Staying with Esen was absolutely wonderful. In short, I highly recommend anyone looking for a convenient and comfortable location with a truly gracious host to stay with Esen in Nisantasi. My girlfriend and I stayed for three nights.

As for Esen, his experiences living and staying abroad in other countries certainly seem to have informed the way he treats his guests. To start, the instructions to the apartment were easy to follow (with multiple routes and options: metro, taxi, shuttle). The door was simply open when I arrived, an apt metaphor for the generous welcome Esen makes you feel while you stay with him. He is also a tremendous resource to tap into when trying to discover the city (he even provided a metro card and map). And lovely were the Turkish style breakfasts (and once, late night eggs!). But foremost, if and when you stay with Esen, you immediately feel like friends.

And finally, the flat itself is really great. Well-furnished but not overwhelming, it is also tidy and clean. The location is also superb, you are close to transport to all of Istanbul and in walking proximity to Taksim. Nisantasi itself is a really great neighborhood, as some people have mentioned, the 'SOHO' of Istanbul. But because the flat is on a smaller side street it also feels like you are returning home after your excursions during the day or night.

Travelers need look no further, stay with Esen!