Hickmet’s place was a gem. Clean and neat with everything we needed to cook a meal and prepare breakfast, a good hot shower and comfortable beds (I was on the sofa bed and I was very comfortable!)
It’s only 10-15 minutes walk from the main sights so we barely spent anything on public transport. The area was very safe- I felt perfectly comfortable walking home after dark as a woman alone with 2 children. It’s a shoe-making area so actually it’s really fascinating- it feels very ‘local’ and authentic.
Hikmet was a wonderful host- quick to respond, gracious when we met with him. He arranged airport transfers (at additional cost but it was great for my piece of mind arriving in the early hours) and an early check-in (at no extra cost). He also invited us for a traditional Turkish breakfast for us on morning which was delicious!
If we return to Istanbul (which we certainly hope to) I hope we will be able to stay with Hikmet again! Thank you Hikmet!