This home (which looks better than the pictures) made for an absolutely wonderful holiday with my mom. Its neighborhood (which even after a few trips to Turkey I had never heard of) was upscale, unique (no place quite like Emirgan Park anywhere in Istanbul), peaceful, and of course surrounded by fantastic views of the Bosphorus. Simon truly thought of everything one could need--whether lounging around on the crazy comfy sofa, enjoying a meal at the unique dining setup, or taking in more of the gorgeous landscape from a swinging chair in the garden. As a host, Simon was the epitome of hospitality. Instead of delegating or just leaving house instructions on the table, he actively took an interest in ensuring my mom and I not only had every need met, but also used his knowledge of Istanbul to make awesome suggestions/write a great guidebook. Also, his Chief of Staff Ayse was an absolute gem, always putting in extra care to ensure the house was spotless/I had meals when not feeling well.