Barbaros' place is a delightful mix of the richness of Old Istanbul and modern luxuries: from the Turkish chandelier to the huge flatscreen 3D TV. There's even an automatic Turkish coffee machine (free coffee and water provided) and a bathroom heater. The place is near the Grand Bazaar area, but does take a bit of a hike to get to the bazaar. Barbaros is very friendly and he would always invite us to a cup of tea or beer. One night, he invited us for a drink in his restaurant next door and we were able to enjoy Turkish music with the locals. He had a lot of recommendations in the area. He was also kind enough to arrange for a taxi to the airport. It was a pleasant and relaxing stay at his place.