My stay at Selin’s home was delightful. I spend around three weeks at her house in Etiler and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I was enrolled in a language program nearby and needed a peaceful and orderly place to work while also being able to enjoy daily life in Istanbul — Selin’s apartment offered precisely that and much more. The house is very well equiped; located in an up-scale neighbourhood with amenities, bars and restaurants nearby; receives a lot of natural daylight; and it is kept neat at all times. The appartment is also very close from the lovely neighbourhood of Bebek, whose seaside promenade is an absolute gem, and which tourists who are based elsewhere will (unrightly) miss out on. Additionally I very much enjoyed the proximity to public transportation, especially the nearby metro stop (Nispetiye Station) and the gorgeous Sanatçılar Park. Adding to this, Selin is an excellent host who makes you feel at home right away and helped me out on numerous occassions: she found me a laptop repair shop; introduced me to a Turkish tutor; assisted me with finding train tickets to Ankara; and introduced me to a lovely friend of hers — she even prepared me my favorite salat! I wholeheartedly recommend you to stay with Selin in Etiler, especially if you like being removed from the hustle and bustle of the touristy epicenter of Taksim/Istiklal Cd while yet being connected to it through public transportation. Enjoy!