Hotel Empress Zoe - Istanbul

Hotel Empress Zoe Istanbul - garden oasis in the old town, 400 meters from Hagia Sophia

Location & Surroundings

Hotel Empress Zoe sits 400 meters from Hagia Sophia, placing guests within a 10-minute walk of the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern. The hotel is on a quiet side street in Sultanahmet, away from the main pedestrian crowds. A tram station five minutes away connects to the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, reachable in about 20 minutes on foot.

Rooms & Suites

Empress Zoe Istanbul offers 25 rooms across two converted period townhouses, each with different layouts and decor. The Suite with Terrace provides a private balcony overlooking the ancient hamam ruins, while the Chez Zoe Garden Suite has direct access to the courtyard. All rooms include private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, natural wood furnishings, and oriental textiles.

Breakfast & Dining

Each morning, a full Turkish breakfast buffet is laid out in the hotel's courtyard garden, offering homemade pastries, fresh fruits, cheeses, olives, borek, and hot dishes. The breakfast staff changes the selection daily and serves eggs, yogurt, honey, and local jams. Guests can take their coffee and tea to the rooftop terrace, which has views of the Bosphorus and the Blue Mosque.

Services & Staff

Hotel Empress Zoe runs a 24-hour front desk with multilingual staff speaking English, French, Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish. The concierge arranges airport transfers, walking tours, and restaurant recommendations. Additional services include laundry, dry cleaning, luggage storage, and a safety deposit box at the reception.

Family & Pets

The hotel provides family suites with separate sleeping areas, a mini fridge, kettle, and sink, suitable for groups with children. Two resident cats, Leo and Sophie, live in the common areas and garden, adding a homelike feel. Staff carry luggage up the multiple staircases and can recommend child-friendly restaurants in the neighborhood.

• Location: 400 meters from Hagia Sophia, within walking distance of Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace
• Rooms: Suites with terrace overlooking ancient hamam, 25 rooms in converted townhouses
• Dining: Full Turkish breakfast buffet served in garden courtyard each morning
• Services: 24-hour multilingual staff, airport shuttle, concierge, tour desk
• Family: Family suites with separate sleeping area, minifridge, and kettle
• Property: Historic garden with Ottoman hamam ruins and rooftop terrace with Bosphorus views

Licence number: 2022-34-0509