ISTANBUL

We had a wonderful stay at the Bagdat Apt in the Kadikoy neighborhood of Istanbul with our hostess Pelin. She is fluent in English, French and of course Turkish and made our stay much more enriching than staying in a hotel. Pelin was very helpful, from getting us information on public transportation; recommending places to visit, and even helping us plan our next trip to Cappadocia. On the day we arrived, she had some food and drink along with some Karpuz “watermelon” in the refrigerator awaiting our visit. We enjoyed her company so much; she even spent a day with us touring the sites from a local’s perspective. The apartment is 5 blocks from a very trendy street filled with places to eat, drink and shop. It is a 4th floor walk up and there is no A/C in the unit, but a fan is provided for the bedroom, which does the job. There is a concierge available within the building to shop for you (groceries or take-out) at no additional charge and he delivers to the apartment on a daily basis. The apartment has a balcony, a living room and another lovely sitting room for relaxation. The apartment is well appointed and very clean. Our bedroom was spacious and clean, with a large closet. A TV and DVD player in the living room is available for watching movies. There is also a full kitchen and washing machine to use as well. Getting to the Sultanamet area of Istanbul takes about an hour via Dolmus and ferry but it’s all part of the experience and a nice ride. Highly recommend this apartment for its quality, hospitality and value. We’ll be back. Joe & Marcie Cabral