Turkey 2005

Istanbul

Hotel Empress Zoe

Highly Recommended!

The garden, located in the back of the ancient hammam (bath house) where one typically eats breakfast.

Homepage of the Empress Zoe Hotel

Akbiyik Cad. Adliye Sok. No:10 Sultanahmet, Istanbul/TURKEY
Tel: 90 (212) 518 25 04 - 518 43 60 / Fax: 90 (212) 518 56 99
E-mail: info@emzoe.com / emzoe@superonline.com

Empress Zoe is named a favorite by Frommers, and considered especially considerate of the needs of women travelers. Numerous guest reviews support this as well.

The hotel lived fully up to my expectations, and between the care of the owners, the clean and well appointed rooms, the excellent breakfast (included), the wonderfully helpful and friendly employees, and the convenient location, you can't do much better for your money. It's just a short walk, and I mean short walk, from the main attractions of Istanbul. If you want to range further afield, taxies are not expensive, and for the budget, or exercise minded crowd, walking into town, or using the trolleycars are easy alternatives.

Selcuk

Jimmy's Place

View from the balcony of my room.

Homepage of Jimmy's Place

Artemis Guest House : Jimmy's Place
Ataturk Mah., 1016 Sok., No. 19
35920 Selcuk / Izmir
TURKEY
Phone :
From Inside Turkey: (0232) 892 1982
From Outside Turkey: + 90 (232) 892 1982
E-Mail : enquiries@artemisguesthouse.com

Jimmy's Place is recommended by both Let's Go and Lonely Planet. I found the location ideal for exploring important Greek and Roman archeological sites.

Jimmy's Place was a surprise in many ways. It's a strange combination of Turkish and Westernized culture. TV, forget it, but that's not why you're there anyway. Try to get a room in the front. Mine gave me a great view of the old Ottoman castle, towering over the small town. At night the view turns spectacular, when the old walls are being illuminated (see my Turikish picture page). Get a double room, it's more spaceous and has an a/c option for a small added fee. I did not bother with a/c, being fully acclimatized by the time I got there. The breakfast, not included, is very generous and a typical Turkish breakfast, but with a cereal option there as well. Jimmy and his brother, both interesting and very nice individuals, do their best to make you feel at home. The hotel is conveniently close to the bus terminal and market, we're talking a minute here, and within reasonably short walks from various sights, such as the remainder of an old, stork dominated Roman aquaduct, and of course the ruin of the old acropolis above the town, which contains the tomb of the apostle John and is located just below the closed Ottoman fortress. Just a short car or taxi drive away you find the fabulous ruins of Ephesus, a visit not to be missed.

Would I stay here again?

Absolutely! I would stay here anytime again, and, in fact, plan to do so.

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