We were fortunate to find both an ideal host and an ideal apartment from which to explore Istanbul.
The apartment was a perfect pad for my 7-year old son and I once we spontaneously decided to turn a missed flight into a 3-day Istanbul adventure. The neighborhood is charming, with its hilly, cobblestone streets and countless cats, and the area is quiet while still being an easy walk to shops and restaurants.
The apartment is comfortably and delightfully quirky, with bright colors and a fun flair. The bathroom and kitchenette were great (I didn't do any cooking... why would I want to cook in Istanbul? ; )... but I did take advantage of the small washing machine to do a small load of laundry. The apartment has good attention to detail, with some features which are often missing even in high-end accommodation (e.g., key/coat rack, good shaded window blinds, a comfortable work desk, plentiful dish soap and other kitchen essentials). Internet connection was strong and reliable.
Emre was extremely helpful. Though we never met in person, he gave us perfect check-in instructions, checked in with us to make sure everything was OK, and also gave us local's advice on how to navigate the public transport back to the airport on a public holiday, all in impeccable English.
If you're considering staying here, do it - you won't regret it!