Basma was an amazing host. She goes above and beyond! First of all, the directions to her house were spot on, and prior to the trip she made sure to make contact with me several times before arrival. Also, she helped me contact a shuttle company when we needed to get an early morning flight, which she really didn't need to do, but she was a lifesaver! She greeted us with tea and cake, and made us feel like old friends rather than tenants. The area is local and has a nice feel to it, with great recommendations from Basma for where to get breakfast. From her apartment, it's very easy to access the airport and Sultanahmet. She also on the first night gave us a map and explained the must-sees of Istanbul and how to get there! Her home is warm and inviting, and we got the treat of staying with some other very kind and interesting guests. We had dinner on the last night of our stay- definitely a must do! She is a fabulous cook and hostess and the dinner was a highlight of our trip to Istanbul- such great company and good laughs.