Our stay with Doruk was phenomenal in every way. From the first email, he was a gracious and accommodating host. Upon arrival, he gave us a walking tour of the neighborhood and we quickly became friends, hanging out repeatedly during our stay. His guidance and recommendations for restaurants, hangout spots, and nightlife made us feel like we were locals instead of foreigners. He was extremely helpful in arranging shuttles, taxis, and restaurant reservations. I strongly recommend that you take his advice! Doruk knows his city and Turkish culture very well.

The apartment was beautiful, spacious, clean, and quiet - exactly as advertised. The neighborhood is perfect for those who would like to experience what it might be like to live in Istanbul. The street had several adorable cafes (we recommend Mavra highly!), small galleries and boutique shops. Within a few minutes walk were many other shops, bars, cafes, and the main promenade and center of social life for much of young Istanbul. All major tourist and historical attractions were less than 30 minutes walk across the Galata bridge - close enough that we never bothered with public transportation, even though the station was a 5 minute walk from our front door. Altogether, our visit to Istanbul was a delightful experience that Doruk turned into an exceptional experience. We can't wait to return!