It would sound silly if every other word in my review were a superlative, but everything about our experience was top-notch. Melis met us at the apartment when we arrived, and provided snacks, water, and candy bars. Then she led us on a short tour of the charming neighborhood. When we realized we should get going right away for a Bosporus boat ride, she even let us borrow her own transit card to save time, instead of going back to the apartment to grab the one there. She had suggestions for restaurants and places to visit as we toured Istanbul.

The apartment itself is lovely. It was just right for our family of 4 -- having 2 bathrooms is a huge plus. Everything is new, looks great, and works perfectly. The pictures in the listing are exactly what you'll see.

The neighborhood, near Galata tower, is full of winding (and hilly!) streets. There were plenty of places nearby for dining and coffee (including one of each just down the block), and a little supermarket 3 blocks away. I wish we'd had more time to spend exploring the area. The tram was only a few minutes walk and it's only 30 minutes on foot to the major tourist area.

If we're ever back in Istanbul, I'd want to stay here again.