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Ciragan Palace Kempinski IstanbulvsHotel Empress Zoe

Both hotels are recommended by expert reviewers. Overall, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul scores significantly higher than Hotel Empress Zoe. Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul scores 90 with accolades from 10 sources such as Let's Go, Frommer's and Condé Nast Traveler.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
8/10
Ciragan Caddesi 32, Besiktas, Istanbul 34349, Turkey
From $282/night
  • Pet Friendly
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot Tub
  • Free Internet
  • Room Service
  • Laundry Service
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Frommer's Frommer's
"The guest list reads like a who's who of international royalty, all lining up for a Bosphorus-view room (not all get one)." Full review
Concierge Concierge
"Well, all you need to know these days is that this is one of only two grand hotels on the European shores of the Bosphorus."
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
"The best things about the place are its location right on the Bosphorus and its amazing infinity pool." Full review
Oyster Oyster
Luxury
"Formerly the palace of an Ottoman Sultan, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski is the grand dame of Istanbul." Full review
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"Staying at this former Imperial Ottoman Palace—an elaborate, Arabian-style compound that the empire’s sultans called home—may easily give you delusions of grandeur." Full review
Time Out Time Out
"In a 19th-century Ottoman palace, this 5-star hotel features an infinity pool with views of the Bosporus." Full review
Star Service Star Service
"Directly on the Bosporus, across the shore road from Yildiz Park, and midway between Dolmabahce Palace and the first Bosporus Bridge, this hotel is arguably one of the best in Turkey." Full review
Fodor's Fodor's
"Once a residence for the Ottoman sultans, the late 19th-century Çırağan Palace (pronounced chi-rahn) is Istanbul's most luxurious hotel." Full review
Let's Go Let's Go
"Congratulate yourself for finding one of the rare budget accommodations in Besiktas, an area otherwise dominated by international luxury chains." Full review
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
"The five-star Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, right on the Bosphorus near Ortakoy, boasts some the most expensive and elegant hotel rooms in town." Full review
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Just make sure you leave enough room to sample the goodies from the chocolate room.
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Hotel Empress Zoe
8/10
Akbiyik Caddesi 10, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 34122, Turkey
From $54/night
  • Free Internet
  • Free Breakfast
  • Laundry Service
  • Concierge
  • Multilingual
  • Air Conditioning
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Rough Guide Rough Guide
"The nineteen rooms are in dark wood with richly coloured textiles, accessed by a narrow spiral staircase."
Concierge 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 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 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 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 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 The Telegraph
8.0
"A couple of period town houses form the basis for this charmingly simple hotel." Full review
Afar Magazine 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
Independent 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"
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