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The Empress Theodora

Hotel near Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

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Photo gallery for The Empress Theodora

Outdoor dining
Free daily buffet breakfast
Hallway
Staircase
Triple Room | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Room service
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Cankurtaran Mah. Alemdar Cad. 16, Istanbul, Istanbul, 34122
  • Blue Mosque
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Sultanahmet Square
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Hagia Sophia
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Istanbul (IST)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

Economy Single Room, No Windows

  • 215 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Double Room

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Double Room

  • 215 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Single Room

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Triple Room

Triple Room | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Triple Room

  • 248 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 Double Bed

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed | Minibar, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed

  • 215 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Economy Double Room, No Windows

  • 215 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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About the neighborhood

Istanbul

Heart of Istanbul.At this Sultanahmet hotel, you'll be well placed to visit Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, both steps away. Sultanahmet Square and Grand Bazaar are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Blue Mosque - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Sultanahmet Square - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Hagia Sophia - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Topkapi Palace - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Grand Bazaar - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Gulhane Station - 3 min walk
  • Sirkeci Marmaray Station - 6 min walk
  • Istanbul Airport (IST) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Gülhane Sur Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Köşk Kebap Dürüm Evi - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Le Safran - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Foodie-Ist Restaurant-Brasserie - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Must Turkish Restaurant - ‬1 min walk

About this property

The Empress Theodora

Hotel near Hagia Sophia in Istanbul
There's a restaurant on site. Free breakfast is served daily. A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee. A rooftop terrace, a library, and multilingual staff are also featured at the business-friendly The Empress Theodora.

This Istanbul hotel is smoke free.

  • 18 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Built in 2011
  • Buffet breakfast (free)
  • Terrace on the roof
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Library
  • Computer for guest use
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
The Empress Theodora offers 18 accommodations with minibars and safes. Accommodations offer separate dining areas. Flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels. Bathrooms include showers, slippers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Languages

Arabic, English, Russian, Spanish, Turkish

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room crib
  • Laundry facilities
  • Separate in-room dining area

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Library

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Free crib

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 1 PM
Express check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Free cribs (infant beds)!

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: TRY 270 per vehicle (one way)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts major credit cards, Visa, and Mastercard.

Property is also known as

Empress Theodora Boutique Class
Empress Theodora Boutique Class Hotel
Empress Theodora Boutique Class Hotel Istanbul
Empress Theodora Boutique Class Istanbul
Empress Theodora Hotel Istanbul
Empress Theodora Hotel
Empress Theodora Istanbul
The Empress Theodora Hotel
The Empress Theodora Istanbul
The Empress Theodora Hotel Istanbul

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Empress Theodora to the airport?

The Empress Theodora is 28.3 mi (68-min drive) away from the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Intl. Airport (SAW) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Empress Theodora have an airport shuttle?

The Empress Theodora offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, for a charge of TRY 270 per vehicle, one way.

How close is The Empress Theodora to the beach?

This hotel is 12.7 mi (31-min drive) from Florya Beach.

Does The Empress Theodora offer free breakfast?

The Empress Theodora offers free buffet breakfast every day from 8 AM to 10 AM.

Is there a casino at The Empress Theodora?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at The Empress Theodora?

Check-in begins at 1 PM.

Is there free parking at The Empress Theodora?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does The Empress Theodora have a pool?

The Empress Theodora does not have a pool.

Does The Empress Theodora have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does The Empress Theodora have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is The Empress Theodora to downtown Istanbul?

The Empress Theodora is 0.8 mi away from Istanbul.

The Empress Theodora Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 18 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 56 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Zainab

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best hotel staff and best hotel experience ever!!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 6 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

A

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good stay

Very nice stay. Comfortable and good value for money
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

A N MISTRY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent location and cooperative stafg

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Sam, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice hotel Good location

Good location near Gulhane tram station. Excellent reception staff. Nice new room. Breakfast basic good spread. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good

Good hotel. Good service and location but very hard for taxis to reach

10/10 Excellent

Dimitar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Highly Recommend

We stayed at The Empress of Theodora Hotel for 3 nights and this is the nicest hotel in the city!! The room was nice and clean, great bed and breakfast! We enjoyed our time there! We will definitely come back, because those 3 days were amazing!

10/10 Excellent

Safwan, Cairo, Egypt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great small hotel

I liked the convenience of the location. Breakfast included in the rate was very well served People were nice and friendly I hoped there was a setting arrangement in the room; seat and coffee table

10/10 Excellent

Anita, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The best place

I am so happy, my dream come true

8/10 Good

Carlos, Toronto, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A good one!

Unbeatable location. Very friendly staff. The carpet in my room was a old (a little worn out and stained) but the room was very clean. Breakfast was pretty good. Only that it didn't have real coffee (only instant coffee offered), and started at 8am (a little late, if you need to catch a tour).

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A nice hotel to stay in the center of Istanbul.

I feel lucky to have chosen this hotel when visiting Istanbul. A few things I really like about it. Hotel staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I consulted with them each morning about where to go and how to get there. It turned out the information they provided was very helpful. I also like the location of this hotel. It is quite convenient no matter where one wants to go. I will choose this hotel again if I visit Istanbul in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Leonid, Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

We like it there

This was exactly what we were looking for. Right at the middle of the old city attractions. Those who used to or require more space may consider some other place - room is extremely minimalistic. However this was just what we needed for the two day stay. Included breakfast was really good and service was not only well organized but also friendly and cheerful.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good centre to see the Istanbul sights

Very comfortable. Good breakfast on the terrace. Very friendly and helpful staff. We were there for two nights, should have been longer. Easy to get around on the trams to the Bosphorus. Walking distance to Topkapi park. Good restaurants minutes away. We had a great stay.

8/10 Good

mark, oakland, california

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

great value

The good: Great location, nice mattress, robust breakfast, fantastic staff. The bad: tiny shower, street noise (although the muezin calls to prayer were a real treat and the trams and crowd quieted down after midnight).

10/10 Excellent

Monika, Singapore

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect place to be at!

The hotel location cannot get better than this - right at sultanahmet! Would recommend this place to anyone visiting Istanbul for three main reasons - knowledgeable staff, excellent hospitality and staff and the perfect location (walkable to aya sofia, blue mosque, topkapi palace, grand bazaar, basilica cistern, ferry station for bosphorus cruise, great eating places and to add to it, the tram station is right outside the hotel)!

10/10 Excellent

Yev, Edmonton, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Magic Location in the Heart of Old Istanbul

The location of the hotel is superb in the heart of the Sultanahmet area. It is located next to Ayasofya, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Very convenient to get to the tram line. Lots of shops, restaurants, and historical places around. The hotel staff is very friendly and helpful. The breakfast is very diverse and tasty.

10/10 Excellent

Maurice, Greater Boston Area

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Location, Class, and Hospitality

If you come across looking for a vacation stay in Istanbul, look no further. Empress Theodora is it. This is a family owned hotel situated right on the TRAM line between the Hagia Sophia and the water front. Behind the hotel, it's the old palace wall in side of which are the Topkapi Palace, and the Archeological Museum. It's within a minute walk to the entrance of the Gulhane Park, and minutes to everything. Unlike some of the other hotels that are in the narrow small streets that are not accessible by taxi, Empress Theodora is right on the main road. Yet it is very quiet in the room. The hotel is very clean, has nice furniture and tastefully decorated. The rooms are larger than most hotels I've been. The beds are firm and comfortable. No tub, and the shower is rather small for a large person. But the hot water is always there. The free breakfast is very fresh and abundant with lots of selections. What I like the hotel the most is the people. The host is a young man by the name of Ersen - extremely friendly, and speaks perfect English. (His parents live by the Delaware River, and his uncle owns the hotel.) He works very hard. You will likely see him in the mornings and the evenings, day in and day out. He always greets you with a big smile. He has special business contacts that he takes responsibility for, so you won't be cheated. For example, if you order a Taxi to go to the airport, he trusted no one but the one he knows he can trust. Very satisfied!

8/10 Good

Isabella, Bucharest

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

good location, very client oriented staff

Excelent location if you want to be close to the Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace there are at 3-5 minutes walk We had the back home plane very late in the evening and we've been very pleasently surprised by the reception personell who assured us that we can check out at 8 PM without any extra charge. The room is comfortable, the bathroom clean and functional, the breakfast good, they have a nice terace

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Istanbul

We enjoyed our stay, breakfast on the rooftop was lovely.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Location is the best!

The hotel is located right up the street from Sophia Hague and the Blue Mosque. It is a great location. The hotel is right on a busy street. It does not have an elevator but they carried my bags to my room (they were heavy!) For the price, it was a great value. I chose a room without a window because it was quieter. The rooms on the street side are nice, but the trams and buses go from early in the day til late in the evening and I needed quiet. They have a fake window in the room and I was fine. They had a huge breakfast buffet which was included, plus free wifi, which I really appreciated. They gave me bottled water each day in the fridge for free, another plus. The room was clean and I had enough room to move about. The bed was fine. Lots of places to eat near by. Many great sites and bazaars not far. Try visiting a Turkish bath, I visited 2. Avoid the one next to the Grand Bazaar it is too busy, at least when I went. Great value for the money at this hotel.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Convenient place, helpful staff.

Good location. heloful staff. The room had no window but it was big enough and was clean. The breakfast was OUTSTANDING!!

10/10 Excellent

dsq, Maryland, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Thank you, Empress Theodora Hotel!

What can I say? The Empress Theodora Hotel met my expectations in every way! I am actually planning to visit again next summer, and I plan to stay here again! The room and bathroom were always clean and comfortable. The staff spoke very good English and were extremely helpful with recommendations and advice. Another added bonus was its location. It's across from the tram and near several major attractions, including souvenir shops and restaurants. The free breakfast buffet had enough variety to please any picky eater. Really, I can't think of anything negative to say! Thank you, Empress Theodora Hotel! Part of what made my visit to Istanbul so memorable was staying here!

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

P:E:S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Thank you!

Perfect service and a breakfast buffé out of the ordinare! Thank you!

10/10 Excellent

Sayid, California

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing location

Excellent service, great quality for the price OMG I have nothing bad to say …. ill come back definitely