We have been coming to Taksim more times than we can count in one hand, so this review comes from a long experience with Airbnb and hotels around Istiklal street.
I will start a with the cons first as there’s really just a teeny list of minor inconveniences by comparison to the overall value:
- The stairs (2 flights) are steep if you are carrying luggage.
- While the location is convenient and relatively close to the Havaist and Havabus (airport shuttle buses) terminals, it is quite a hike if you’re lugging so much baggage as we did. So just plan accordingly is all.
- The kitchen could use a few more on-the-go dishes.
- additional trash bags and rolls of toilet paper should be readily accessible instead of having to request them.
Now the pros!!!
- The bed!!! Super comfortable memory foam mattress!
- The internet speed!! For business travelers, do not hesitate! I taught my classes on zoom without a hitch. The upload speed was 89mbps!! My son was able to finish his schoolwork on time as well.
- Not one but TWO separate work desks!
- Though technically a 1+1, it does offer a lot of privacy by comparison to most other places. It’s almost as if you have two separate bedrooms.
- The place is super clean!!! Crisp bed linens, clean floors and corners, no smell, mold or cigarette smoke riddled furniture. The cleaning lady is very helpful and anything you request is delivered in a timely manner.
- Location!! Within a very short distance to Istiklal street and Taksim square metro, it’s still VERY calm and quiet! I’ve stayed at places where drunken tourists kept us up singing karaoke every single night, but not here, nossir!
- And then there’s the host!!! Ilkem is simply the BEST, hands down!! He accommodates requests for early check and late checkout whenever he can, he was very responsive, even gave directions to our taxi drivers and helped with our broken luggage!! He can recommend decent places for food as well. Additionally and this is something both my son and I agree on, he looks like a splitting image of Daniel Radcliffe. It looks as if Daniel got tired of the Harry Potter movies and moved to Taksim square in Istanbul hahahahaha.
He was kind, understanding and funny! Super helpful and very accommodating!
We are never staying anywhere else in Istanbul ever again!
Thank you, Ilkem!!