Overall, disappointing experience, not in line with the description of the flat. Not very expensive, so it could remain an option for those with limited budget yet still looking for large square footage, but travelers with high standards should consider other options.
NB: The flat we got was not the one that is listed here and we were relocated to another one in the same building. Still, we believe most of the statements below would apply to this apartment as well.
We liked:
- Mehmet is a really nice host. He kindly welcomed us himself, and was very reactive before and during our stay. He understood we were unpleased with te flat (see below) and offered small retribution (free breakfast at local hotel, free ride to the airport)
- The flat is really close to key touristic places (15-20 min walk to blue mosque, aya sophia, bazaar, topkapi palace...). Although it should be noted for people in poor physical shape / with disabilities that it is located at the bottom of a very steep slope
- For those interested, daily clean-up of the flat is available free of charge - just think to ask Mehmet not to do it if you don't want it, as for us it came as a surprise that the flat had been visited on our first day out
We disliked:
- The flat we had booked (this one) was not available when we arrived, and we were not warned in advance (not even the day before). We ended up with a smaller flat (smaller bedroom, no kitchen)
- Difficult to say with certainty, but assuming all flats in the building are in similar conditions, the actual apartment does not live up to the pictures. There is virtually no window in the bedroom (size of a sheet if paper, directly facing a tall building literally 15 cm across) and hence no natural light. Electrical appliances are borderline hazardous (some sockets not well protected in the wall). Bathroom was clearly renovated not so long ago, but already in a bad shape...
- Overall environment is not very enjoyable. Unpleasant smell in the flat, noises of other tenants (e.g., we could hear the noise of showers from other flats, often very early in the morning or very late at night)
- Although close to many spots of interest, the neighborhood of the building is not very pleasant