Istanbul's Empress Zoe
October 14, 2000

When John Willoughby was in Istanbul on assignment for Gourmet magazine, he discovered the Empress Zoe Hotel, a charming spot at a bargain price. He filed the following report:

Located in the historic Sultanahmet district just blocks from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, the Empress Zoe makes up in charm and singularity what it lacks in luxury. Built from the ruin of an old hammam (Turkish bath), its rooms are small but all have tile baths, phones, and air conditioning, not to mention down comforters for the cooler days, and are decorated with local rugs and artifacts. (My room, a very small one on the top floor of the hotel, had a view over a mosque s minaret to the Bosporus.)

The hotel also has a rooftop terrace with a gorgeous view of the Blue Mosque, a small but beautiful courtyard garden for breakfast and relaxing, and a convivial bar. Only one caveat to get to the rooms from the reception area: you have to be able to climb a spiral staircase. Other than that, it s an ideal hotel for the traveler who does not require luxury. And if you do feel a need for a shot of luxe, the Empress Zoe is less than two blocks from the Four Seasons, where rooms go for upwards of $400, and you can hang out in their luxurious lounge and have cocktails.

Empress Zoe Hotel
Akbiyik Caddesi Adliey Sokak, No. 10
Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: 90-212-518-2504
Fax: 90-212-518-5699
email: emzoe@ibm.net
Web Site: emzoe.com
$55 single, $75 double

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