Initially, I was unsure if I would write a review as I understand that certain issues may not be the fault of the host. But, after what happened following addressing the issue directly with airbnb, I've decided it's important.
We booked a one bedroom unit for our first few days in Istanbul based on the very detailed listing and reviews. I should specify that for whatever reason, I am unable to write a review for the original room in the other building we actually booked - only the "upgraded room" we were moved to.
We had a late flight and didn't arrive until almost 2am. Upon calling the number on the office door, someone came immediately to check us in and show us to our unit - #11 on the third floor. First impression, the unit was as listed and seemed clean. Each unit even had a security alarm. So far, so good! As it was very late, we showered (great pressure and hot water) and went to bed. the next day, went for the complementary mini breakfast at their cafe a couple of doors down and spoke with the folks at reception who were helpful in assisting with transit options/directions before we left for the day. After returning for the evening, we showered, had dinner and went to bed around midnight... That's when it all went downhill.
Bedbugs. After discovering them on the bed we went into the living room only to find the couches were infested with them. When calls made to a number provided at check in were unanswered, a message was sent indicating that there was a problem with bedbugs. A video was requested and multiple pictures and videos were sent to which the response was "İmpossible yesterday it was Ok Maybe came from outside". With the amount of bugs on the couches alone, there was NO WAY it was "ok yesterday". Staff then came to check and initially suggested that we had brought them with us because they didnt have bedbugs in Turkey and the people in the unit before us hadn't mentioned anything and neither had we the first night. I was quite upset and in tears, worried that they had gotten into our belongings. He asked what we wanted to do and we told him we wouldn't be staying there any longer- in fact, we decided to cut our trip short all together and get a flight out the next day. He said there was another unit in one of their other buildings we could stay in for the rest of the night and they would refund us for the remaining night stay, asking that I accept the refund immediately and not write anything in the review about bedbugs as they would be moving us to another unit. After we checked and bagged ALL of our things, he helped us move over to the other building a couple of doors down - now after 3am. He seemed more understanding of the issue, though he again asked I not write about the bedbugs in any review.
Upon checking out in the morning, they apologized and offered us a complimentary full breakfast but we just wanted to get out of there and treat our belongings ASAP - which is not a quick or cheap process I might add.
After leaving, I notified airbnb to avoid the unit being rented to someone else without being treated. Airbnb contacted the host who claimed the bedbugs only appeared when we brought in an old carpet from the grand bazaar (which we had asked for directions to earlier that day). WHAT?? They also said the host was not offering additional compensation (which i hadn't even asked for) as they had refunded our payment for the remaining day before "upgrading" us to another unit for the remainder of the night. I would love to know more about this magical, mystery carpet we DID NOT have or even hear about until after notifying airbnb... that must have not only been free and invisible, but also followed us back, walked with us around the nearby shops at Istiklal, then to go get food before flying up to the 3rd floor unit (no elevator) and making itself comfy on both couches to drop off dozens of bugs undetected.
After spending SO MUCH time and money to treat all of our things as to hopefully not take anything into our home, and trying to prevent this happening to anyone else, only to be both blamed and have lies told about the situation... Just beware. Otherwise, seemingly good apartment.
UPDATE: after review, airbnb offered us a full refund. The host has also messaged me again requesting that I do not mention bedbugs in a review stating that they did pest control and closed the actual unit for 6 days. hopefully that's true.