It was our first trip with Airbnb apartment and we enjoyed it. The strategy was to save some money on apartment rent while leaving more budget for sightseeing and presents.
My wife, our 4-year old daughter and myself had a great time at the apartment which is well worth its price.
The house is well-kept and clean. We always had enough hot water. Internet connection via Wi-Fi turned out to be quite problematic, hence we advised the host to improve it.
The host installed mosquito net on windows (as there us no air conditioner, they are always open) without additional requests. He offered local maps and was always willing to help.
The house was occupied by four families, but we never noticed their presence. Our neighbors living at another leased apartment turned out to become out best friends for the trip. A local smart kitten kept our daughter busy and entertained.
Huzurevi metro station is the most convenient entry point to the public transportation network and is within 7 minute walk from the apartment. A trip to European side took us ~1 hour on way (metro + ferry). Parallel street Feyzullah Cd contains many small shops with affordable prices. We never regretting choosing Asian part of the city for our stay. Even late evening walks were safe and peaceful.
Anyone considering renting the apartment should match the fee with his/her expectations to prevent misunderstanding. If you are looking for basic comfort aiming to spend most of the time in the city the apartment is a good choice especially for 2-3 people. However, if you target luxury or are allergic to cats, dust or mold, I would recommend to look at other options.