I initially booked this place for three months but changed my reservation to one month after I arrived. I told the hosts I wouldn’t write a bad review (and still am not, just an honest review) but I had an unpleasant last few days there so thought it more appropriate to write one.
Summary: If you have limited options, this place is fine. However, if you do have other choices, I don’t recommend as I only recommend places I would stay in again myself.
Pros: a) walking distance to many sites, old town, ferry, Taksim square, etc. b) cute little balcony with small view. c) spacious 1 bedroom layout
Cons: a) not clean or well-maintained: mold on shower curtain, clogged shower drain that wouldn’t clear properly, old sheets/towels. b) in-consistent hot water (didn’t have consistent hot water for a decent shower the last 4 days). c) wifi only works in limited area, in the living room. d) dog barking consistently outside the balcony. e) lots of street noise and lights from outside windows as apartment is on the first floor of a busy tourist street. f) lack of privacy, windows all overlook other buildings or the street, requiring you to keep curtains shut the whole time. g) bed in the bedroom is a single, only big enough for one person, not two. Futon in the living room is inadequate for daily sleeping
I’ve stayed in many Airbnb’s around the world, and the vibe and energy you get when you arrive and are greeted by the host is usually indicative of the experience. Upon arrival I was met with a hamper full of dirty sheets and towels left by the previous guests. I got instructions to clean them myself as the host didn’t have time. I was also met with a refrigerator full of used food from the pervious guest, with the host passing it off as a gesture of kindness for me. I later requested that the dirty sheets and towels be cleaned and returned to me, as it’s not my duty, especially during COVID, to clean and dry the sheets and towels of the previous guests. The host always had a fake smile and jokes and excuses to try and appease me - but the vibe/energy was off. I played along because I had to stay for one month and didn’t have a choice. He said he didn’t worry about that stuff because I was staying there for 3 months and he thought I would just make it my own home (or some similar sentiment). When in reality he just didn’t want to do his job properly until confronted. Upon my departure I requested he get a taxi for me to go to my other apartment and he notified by one hour before checkout that he couldn’t do it and I should order one via an app I never used before. I arranged my own transportation last minute, and still managed to wash all the sheets and towels before I left - leaving the apartment in better shape than I got it.
Conclusion: not recommended