If you are visiting Istanbul and don't stay with Basma, you are missing something special. Her home is simple, but very clean and comfortable. For us, it was in a perfect location - a very short walk to the Haseki Tramway which will get you to great attractions in Istanbul.

Her home is just far enough away from all the touristy areas that you get a more local feel (and therefore cheaper), but is a short ride away from the main attractions. The first day we even walked it (20-30 mins to the Sultanahmet).

Basma is fantastic. We enjoyed her delicious home cooking, great conversation, good stories and of course she had wonderful recommendations. She let us use her Istanbulkart for the public trans and just load however much we wanted on to the card to get around (very simple and extensive system).

We hope to come back to Istanbul and if we do, we are definitely staying with Basma.