Zeynep’s place was great for us for the purpose of our one week stay. This is a serviced apartment building with 2 other units and a beautiful terrace with an amazing view. Our unit was at the top floor. The building manager Mustafa and the caretaker was very helpful and always available during our stay. It’s a 3rd floor walk-up and we really appreciated their help with our heavy luggages.
The apartment has everything you need. If you need anything extra, just text Mustafa, he will take care of it right away.
The area has always been very touristy but in the past it would calm down at night. We were surprised to see & hear lots of loud tourists even after midnight, this time. Being in an upper floor helps with the noise but if you’re a light sleeper, make sure you have earplugs when sleeping. Istanbul is more popular than ever and being steps away from the tourist attractions comes with a trade off. Also, the building is on a steep hill (like most of Istanbul) so if you have any knee issues, you may find it hard to climb those hills after a long day of exploring the city. Otherwise, it’s a perfect location for someone doesn’t want to deal with taxis and traffic. Tram is also 10min walk down the hill & takes you directly to Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar etc.
*Tip for ordering food and groceries: download the app called “getir”. You can get literally anything you want to your doorstep in 25-30min max. Make sure to tip the hardworking couriers around $2 at least.