I had a long-term stay at Merve's place and felt very much like I had a second home in Istanbul. The room is small but cosy, and furnished with nice little touches and ornaments to make you feel at home. The kitchen was well stocked which made it possible to cook at home fairly often, something I appreciated as a long-term visitor. There are little shops as well as a Carrefour close by where you can stock up on your cooking needs.

Merve and Arif were always readily available to help with any questions, as well as tips on getting around and good places for sightseeing/eating/drinking in Istanbul. They are hardworking, multi-talented, and really dedicated to making sure their visitors have a comfortable stay.

The neighbourhood is a very local one, which gives you the chance to step outside the tourist bubble, while at the same time you are just minutes away from Taksim/Istiklal (and the heart of the nightlife :)) I felt safe walking home during the evenings as there are always families around and children playing in the streets. Nearby restaurant recommendation: As you walk towards Istiklal and just before the bridge on the right, there is a nice little place called Saray Lokantasi where you can choose from a variety of homecooked dishes for less than 10TL.

One of my favourite things about the neighbourhood is its Sunday market, where you can stock up on fresh veggies, dried fruits and nuts and more. And look out for the guy making gözleme, a yummy kind of savoury Turkish pancake ;)

Thank you Merve for showing us what Turkish hospitality really means! I strongly recommend staying at this place if you are looking for a home away from home while in Istanbul.