I will describe the area, the apartment, and our experience, which started out horrible but ended nicely.

Arriving at the apartment was easy by taxi from the airport. In addition, the metro station is a 5 minute walk and it is a nice walk in a modern neighborhood.

The apartment is on the 2nd floor of a building, a number of different units in the building are available for rental. Long apartment, with bathroom, bedroom, living room, small office and balcony. Everything is in good condition.

When we arrived the apartment the host insisted on a $15 cash late check-in fee, I did not see this listed anywhere and found it strange. It was 3 AM when we got there, hence I avoided arguing. The apartment smelled like cigarettes, hence we opened all the windows and went to sleep. When we woke up at 7 AM, my phone/wallet/laptop were gone. After searching everywhere, we spoke to the host, and they have security cameras. The camera shows two guys walking through the alley, then climbing into our open window through the balcony and robbing the place while we were sleeping! Apparently it happens all the time in Istanbul, not just in this neighborhood but in other neighborhoods as well (happened to a friend in Cihangir the next day). Leaving your window open on a 1st/2nd floor apartment is apparently just like leaving the front door open or the keys in your car, an invitation for criminals. I had no idea, but now the wiser.

Out of concern for our safety and well being, the host was exceptional in helping us out after that. He moved us to the top floor of the building (they have multiple rental units in the building), and drove us to the police station to file a report. Even did all the talking with Turkish police for us.

Robbery aside, I would not go back to this specific unit (3rd floor or higher for me in the future), but would definitely consider staying with the host in the other apartments on higher floors.

Economical and spacious, however you need to keep all the windows locked at night.