Hotel Empress ZoevsAjia Hotel
Both hotels are praised by writers. On balance, Ajia Hotel ranks marginally higher than Hotel Empress Zoe. Ajia Hotel ranks #12 in Istanbul with approval from 9 reviewers like Star Service, National Geographic and Lonely Planet.
Hotel Empress Zoe Show All Reviews
Akbiyik Caddesi 10, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122, Turkey
From $54/night
- Free Internet
- Free Breakfast
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
- Multilingual
- Air Conditioning
Rough Guide
"The nineteen rooms are in dark wood with richly coloured textiles, accessed by a narrow spiral staircase."
Concierge
"The Empress Zoe is one of the rare places in the area to display any spark of creativity in its concept and design."
Fodor's
"The hotel's lush garden is an extremely tranquil spot to eat breakfast, and there's also an intimate, two-level roof terrace with nice views." Full review
Travel + Leisure
"Equally close to Sultanahmet’s major tourist sites as the Four Seasons, this boutique hotel is both quirkily charming and easy on the wallet." Full review
DK Eyewitness
"It is claimed that Empress Zoe actually lived here. The two buildings have been restored to an exceptionally high standard of taste and design with an abundance of spacious suites."
Frommer's
"If you do strain your back on the way up, you'll be pleased to find extremely comfortable beds and loads of character when you make it to your room." Full review
The Telegraph
8.0
"A couple of period town houses form the basis for this charmingly simple hotel." Full review
Afar Magazine
"Hotel Empress Zoe, owned by American sisters Christina and Ann, is a little oasis nestled on old Istanbul’s most vibrant cobblestone streets." Full review
The Guardian
"."
Independent
"Several townhouses join together to form this quirky boutique hotel, all of which huddle around a lovely courtyard garden where you can see ruins of a 15th-century hammam"
Ajia Hotel
Cubuklu Cad. Ahmet Rasim Pasa Yalisi No:27 Kanlica, Beykoz, Istanbul 34812, Turkey
From $159/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Hot Tub
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Frommer's
"The contemporary design of this sleek and stylish romantic getaway carries this traditional Ottoman yali into the 21st century." Full review
Lonely Planet
"Ajia is long way from the sights of Sultanahmet and the entertainment district of Beyoğlu, but it's a perfect place for a romantic retreat."
Travel + Leisure
"The Ajia Hotel, a waterfront property in Kanlica, Istanbul, is housed in an 1870s Ottoman mansion." Full review
Star Service
"As a result, its tourist mix of guests spans the continents but typically skews toward those willing to pay for the privilege of excellent views and classy surroundings." Full review
Jetsetter
"In this city of many moods and layers, a quiet place like the A’jia is a welcome retreat. A’jia’s private yacht enables guests to explore the city while still enjoying the hotel’s privacy."
The Telegraph
8.0
"Perhaps its biggest strength is the hard-to-beat location; you can't get a pad much closer to the Bosphorus Strait." Full review
National Geographic
"Deluxe hideout on the Asian-side waterfront, removed from downtown commotion." Full review
Mr & Mrs Smith
"Fifteen large and comfortable rooms and suites offer various luxurious flourishes, but all include gorgeous bathrooms of creamy marble and tile. " Full review
Time Out
"A’jia is a 16 room boutique hotel and restaurant designed by Reşit Soley. The restaurant serves Italian cuisine, selecting dishes that cannot typically be found in Istanbul’s other Italian restaurants" Full review