The hotel is perfect! Fabulous location, great food, beautifully decorated comfortable rooms and of course the highest level of customer service.

The staff are exceptionally caring, kind and professional. We were unlucky to arrive in Istanbul on 1 May 2024 and all the roads were closed to the city! Our driver was in contact with Sedat at the hotel trying to find a way to get us to the hotel. After hours of driving and trying many possibilities it was apparent that no cars could enter until the end of the day. Sedat came on his bike to meet our driver and kindly took us to his home for a shower and much needed sleep. We were blown away by his generosity! We had landed at 5.30am and the roads didn’t open until 5.30pm, so we were extremely grateful to have a place to rest. It was an unusual day in Istanbul as many locals couldn’t get to work. We will be for ever grateful to Sedat, Sinan, Taha & all of the amazing staff at the beautiful St Sophia Hotel. They went out of their way to make us feel safe and very welcome.

Stayed in May 2024

Amazing hotel and staff, super friendly and helpful Great location

Stayed in May 2024

A few things to consider before booking. You need to inform your private transfer to drop you off at the Zenyep Sultan Hotel. I wish this information was offered on booking. We ended up having to pull our luggage for 500m over cobbled pathways as the driver wasn’t familiar with the area and dropped us off some distance from the hotel, which is in a car-free zone. The other thing to remember is that the hotel is located right next to Hagia Sofia, so you will get a “wake up call” every morning at 5am. The final prayer call is at about 11pm. Finally, the bathroom. Sigh. I hate to say anything negative but the design of the basin and tap isn’t very good. The basin is shallow so water running from the tap inevitably wets the counter every time you use it no matter how careful you are. The shower stall screen door is also not very well sealed so water runs into the bathroom.

The room was small but it had all the amenities we needed. The bed and linen were comfortable and we were treated with genuine warmth and professionalism. The Turkish breakfast that they serve every morning is awesome and the best meal of the day for me.

Stayed in May 2024

The room could have been a little bigger

Location, staff

Stayed in May 2024

The rooms could be more sound proof, as the mosque prayer times start very early in the morning. But that is the case in every hotel in Istanbul. We used earplugs just in case and slept very well

Excellent location, with most tourist attractions and public transport at walking distance Take your time for breakfast, it is not a standard buffet but traditional Turkish breakfast, we even had live music at breakfast on Saturday Beds are very comfortable, and we had a view of the Hagia Sophia even though we did not book a room with a view Staff are extremely friendly and helpful and helped us to get to the airport when we forgot that some streets were closed off for the half marathon

Stayed in April 2024

We had to leave the hotel one day early because of the marathon. This is not the hotel fault. The city centre was to be shut down from 4:30 a.m. We would be trapped if we stayed. We incurred additional cost of 60 Euro staying near the airport for one night. Where is the justice in this? Marathons don't belong into cities. The same in Dublin, we are under a house arrest in our own city.

The location of the hotel is excellent, right in the old city centre. Room was clean and comfortable. Hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was one of the best we had in a long time, very well presented and tasty. It filled us for most of the day, food in the city centre is otherwise too expensive. Very pleasant stay overall. There were some quiet nights for a good sleep, not all noisy, as we expected.

Stayed in April 2024

Breakfast service never seemed organised Needed larger cups in the room for tea

Front office knowledge and helpfulness was superb Location was perfect for the main sights Good food at breakfast

Stayed in April 2024

We expected a newer room, overall it was a bit outdated and also the temperature in the room was costantly too cold. Not enough privacy in the toilet.

Great service, attentive staff. Very good position next to Saint Sophia. The breakfast is ok, a lot of things to try but nothing remarkable. Clean structure.

Stayed in March 2024

The hotel is a bit tired, and the room had some issues. The water was not working in the sink or shower on the morning i was checking out.

The staff and customer service here were exceptional. The breakfast was varied and very nice. Good wifi throughout the building. Location was perfect for sightseeing. Large comfortable room with good bathroom and other facilities. aircon worked well.

Stayed in April 2024

Be aware of the call to prayer

Very helpful staff and our Grand deluxe room 41 had a lovely balcony with view of Hagia Sophia. Turkish breakfast and a good choice of egg options to follow.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

The hotel location is great

Stayed in April 2024

I wish we could stay longer:-)

An amazing location, few minutes from Hagia Sophia, beautiful boutique hotel with friendly people. The breakfast was delicious with live music. The room was so nice, bed very comfortable and the view is wow!!!!

Stayed in April 2024

Hotel Saint Sophia sits in a beautiful spot, at walking distance from all the major attractions in Sultanahmet. The breakfast was excellent and the Team was super attentive . The Team at Reception gave us very useful advice on how to access/use the public transport, which allowed us to make the most of our visit to Istanbul and to venture further. On the day we left, Taha did a great job in making sure that our drive for the airport would reach us on time .

Stayed in April 2024

The staff were simply amazing! And the location could not be beat for access to the main tourist sites. The breakfast was out of this world , healthy , full of exciting options and extremely generous portions! The afternoon tea was such a treat - made us feel like we e we were coming home after long days out!

Stayed in April 2024

Very friendly and helpful staff. Ideal location for visiting tourist sites. All sites easily accessible.

Stayed in April 2024

Power points not fixed very well to walls

Staff were extremely helpful, especially in advising what was possible during the public holidays. Beautiful breakfast. Amazing location for anyone interested in exploring the old city

Stayed in April 2024

Good location just behind the saint sophia. Walking distance to all of the sightseeing points located in the old town.

Stayed in April 2024

The breakfast was wonderful. If they could change the menu a little bit everyday, it would be perfect.

Excellent location, just few steps to the main attractions. The staffs are super friendly.

Stayed in April 2024

There was nothing bad about the hotel.

The staff - especially Taha were very helpful.

Stayed in April 2024

The warm welcome and all the kind support for the whole staff. The central location is great ( in front of the basilica citerne). The cosy place.

Stayed in April 2024

The shops and restaurants around the location are tourist traps and the streets around the hotel are lined with touts. But that’s just the nature of any hotel in the Old City. The early morning call to prayer is really loud but it sort of adds to the ambience of the stay.

Amazing location. Stone’s throw from all the major tourist attractions. Small boutique hotel with very well appointed rooms and amenities. Service was amazing as was the breakfast. One of our bags was lost and the staff bent over backwards to get it retrieved for us

Stayed in March 2024

- The carpet on the floors was a bit worn out. - The baby crib was also somewhat old. However, for the price we paid, and the services we got being in the prime location outweighed these two worn out facilities.

- The Staff, all of whom should be given praise here as they made us feel welcomed and were sweet to our infant. Thanks to Mr. Arda, Mr. Burak, and especially Mr. Ramzan for always being playful with our child and Mr. Sadat for his to-the-point suggestions. All of their staff were very helpful, speedy, and thoughtful. They even gave me a spot in their breakfast area for my alone-time office work late at night without hindrance! - The location: was right next to Hagia Sophia, and perfectly located in the historical part of Istanbul. - The evening tea/ delights were a special add-on to this hotel. It helps you after a day of touring come back and have some Turkish Tea along with biscuits and other confectionary products. - Plenty to eat in the breakfast, with additional add-ons on the table!

Stayed in February 2024

none - all was good

Tasty breakfast with an nice variation, and with special order for omelet, scrambled eggs etc. Friendly and nice staff - when having some challenges with the airport pickup company, Arda & Sedat from the front desk was fast to intervene, discuss and solve the issue with the driver directly / thank you :-)

Stayed in March 2024

Great staff, excellent location!

Stayed in March 2024