Short and to the point: this place is exactly how described and pictures.

Long story, this place and Hikmet were perfect. Hikmet was able to set up a shuttle for us which picked us up at IST on time, and brought us to the place. As we wound through the streets of Istanbul, we were worried that tucked into a corner was our place. Up winding tight stairs we were still wondering if we made a bad choice. Finally, to the rooms:: clean and big (not just by European Standards) with an amazing view of a "ordinary" mosque. Hearing the calls to prayer, though loud, were beautiful and unique (to very average Americans) The residence was extremely close to Sultanahmet Square where the vast majority of the sites are.

All in all, the rooms we're perfect, but the extremely friendliness of Hikmet (and his wife?) set the stage for Istanbul. If one phrase or sentence can give credence to how amazing he was, his place was, and Istanbul in general would be: I could not think of a better place to get engaged.