Stellar is both word and verdict! What a find on Airbnb after some not-so-professional pre-booking experiences with a couple of apartment owners. Mehmet Sukru's strategically located flat in the beating heart of Istiklal Cadessi ticks the boxes on every conceivable front! Here is a rental which does Airbnb justifiably proud! For the price one pays and the plentiful amenities one gets in return, the deal quite simply put is unbeatable. Mehmet is warmth and good cheer personified, not governed in the least bit by the dictates of the Science of Bread and Butter- a rarity nowadays in the genre of the hospitality industry. We met and parted with the camaraderie one would associate with time-tested friends. He was in touch with me right from the time my Turkish Airlines flight from Bodrum touched Istanbul, waiting patiently for my arrival at the designated venue and taking care of practically every piece of luggage I had on me, lugging the same all the way upto the 4th floor of the building which happened to be positioned on one of the atmospheric side streets of the celebrated Istiklal Avenue! The painstakingly appointed apartment gave one the feeling of 'home' from word go! Neither pictures nor description render adequate justice to the same! The air-conditioned living room is spacious with comfortable sofa sets, cushions and rugs along with a huge Plasma TV and DVD player. Plenty of tasteful coffee tables laden with reading material and two lamps further enhance the space. The sleeping chamber served well for a single traveller such as yours truly and would probably suffice for a couple as well. A comfortable double bed ensured sound sleep and the wardrobe to the left, small as it was also served its purpose. The star-of-the-show however proved to be the kitchen! Permit me to reel off! A generously sized refrigerator along with a deep freezer; a microwave oven ; a cooking range, washing machine and electric kettle with an excellent selection of crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils; two fully functional irons with an accompanying board and a handy umbrella tucked away as well and yes tissue rolls a plenty! The clean bathing area also delivered the goods, with a shower stall, toilet, wash- basin and a half sized glass door cabinet complete with cotton buds, tooth paste and brush, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Oh yes, there was a vacuum cleaner as well! Take a bow, Mehmet! All of this for the more-than-reasonable price quoted by you! I would reclaim your place in a heartbeat, if opportunity were to so conspire! Thank you, my friend! It was a memorable duration in a city I have quite simply come to love! Istanbul Forever!