Main take away: Fatih is a really great host. The apartment is in an amazing area--definitely stay here!
Fatih emailed us couple of days before our trip and asked us details. He arranged for a ride from the airport and we got in really comfortably on a rainy evening and he welcomed us to the apartment and directed us to what our jetlagged bodies wanted the most--good food around the corner. Upon request he also sent us a list of restaurant suggestions.
I studied abroad in Istanbul 6 years ago and I stayed in Beyoglu area but on the other side of Taksim. The Galata Tower area where this apartment is located is one of the best areas to stay in Istanbul if you are there for a week or less than a week because it cuts down travel time to museums and mosques (You can walk to Istanbul Modern from the apartment!!!). Istiklal Caddesi, a very vibrant, lively area with nightlife is a 5 minute walk but the neighborhood around the apartment is really quiet all hours of the day. Just stepping out of the apartment and walking down the cobble paved street is a treat because it is so scenic and beautiful.
This apartment is perfect for two people. Because we had a lot of luggage and needed taxi service to go back to the airport Fatih arranged a taxi for us which was very helpful because we didn't have phone access there. Fatih exudes trustworthiness and reliability and he made our stay in Istanbul really comfortable.