Twin Room
- 2 Single beds
- Air conditioning
Hotel · Istanbul · Istanbul Province
Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa
A 4-star stay in the Old City, a short walk from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, with a spa and warm service.
- 9-minute walk to Istanbul Archaeology Museums
- Spa & wellness centre with Turkish bath and sauna
- 24-hour reception and paid airport shuttle
8.8
Great
2206 reviews
Booking.com 8.8 · 2206 reviews
About
Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa
Best Western Empire Palace Hotel & Spa sits in the Old City Sultanahmet district, putting you within easy reach of Istanbul's most iconic sights. The hotel blends Ottoman-inspired decor with practical comforts — soundproofed rooms, air conditioning, and a range of amenities designed for both sightseers and business travellers.
Beyond the rooms, the property offers a full spa experience with a Turkish bath, sauna, and massage services, plus a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. Staff are repeatedly praised for their attentiveness, and the 24-hour reception, express check-in/out, and currency exchange make arrivals and departures straightforward.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Express check-in/ -out
In brief
What works, what to weigh
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Strengths
4 reasons to book- Prime Old City location — A 9-minute walk from Istanbul Archaeology Museums and 14 minutes from Rustem Pasha Mosque, with easy access to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
- Attentive, praised staff — Guests repeatedly mention friendly and helpful team members, including specific names like Suleyman and Selem.
- Full spa and wellness facilities — Turkish bath, sauna, massage, and a spa centre on site for post-sightseeing relaxation.
- Comfortable, quiet rooms — Soundproofed rooms with air conditioning, mini-bar, and tea/coffee facilities, plus good housekeeping noted in reviews.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Expect a comfortable hotel, not a palace — Despite the name, rooms are described as basic and functional rather than luxurious.
- Potential street noise — One guest noted the hotel can be a little loud, though not disturbing — central location trade-off.
- Simple breakfast — Breakfast is described as 'very simple' by one guest, though still appreciated.
- Dining rating is lower — Dining category scores 6 out of 10, suggesting room for improvement in the restaurant offerings.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Triple Room
- 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed
- Air conditioning
Double Room
- 1 Double bed
- Air conditioning
Family Room
- 2 Single beds
- Air conditioning
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- Lift
- No smoking on site
- Key card access
- Currency exchange
- Luggage storage
- Locker room
Food & Drink
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Coffee shop
- Room service
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
- Children's buffet
- Welcome drink
- Happy hour
Wellness & Leisure
- Spa & wellness centre
- Sauna
- Turkish bath
- Massage
- Public Bath
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Mini-bar
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Ironing facilities
- Bathroom telephone
- Direct dial telephone
- AM/FM alarm clock
Services
- Paid airport shuttle
- Car hire
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Grocery shopping service
- Shops/Commercial services
- Fax/Photocopying
- Housekeeping
Safety & Security
- Security
- Smoke detectors
- Safe deposit box
Accessibility & Children
- Cots
- Allergy-free rooms
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.8/10 from 2,206 reviews
Booking.com · 8.8 · 2206 reviews
8.8Verified guest“The central location allows easy walks to major sights like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Staff, particularly Mr Selem, are attentive, cute environment.”
8.8Verified guest“Fantastic very central location really close to tram station, marmaray and sightseeing palaces. Cafe Blu Kitchen located 1 km away was a nice surprise.”
8.8Verified guest“I stayed in soundproof, decent sized room with good amenities, big shower cabin, large wc. There was good choice of great meals.”
8.8Verified guest“Appreciated the well-equipped room with good comfortable mattresses and the way it was setup.”
8.8Verified guest“Functional rooms with breakfast!”
8.8Verified guest“Very centrally located hotel. A little loud but not disturbing. Price indication is good. The staff is very friendly, especially Sueleyman.”
04 — Location
Getting around Istanbul
The property sits in Istanbul.
Old City Sultanahmet: The hotel sits in the heart of the Old City, within walking distance of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Tram and Marmaray stations are close by for venturing further.
Nearby sights: Istanbul Archaeology Museums are a 9-minute walk, and the Rustem Pasha Mosque is a 14-minute stroll. The hotel makes it easy to explore on foot.
Hocapasa Mah. Hudavenigar Cad. 17/19, Istanbul, Istanbul Province, 34400, Türkiye
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 14:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Allowed
- Property
- 30 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 14:00 until 23:59, and check-out is until 11:00.
Is breakfast included in the room rate?
Breakfast is offered, and guest reviews describe it as simple but good. Whether it's included in your rate may vary by booking.
Are pets allowed at the hotel?
Yes, pets are allowed on site.
Is there an airport shuttle service?
Yes, the hotel offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Does the hotel have a spa?
Yes, there is a spa and wellness centre with a Turkish bath, sauna, and massage services.
What is the closest tram stop?
The hotel is close to a tram station, making it easy to reach other parts of Istanbul. The exact stop is not specified.
The bottom line
A well-located Sultanahmet hotel with solid comfort and a spa, best for travellers who prioritise sightseeing access over luxury.
8.8Based on 2206 guest reviews
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