I chose Missy’s place after reading lots of reviews on places in Istanbul. The pictures captivated me but my main criteria was I wanted a central yet quiet location and I was not disappointed. The apartment was exactly as pictured and as others have accurately described: clean, comfortable, amazing deck, etc. I particularly liked the ability to use a washing machine after a few weeks of travel. The apartment was quite small and was perfect for one person (me) or a couple but no more.
The apartment is located in the Beyoglu section which is an artsy area full of both modern and traditional cafes and restaurants. The apartment is off the main street so is pretty quiet. Just down the hill is a small Vegan restaurant run by a lovely chatty woman and just up the street is Varuna Gezgin….. which was a very fun place to hang out or have a meal and you can get a menu in English. There are a number of small grocery stores within minutes. Missy’s apartment is about 1/2 way down the hill, literally a few minutes from the main street, Istiklaldel Cd.
Trams and metro are both within a 5 minute short walk up or down hill. I found the best way to get to the old section was to walk down the hill to the Tophane tram stop on the T1 line, To return, I would take the T1 to Karakoy and then take the Tunel Funicular back up the hill (which is the second oldest subway in the world).
A high point was attending a whirling dervish performance at the nearby Galata Mevlevihanesi monastery. Performances are usually held on Sundays at 5:00; go earlier in the day to get your ticket. Unlike other performances in the city, this one is more authentic and a true meditative experience.
Three things made my trip really easier. One was purchasing the Istanbul Museum Pass. Pricey but totally worth it; helps you skip long lines to get tickets; I never waited more than a few minutes anywhere. Another was purchasing the Istanbulkart which made riding the transit systems a breeze; you can get it at the airport and at all metro stops. To top it off, all you have to do is put the card on the reader and put more money into the machine. Finally, a local data card purchased online from Flexiroam made navigation and searching for information easy and much less expensive than using my home provider.
Missy was a great host and I felt very supported by her. She met me upon my arrival and I was impressed by how quick she responded to any questions I had during my stay. She even did some research for me to help me find some local restaurants and she helped arrange a taxi for my return to the airport.
This is a wonderful place and I would not hesitate to stay here again.