The Ayasofya Hotel was a wooden edifice built in the 19th century as a private home. In 1980 it was derelict and was rebuilt in its original Ottoman style. It was opened as an hotel in July 1990 and since then has offered traditional Turkish hospitality for guests from all over the world. The hotel is centrally located in the Old City, only a few minutes walk from the Blue Mosque, St.Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome and the other tourist attractions. There is easy access to the hotel from Istanbul International Airport (18 km away) the main railway station ( 3 km) and the urban tram (2 blocks away). Along with the treasure of the past and the charm of an old Ottoman house Ayasofya Hotel also offers the vital amenities of the modern world.