I traveled with a group of 10 and this place had more than enough space for us! Emre is a fantastic host! Very quick to respond and very informative. Now, this place is a hostel, but before you skip over this little gem because the word “hostel” turns you off. Here me out.
First of all, this location is unbeatable! A quick 10 minute walk and you’re at the blue mosque, and next door to that is the Hagia Sofia. That cute Seven Hills restaurant with the terrace famous for the backdrop of the mosque is only a 7 minute walk. The Grand Bazaar is a more lengthy 40 minute walk, but it’s like walking in NYC. There’s so much stuff in between the air bnb to there that you won’t even realize how long you’ve been walking. You could opt for an 11 minute drive to the bazaar but the roads are tight and narrow and there’s a lot of people walking. So you’d be better off walking. There are plenty of little shops, markets, restaurants, and rooftops along the way. Being a group of 10, it was super convenient to be able to walk to so many things as opposed to find and pay for taxis all the time. Plus, it’s more fun to learn about the city by simply walking around.
This air bnb is good for groups, but definitely caters to a younger crowd. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you were on a show like Jersey Shore or Real World, stay at this house. It definitely gives sleep-away camp vibes. Would I stay here with my family? No. But with 9 of my best friends? Absolutely.
I’ve stayed in hostels before and this place is more of a townhouse feel because of the layout. The bottom floor is the common area/kitchen. It’s designed more as a little cafe as opposed to a traditional living room. 4 little cafe tables, 1 slightly bigger table that could seat about 4-6, 1 loveseat couch, and a little coffee table. Be prepared for LOTS of stairs. 4 levels. 7 rooms total. Can sleep a total of 21 people. Each room has its own full bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower). All the toilets flush well and the showers had good water pressure. Only room #2 lost hot water one of the days, but the others were fine. Each room has multiple beds which range from combinations of bunk beds, twin beds, and queen beds. 3 balconies attached to different rooms. They are on the smaller side, but enough for a quick smoke break or to take a call. The top top balcony has the best view. It overlooks the water. This is a historic house. So expect it to look a little older. The floors creak here and there. The wifi will slow down if there’s too many people using it at once. Some doors need an extra tug or two to make sure it’s completely closed and locked. However, Emre has done a decent job of updating the bathrooms and everything was in good working condition. Don’t expect new stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. We didn’t cook during our stay but the kitchen has what you need if you need it. It’s a bit cramped because there’s a desk/work area. Also, it’s worth mentioning that it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to go into the kitchen from the common area because Emre installed a bar/island counter. It’s manageable, but if you’re of size or need extra assistance to move around, it’s something to be mindful of. There is a laundry room in the back available for use. The dryer didn’t completely dry our clothes but you can hang dry it on the railings in the house. Emre supplies the laundry detergent and any other cleaning supplies. Speaking of supplies, there were plenty of towels, toilet paper, mini shampoos, and soap. Packaged slippers were also available for our use and comfort.
Even though we had the whole place to ourselves, Emre told us that he and his housekeepers may come by the house to feed his cat and do some laundry/light cleaning. My friends and I enjoyed the cat’s company, but if you’re not cool with cats, maybe talk to Emre about it to see if there’s a way he can accommodate you. Otherwise, look elsewhere. The cat stays downstairs in the common area but will roam the house if the door is open. Although Emre and his housekeepers may come by the house, they do not go into the rooms. When we saw them, they were just washing and ironing sheets for upcoming stays and made sure the cat was alive.
I would’ve given this place 5 stars considering that it had everything we needed, but on our last night there was a leak. Upon arrival, Emre had mentioned there was a leak and he was going to have it looked at. It wasn’t until our last night that it became a problem. It started to leak heavily from the ceiling of the common area. We had to lay towels down and put out a bucket because it was leaking so much. We told Emre about it as soon as we noticed it and he sincerely apologized for the trouble, and made sure to have it looked at.
Also in regards to cleanliness, everything was pretty clean upon arrival. The bathrooms and rooms were clean with fresh sheets and towels. My only comment is that the mini fridge in the top room (room #7) could’ve been cleaned a little better.
Overall, the place was just what we needed for our stay. My friends and I enjoyed our time and felt it was worth the money. This is not the place if you want to just lounge and stay inside and watch tv all day. This place is perfect if you just need a place to sleep, shower, and hold your stuff while you explore the city.