I am very glad I stayed at Dama's House. It's perfectly located in the city's cultural center with easy access to transit. There's a good (but expensive) private gym nearby on Hoca Ali Sokagi (NOA Gym) and lots of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Ali was an excellent and friendly host, very responsible even despite surviving a bad car accident while I was there. He was understanding when I had to leave Istanbul early and refunded the extra rent I'd paid.

Really the only reason I gave my stay 4 instead of 5 stars is that there is (as of summer 2013) construction going on in the buildings next door and across the street. From about 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday there were very loud power tools being operated so I couldn't comfortably stay home to work or nap--which may have been a good thing as it forced me to see more of the town.