What matters most for me in an accommodation is that things work, that you and your belongings are safe, and that you feel comfortable and at home. This describes my experience in this apartment exactly. It was a pleasant and relaxing place to return to after a day's touring the sights of Istanbul or a night out on the town. The beds and fold-out couches were very comfortable, the water pressure in the shower was excellent, the kitchen was well equipped, and the entire flat was super clean. And, yes, everything worked – perfectly! It was obvious that the flat and its contents were vigilantly looked after and constantly maintained.
True the flat is on a ground floor, and consequently gets little daylight, but that made little difference to me since I was out every day exploring this exciting city. In this regard the flat is very conveniently located – a five-minute walk to the bustling Istiklal avenue and its thousands of galleries, shops and restaurants, and another five-minute walk to the busses, metro or trams that take you to the ferries and all quarters of the city. At the same time, the flat is away from all the crowds and noise of Istiklal and other touristic spots, and therefore quiet at night. Moreover, one feels that one is in a thoroughly Turkish neighbourhood: children playing football in the street, friendly and helpful people in the local shops, the sounds of dice on the backgammon boards coming from local coffeehouses, and small neighbourhood markets where one can easily stock up on provisions.
But Erdal's flat offered something more, which is the kindness and helpfulness of Erdal and her family. If ever a problem had arisen (although none had) I knew I could easily contact Erdal and that she or one of her family members would tend to it immediately. I was there during the Bayram holiday, and I was particularly touched when her daughter and son-in-law dropped by to offer holiday greetings. I hope to return to Istanbul soon and when I do I will have no hesitation whatsoever in booking this flat again. Erdal'a ve ailesine çok teşekkür ederim!