We loved staying in this quieter, old neighborhood of Istanbul. The host was so lovely, and in fact was able meet us to help us get acquainted. She also gave us some great advice on what to see in Istanbul. The place was very clean, and equipped with everything you need. It was a short walk to the bus, but one could also walk a short distance to the main tourist area where the Ayasofya and Grand Bazaar are (which we did a few times). The neighborhood itself had several modern and several old coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries, which we found to be excellent, cheap, and much less crowded than the tourist area. All in all, we highly recommend this place as a launching pad for your trip to Istanbul.