Hande's apartment has been our favorite place to stay in Istanbul. First and foremost, the cat : Berlin is sweet and lovely, cute without being intrusive, she really loves it when you let her drink water from the tap or from a glass like a proper lady, and comes snuggle with you in the morning. If you have a cat at home, it's a great way to not miss him or her too much while travelling. But Hande's place has a lot more to offer. It is a real place where real people live, with quirky decorations, old pictures, icons, barbies and a crucifix. It has a soul, unlike 95% of Airbnb offerings in Istanbul or any other big city. It is neither too smal not too big, kitchen is practical and beds are comfortable. You can see the Bosphorus from the window, hear the ships, the seagulls, and the music from the Aygaz van around noon, but the nearest muezzin isn't too loud (important if you are a light sleeper) and the neighborhood is as quiet as Istanbul can get. It is 5 minutes on foot from Taksim, from where you can reach every part of the megapolis and the airports by public transport. The other way, you can stumble down steep streets and stairs to the seaside and the ferries. And the third way, you can just lose yourself in the maze of Cinhangir alleys, find lost playing cards and forgotten bookshops. Istanbul lovers will not regret staying there!