The Empress Theodora Hotel | City stay in Istanbul | Book Now

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Key details

About the Hotel

Alemdar Cad. No:16 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

Rooms with Greek Influence

The Empress Theodora Hotel offers 18 rooms named after historically significant Greek empresses. Rooms range from 16-25 m² and include a designer coffee table, minibar, Bentley kettle set, complimentary bottled water, and rainfall showers. All rooms feature air conditioning, 82-inch LED satellite TVs, and free high-speed WiFi. Some rooms have backyard views, while others are interior-facing without windows.

Rooftop Dining Experience

The hotel features a rooftop restaurant with views of Sultan Zeynep Mosque. Guests can enjoy buffet breakfast served daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on the terrace, available both indoors and outdoors. The restaurant offers traditional Turkish and Greek cuisine in a setting that overlooks Istanbul's historic skyline.

Turkish Hamam Treatments

The hotel provides authentic Turkish Hamam experiences including exfoliation scrubs and massages using flower essence oils. Treatments are performed by trained attendants and include traditional washing at marble basins. The Hamam focuses on improving blood circulation and removing dead skin cells using centuries-old techniques.

Historic Peninsula Location

Located in Sirkeci, Istanbul's historic peninsula, the hotel is 500 meters from Topkapi Palace and 700 meters from the Blue Mosque. The Basilica Cistern is 300 meters away, and the Grand Bazaar is within walking distance. Eminönü ferry docks are 15 minutes on foot, providing access to Bosphorus cruises and Princes' Islands ferries.

Airport Transfer Services

The hotel offers private transfer services from both Istanbul airports: approximately 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport and 90 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The concierge can arrange guided tours to Cappadocia, Bursa, and Sapanca Lake, including flight bookings and overnight accommodations for multi-day excursions.

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Standard Room

Max:

2 persons

185 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Triple Room

Max:

2 persons

205 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Economy Double Room without Window

Max:

2 persons

175 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Getting around

All Transportation Options at a Glance

City Centre

Istanbul2000 ft

Airports

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International (SAW) 27.0 mi

Istanbul (IST) 28.7 mi

Train

Sultanahmet Tram Station1400 ft

Underground

Vezneciler 1.1 mi

Halic 1.1 mi

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Free Wi-Fi

Parking

Luggage storage

Locker room

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Currency exchange
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Shops/Commercial services

Dining

Restaurant

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Spa & Leisure

Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Location

Alemdar Cad. No:16 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

Map view

Alemdar Cad. No:16 Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey

City landmarks

Mosque

Blue Mosque

3400 ft

Square

Sultanahmet District

2100 ft

Museum

Topkapi Palace

2600 ft

Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque

1.1 mi

Landmark

Topkapi Palace harem

2500 ft

Bridge

Galata Bridge

5000 ft

Mosque

Little Hagia Sophia

3700 ft

Monument

Serpent Column

2100 ft

Landmark

Mosaic Museum

2500 ft

Mosque

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

3200 ft

Landmark

Walled Obelisk

2900 ft

Landmark

Column of Constantine

2200 ft

Mosque

Rustem Pasha Mosque

5200 ft

Gallery

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

1.4 mi

Square

Beyazit Tower

4500 ft

Square

Beyazit Square

5100 ft

Nearby

Museum

Hagia Sophia Museum

1200 ft

Alemdar Mahallesi

Basilica Cistern

900 ft

Museum

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

1300 ft

Cankurtaran Mahallesi Ayasofya Meydani No:2 Fatih

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami

900 ft

Historic Areas of Istanbul

1300 ft

Binbirdirek Mah. Divanyolu Cad. No:84 Sultanahmet

TGC Press Media Museum

2000 ft

Alemdar Mah. Alemdar Cad. Eminonu/Cagaloglu

Gulhane Park

300 ft

Prof. Kazim Ismail Gurkan Cad. No: 24 Eminonu

Cagaloglu Hamami

1400 ft

Museum

Hagia Irene

1400 ft

Museum

Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam

1300 ft

Caferiye Sk. Sogukkuyu Cikmazi No:5

Caferaga Madrasa

200 ft

Museum

Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

1800 ft

Kabasakal Cad. No:2 Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi

Tomb of Sultan Ahmet

1200 ft

Merkez Beyazit

Mausoleum of Mahmud II

1900 ft

Restaurants

Sultanahmet Koftecisi

1200 ft

Buyukdere Cad. Astoria Alisveris Merkezi No:127 K:3 Sisli Esentepe

Caferaga Medresesi

200 ft

Cankurtaran Mahallesi

Kosk Kebap

700 ft

Alaykosku Cad. No:21 Alemdar Mah.

Ottoman Life Park

1000 ft

Alemdar Mahallesi Yerebatan Caddesi No10 Giris Kat Sultanahmet / Fatih

Maya's Corner

900 ft

Alemdar Mh.

Cafe Rumist

2200 ft

Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi

Food Lab Istanbul

700 ft

Hocapasa Mahallesi. Hocapasa Sokak. No:37A

Nist Cafe

1300 ft

Alemdar Mahallesi

Yeni Oz Karadeniz

1300 ft

2 cagagoglu Hamami sokagi

Meshur Halk Koftecisi

1200 ft

Divan Yolu 12

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

68%

enjoyed their stay & would return

6.8/10

Nice

Rooms

7.7

Location

9.0

Service

8.3

Dining

8.0

Marcus

United States, May 2024

9.0/10

Staying at this hotel was an absolute joy! The staff are incredibly friendly and honest, always willing to help and even assist with language nuances. The location is a dream, just steps away from iconic landmarks and offering mesmerizing views. While the dining was fantastic with traditional dishes, some small limitations were noticed. Overall, a fantastic stay with just a few minor drawbacks.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were clean and comfortable, offering a nice view of the street. Booking here was a breeze!

Service

9.0

The hotel staff went above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, even helping with my Turkish pronunciation.

Location

10.0

The location is simply unbeatable, surrounded by major attractions, making exploring the city so convenient.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was delightful, offering a mix of traditional dishes and fresh options, although some variety could be added.

Facilities

9.0

The hotel offers a range of facilities to ensure a pleasant stay, with everything easily accessible.

Annie

United States, January 2024

7.8/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. While the room I initially received was small, noisy, and not in great condition, after raising my concerns, I was moved to a more acceptable suite. The hotel's service excelled in cleanliness but lacks friendliness in some instances. The location is truly convenient for exploring the city's main attractions, even though the room choices could affect your stay. The dining options were good but somewhat limited. Overall, a decent stay with some highs and lows.

Rooms

7.0

Although the initial room was tiny, noisy, and in poor condition, the suite provided later was acceptable.

Service

7.0

The staff excelled in keeping the hotel clean, but there were instances of rudeness or insensitivity.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is superb for exploring major attractions, although room selection matters.

Dining

8.0

The dining options were good, but there could be more variety in the menu selection.

Facilities

The hotel provides essential services and amenities but lacks some extras for a more luxurious experience.

Craig

United States, July 2023

8.0/10

My stay at the hotel was overall pleasant. The location was great, near top attractions in Istanbul, but there were some noise issues with the rooms. The service was friendly and accommodating. The dining experience was enjoyable offering a mix of Turkish and Western options. The facilities were well-kept. The value for the price paid was reasonable.

Rooms

7.0

The room overlooked a main road and was a bit noisy with the window open. It was smaller than expected and lacked some amenities shown in the pictures. However, it was still okay despite noise from a nearby building site until late hours.

Service

9.0

The staff at the hotel was very welcoming and friendly, always ready to assist with any requests.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location is fantastic, close to major attractions, restaurants, and the tram line in Istanbul.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience offered a good standard of food with a mix of Turkish and Western options, served in a pleasant setting.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities at the hotel were sufficient and well-maintained.