As an Airbnb host myself, I know how much work it takes to create a great experience. Things outside your control can, and often will, add challenges to each stay.

Unfortunately, our stay had a number of those challenges. After two weeks of incredible stays at multiple Airbnb locations, this one became a comedy of issues.

#1
Our host had an emergency, so other arrangements were made to pick up keys. When we arrived at the store, no one knew who we were or where to find the keys. It took them a while to find the right person who finally handed us the keys.

#2
We then made our way into the building and went to the unit shown in our Airbnb itinerary. Someone answered the door while we tried unlocking the door - only to tell us they were also renting the unit. It took a few minutes of conversation before everyone realized the unit number was on the set of keys. Ours was a different number than the one in booking.

#3
We finally got into the room. Modern and as advertised in the listing - with one addition - about two dozen moths and flies spread out in every room. Someone had left the window open and bugs had taken over the entire apartment! We closed the windows and spent the next half hour tracking as many as we could. There were cat footprints all over the couch as well. We didn't see one in the apartment, so it must have already left. The next day Aylin dropped off bug spray, but we had already cleaned out most of them.

#4
There was miscommunication over transportation pricing - not Aylin's fault - but frustrating none the less. We worked with multiple hosts during our stay in Istanbul, both arranged transportation to and from the airport. One gave us pricing in Lira, while Aylin's was in Euros. Seeing as both quotes were 50, we glossed over the currency - so it was an unpleasant surprise to realize Aylin's method was nearly 3x the cost!

*** TIP ***
We flagged a cab just up the road for our return trip to the airport - the cabbie quoted us 40TL and we happily gave him 50TL. Transportation should only cost 50-55TL between Atatürk and Beyoğlu.

*** TIP #2 ***
Although the listing says it includes wifi, the unit doesn't actually have any (or we were unable to find the info to access it). You can rent a portable wifi at the airport and take it around town. Highly recommended as you make your way around the city.