Chiko takes hospitality to another level. His place, on a quiet street in one of Istanbul's best neighborhoods, Galata, is clean, comfortable, spacious, bright and perfect for a couple, a family or a group of friends. It's about a 5-minute walk from Galata Tower, within minutes of some of the city's best restaurants and liveliest enclaves. Despite this, the area still feels dominated by locals so you get a good flavor of the real city.
It was a terrific place to stay and definitely value for money, but what really made it stand out was the hospitality of our hosts. Chiko and his friend Akif were warm, engaging people who helped us out with everything from our luggage to dinner reservations. They embraced us as friends and we spent fond hours just chilling with them and having chai in the local cafes. They were experienced hosts and very responsive, but they also became friends. I'd stay with them again in a heartbeat.