Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa, Istanbul - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

Hocapasa Mah. Hudavenigar Cad. 17/19, Istanbul, Turkey, 34400

Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa is a special class hotel in the heart of Istanbul's historic Old City Center. It has received the 'Best of the Best' award six times, reflecting its commitment to quality service. The hotel is situated within walking distance of major attractions such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia. With a focus on Turkish hospitality, it offers modern amenities alongside traditional experiences like the Hammam.

Location

Nestled in the Old City, the hotel is a short 10-minute walk to key attractions like the Spice Bazaar and Eminonu Square. It is easily accessible via metro from Ataturk Airport, with public transportation options nearby including bus and tram services. Guests can also find an array of shopping venues, bars, and restaurants just 50 meters from the property.

Rooms

The hotel features 40 individually decorated rooms that include extra-long beds, satellite TV, and a seating area with a work desk. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service for added convenience. Amenities also include premium bedding, a pillow menu, and direct line telephones. Certain rooms provide a captivating view of the city.

Eat & Drink

Guests can enjoy a rich buffet breakfast at the Terrace Restaurant & Bar, which also serves a variety of Turkish and international cuisine. The restaurant offers full-service dining with picturesque views of the Galata Tower. Additionally, the hotel's Coffee House provides a bistro atmosphere with garden views, perfect for relaxing after a day's exploration.

Leisure & Business

The hotel includes a Turkish Hammam, sauna, and massage services for relaxation and rejuvenation. Business facilities are available with a conference room accommodating up to 100 guests, along with a business center. For leisure, guests can access a gym and beauty salon, as well as a cocktail lounge for unwinding with friends or colleagues.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Triple Room

Max:

3 persons

23 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Double Room

Max:

2 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Istanbul700 m

Airports

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International (SAW) 43.8 km

Istanbul (IST) 45.8 km

Train

Sultanahmet Tram Station700 m

Underground

Halic 1.5 km

Vezneciler 1.6 km

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Wi-Fi

Parking

Luggage storage

Locker room

24-hour services

24-hour reception

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Currency exchange
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Key card access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Housekeeping
Car hire
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Grocery shopping service
Shops/Commercial services
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's buffet

Spa & Leisure

Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Turkish bath
Massage
Public Bath

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Bathroom telephone

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
Direct dial telephone
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Hocapasa Mah. Hudavenigar Cad. 17/19, Istanbul, Turkey, 34400

Map view

Hocapasa Mah. Hudavenigar Cad. 17/19, Istanbul, Turkey, 34400

City landmarks

Museum

Hagia Sophia Museum

790 m

Mosque

Blue Mosque

1.2 km

Alemdar Mahallesi

Basilica Cistern

700 m

Square

Sultanahmet District

1.1 km

Mosque

Suleymaniye Mosque

1.5 km

Museum

Topkapi Palace

1.1 km

Museum

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

700 m

Cankurtaran Mahallesi Ayasofya Meydani No:2 Fatih

Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami

700 m

Bridge

Galata Bridge

1.1 km

Historic Areas of Istanbul

830 m

Binbirdirek Mah. Divanyolu Cad. No:84 Sultanahmet

TGC Press Media Museum

790 m

Mosque

Little Hagia Sophia

1.5 km

Monument

Serpent Column

1.1 km

Prof. Kazim Ismail Gurkan Cad. No: 24 Eminonu

Cagaloglu Hamami

620 m

Torun Sok.

Mosaic Museum

1.2 km

Mosque

Sokollu Mehmet Pasa Mosque

1.3 km

Museum

Hagia Irene

750 m

Gallery

Dolmabahce Palace

3.4 km

Binbirdirek

Walled Obelisk

1.1 km

Mosque

Rustem Pasha Mosque

1.1 km

Divan Yolu Caddesi

Column of Constantine

1.1 km

Gallery

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

2.3 km

Square

Beyazit Square

1.5 km

Square

Beyazit Tower

1.5 km

Synagogue

Neve Shalom Synagogue

1.8 km

Mosque

Laleli Camii

2.2 km

Nearby

Cankurtaran Mh.

Topkapi Palace harem

510 m

Alemdar Mah. Alemdar Cad. Eminonu/Cagaloglu

Gulhane Park

540 m

Museum

Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam

370 m

Caferiye Sk. Sogukkuyu Cikmazi No:5

Caferaga Madrasa

430 m

Restaurants

Hafiz Mustafa 1864

250 m

Hocapasa Mahallesi

Olive Anatolian Restaurant

130 m

Ebusuud Cad. No:18

Constantine's Ark Gurme Restaurant

100 m

Hoca Pasa Mah. Ibn-i Kemal Cad. No: 13 Fatih,Sirkeci

New Hatay Restaurant

100 m

hocapasa mahallesi.ibn-i kemal caddesi No:8

Roof Mezze 360

50 m

Hoca Pasa Mahallesi

Bistro Chef Restaurant & Cafe

70 m

Hudavendigar Cad. No: 17 Sirkeci

Red River Pub

20 m

Hudavendigar Street No: 28-30/B

Cafe Mese

10 m

Hudavendigar Caddesi No: 27 Sirkeci

Ti Amo Bistro &Cafe

40 m

Saffetipasa Sokak. No:10 Hocapaşa

Neyzade Restaurant

210 m

Taya Hatun Sok. No. 5

Salute Pub & Restaurant

80 m

Ebusuud Cad. Safettipasa Sok. No:6

Sultan's Restaurant

110 m

Torun sokak 19 Sultanahmet Palace Hotel

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

66%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.6/10

Nice

Rooms

7.2

Location

9.2

Service

8.4

Dining

6.8

Emerson

United Kingdom, March 2025

6.6/10

My stay at Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa was quite enjoyable. The location was fantastic, with major attractions like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace just a short walk away. The friendly staff, especially Suleyman, made my experience even better by providing great assistance when I needed it. However, the noise from the nearby trams was a bit disruptive at night, and the cleanliness of the room could have been improved.

Rooms

8.0

The room was reasonably sized, with a double and single bed, and it was comfortable. though it could have been cleaner, as the floors had some dust. The shower had some issues, and the towels could use updating.

Service

9.0

Staff interactions were a highlight. They were friendly and attentive, ready to help with any issues. I received great service from Irfan, which made my stay more pleasant.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is perfect for visiting Istanbul's historical sites. I could easily walk to key attractions like the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. However, the noise from the trams outside was quite noticeable at night.

Dining

7.0

Breakfast offered a good variety of traditional Turkish options. though the dinner options in the half-board plan were a bit disappointing, with limited choices.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had adequate amenities, including a restaurant and room service, but some facilities felt a bit dated and needed maintenance.

Molly

United Kingdom, February 2025

7.4/10

My stay at Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa was a mix of ups and downs. The location was fantastic for exploring major attractions like Hagia Sophia, which I loved. However, I did encounter some noise issues and an overwhelming breakfast area that made for a less satisfying experience.

Rooms

7.0

The family room I stayed in was spacious and clean. It was comfortable enough, though I wished for better sound insulation as the noise from the street could be bothersome.

Service

6.0

I found the reception staff to be friendly and helpful, particularly Irfan, who went out of his way to assist me. However, the night manager's response to my air conditioning issue was not ideal.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was a major highlight. I appreciated how close I was to historical sites and restaurants, making it easy to explore the city on foot.

Dining

5.0

While the breakfast had traditional options, I found the dining area cramped, especially when the hotel was busy. The quality of the meals varied, and at times it felt underwhelming.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel offered decent facilities like housekeeping and a spa. However, I faced some issues with room maintenance that detracted from the overall experience.

Amelia

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.6/10

My stay at the Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa was pretty amazing! The location is just perfect, making it super easy to stroll around and hit major sites like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Plus, the service from the staff was great, especially from Irfan, who really made my stay feel special. However, the room could've used better sound insulation, as I could hear everything happening in the neighboring rooms, which was a bit distracting.

Rooms

8.0

The room was cozy and bright, but the noise from other rooms was noticeable. It would’ve been nice to have better soundproofing. Overall, the ambiance was relaxed and comfy.

Service

10.0

I can't say enough good things about the staff! Irfan, Omar, and Selim were all super helpful and friendly, making the check-in a breeze and offering great tips for exploring the city.

Location

10.0

The location was a game-changer! It was just a 10-minute walk to all the must-see spots and right near public transport. I felt immersed in the vibrant hustle of Istanbul.

Dining

9.0

The hotel restaurant offered great food and the breakfast was pretty diverse. The options were tasty and it definitely kept me fueled for all my sightseeing adventures.

Facilities

9.0

The on-site spa treatments were a highlight for me. I really enjoyed the chance to unwind after a long day of exploring. They offered a range of options that added to my experience.

Reese

United Kingdom, January 2025

6.6/10

I had a mixed experience during my stay at the Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa. While the location was really good, allowing easy access to major attractions like the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, there were notable downsides. The noise level from the street was quite high, especially given the trams running nearby, which made sleep difficult. Additionally, the dining options, particularly for vegetarians, could use more variety, especially during the half-board arrangement. Overall, the friendly staff and cleanliness were highlights of my stay. 😊

Rooms

6.0

The room was a reasonable size but could have used some updates. I had some noise issues despite being on the quieter side of the hotel.

Service

8.0

The staff were notably friendly and eager to help, quickly resolving issues like the elevator malfunction and providing daily water bottles.

Location

9.0

The hotel’s location was prime, close to many landmarks and tram services, making it easy to navigate Istanbul. I loved being near the main attractions.

Dining

6.0

The breakfast buffet had a fair variety, but I found the dinner options during my half-board stay limited, particularly for vegetarians and pescatarians.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities were basic, with room service and on-site dining available, but definitely showed signs of wear and tear.

Nina

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.4/10

My stay at the Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa was quite pleasant, especially due to its really good location in the heart of Istanbul. The attentive staff, particularly Selim, were genuinely helpful and always ready to assist me. However, I found the room to be a bit cramped and the noise from the nearby tram line made it challenging to settle down at times. Overall, the comfort of the hotel and its amenities made it a lovely experience.

Rooms

7.0

While the room was cozy and had a lovely bed, it was quite small, making movement a bit tricky. The noise from the street was noticeable, especially early in the morning.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, with staff like Suleyman at the reception going above and beyond to help with everything I needed, including directions and local recommendations.

Location

9.0

This hotel boasts an very nice location, just a short walk from key attractions like Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, with plenty of dining options all around.

Dining

7.0

Breakfast offered a good variety, with traditional Turkish options, though I wished there were more sweet pastries available. The on-site restaurant provided delicious meals as well.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had adequate facilities, including a spa that I did not try but heard good things about. However, I noticed that my room could use a little maintenance.