This was an ideal booking for a solo traveler on a serious budget. The location is great, about an 8 minute downhill walk to the tram line that takes one to the major tourist sites, and to the bus routes that take one further affield. Also walking distance to the harbour where one can catch the ferry to the Princes Islands, and other destinations.
Guliz told me about a little bakery around the corner where I bought freshly baked simit every morning for breakfast, and sometimes a roll with lettuce, tomato and soft cheese to take with me for lunch, to beat the high prices in the prime tourist areas. There is also a resonably priced restaurant close by which has traditional Turkish food on the menu, CIHANGIR MANTICISI.
My arrival and departure times were very inconvenient, 7.00am and 4.15am (!) respectively, and I hugely appreciate how accommodating Guliz was about these difficult arrival and departure times. She booked my taxi for me, and also helped me navigate problems I was having using my new phone.
Istanbul is a safe and wonder-ful destination.