Lovely home in fantastic location
Submitted: January 9, 2012
Stayed: August 2011
My friend and I stayed in this apartment for a good week and thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
The room you see in the picture is definitely the highlight of the house, as it is the lightest and brightest of all. We hardly used any other rooms. The room has a small balcony, which is just big enough for two people to share a drink or a small meal, which we did many times.
The downside of the house for us was a) the kitchen, which was dark and had no windows (we didnt spent much time there though) and b) the bathroom/shower, which was very small. Having a shower meant ending up with a flooded bathroom, which was a bit of a shame. A shower curtain might help solve the problem somewhat.
Aydin had warned us before our arrival that the area is noisy, but we didnt have any problems with that - we went to sleep aroun 1 o'clock or earlier most nights. We came to Istanbul during Ramadan, and there were processions of chanting and shouting kids walking through the streets to wake people for morning prayer around 3:30 in the morning - this took some getting used to, but will be unavoidable all over the city during this time of year! ;)
The area the house is in is stunning. There is a rooftop restaurant at the top of the very building. The cafes and restaurants immediately surrounding the apartment were too commercial (and overpriced) for our taste, and we never sat there. But there are many other bars and cafes nearby, especially in the very atmospheric neighbourhood itself with all its small antique shops etc. Young Istanbul-ites frequent the cafes on weekend mornings, which gives the area a very authentic feel. We spent a few days just strolling through the streets and getting lost, which was lovely.
The main shopping/clubbing/live music street is also within easy walking distance (less than 5 minutes). The bars and clubs here are certainly busier, but we found some beautiful places to spend evenings and nights dancing or listening to Turkish live music.
The ferry harbour, from which you can take a boat either to the Asian side or to the Princess Islands, was also walkable - twenty minutes in the morning downhill.
Aydin made us feel very welcome right from the start, and gave us a walking tour of the area on the morning of our arrival. The organisation and communication was fantastic, to the point where we even got picked up from the airport free of charge.
We would both recommend this place, and would happily come back for another week or more.
Owner's Response: Dear Ania, thank you very much for the review. Of course I need to talk about the kitchen and shower. Yes, it's not a big kitchen but it provides everything you need for your holiday also more. But I think this critic is personal. The kitchen has also a window, you can see it on the photos. But it was looking a hole between to building, so it is not very shiny. On the other hand, when they were here, there was a platform on top, so light couldn't get in anyway, now we removed the platform so, you will have day light in the kitchen. That was a really down side before I should honestly say, but now it's changed. The shower thing. Yes, this is also true, it is small. It's a historical building, over 120 years old. When they built the building, the hamams, Turkish Baths were working everywhere, people were going to hamams for taking bath. Actually, there are still 3 of them working in the neighborhood. BUt it's not the issue, probably we will make some changing of course, but not this year. On the other hand, this month or next we will make some improvements in the bathroom, so it will be much comfortable to take shower.
In Ramadan, muslims wake up in the middle of the night for Sahur, it's early breakfast for the day ahead. Because they are not allowed to eat until the sun set. To prevent themselves from hunger they eat before the first pray at sunrise. To make people awaken, the drummers walk on the street and read some quatrains loud. :) That is funny actually, but it's completely understandable if you think this weird. On the other hand this is a tradition you can meet everywhere in Istanbul during Ramadan. :)
After those explanations, I thank you very much again for your kind words and lovely review. We are looking forward to meeting you in the future.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No