Pros;
- Mert the host supplied me with all needed info for a smooth check-in, and also kept in touch during my stay to check if all was ok.
- Location is ideal, 3 minute walk to Taksim square, where you also find the public transport to Sultanahmed. I really liked the Beyoglu area too, nice to just walk around and explore.
- The layout of the apartment is nice, I liked the different rooms. It started to feel like home at some point.
- Kitchen is equipped with everything needed to make a meal.
- Hand soap, washing machine soap, toilet paper, towels, everything is there.
- Nice couch in the living room, perfect for watching some netflix.
- Supermarket in the same street as the apartment.
Cons;
- Biggest con must be the entrance door to the building. The bedroom is directly above it. The door slams shut with quite some force and noise. This happens late at night and early in the morning too when people enter and exit the building. It cost me some precious hours of sleep. But I am a light sleeper, it might be different for you.
- Many things in the apartment shows its age. It didn't bother me too much, but the whole place could do with an overhaul.
- It is an old building, and not noise isolated. The singing neighbor, and another learning to play the trumpet, and a third playing records, it will al be part of the experience. It's a lively area. Most noise stops just before midnight, at night it is silent.
- The temperature for the shower is not stable, it changes from way too hot to way too cold, all while not touching the faucet. Would be good if this can be fixed, since taking a shower became a frustrating experience trying to get the temperature right..
As for food tips in the area, 'Faros restaurant Taksim' is good and great service (not 'Faros Kebab', that restaurant is bad), try the steak on eggplant mousse. They also have nice breakfast, the Menemen is my favourite. It's at the place where the busses from the airport stop.
Another very good restaurant is Galaktion, an Georgian restaurant, best food I had in Istanbul.