Pelin is the perfect host, always quick to respond, if there is something she doesn't know, she'll find out. She is friendly, easy going and just very helpful, it was a pleasure being her guest.

The apartment is very nice, just like it shows in the pictures. It has a nice homely feeling without being cluttered with the owner's stuff everywhere. The kitchen has everything conceivable for serious cooking.

I had not stayed on the Asian side before and found it in many ways nicer than the European side, the shopping on Bagdat Avenue is fantastic, it is not as crowded as the European side, people are friendlier and the pace is slower. Bagdat Avenue is only 10 mins walk away. If you catch one of the shuttlebuses that run every minute you'll be at the Kadikoy fast ferry port in ten minutes and the main tourist attractions on the European side are a short boatride away with departures every 15 minutes.

Whatever your reason for visiting Istanbul, I think you will be very happy at Pelin's place, I highly recommend it.