not be suitable for wheelchair-bound guests as there is no lift, only narrow staircases linking the two historic buildings.

The hotel itself is beautiful with a lovely garden to enjoy for breakfast or anytime of day. Our room had not only a view of the garden from one window but a view of the Bosphorus and a minaret from the other. It was stunning. Breakfast was wonderful too and homemade by a very friendly woman. Also, the location was super convenient for only having a few days in Istanbul as it was walking distance to all of the sites.

Nothing not to like! Also, they let us check in hours early due to flight arrival time, at no extra charge. Because of this we got a few hours rest before the adventure began, absolutely amazing service as far as we were concerned!