For visitors from abroad to Istanbul if don't mind a 10-15 minute easy walk to public transportation (or you can use taxis) that will take you down to the ferryboat docks and underground metro in Kadikoy to get to the historic areas on the European side I can't recommend Asil's place enough. It's in a very pleasant neighborhood, with many restaurants and shops, and his apartment overlooks a courtyard area full of trees and even a waterfall in the back garden that was on for a good part of the day - a nice touch. Also, within a 5 minute walk there are two great parks right on the shores of the Bosphorus. Being on the Asian side in a neighborhood like this, gives you a very good taste of daily life in a pleasant part of Istanbul.