This was my first visit to Istanbul, and I believe I landed in the right place. First of all, there is the genuine and amazing hospitality of both Yesim and Caner, who made it me feel very much like at home. They were very communicative, and just best hosts. The kitty is adorable and loving.
The neighborhood is great, very hip and QUIET (unlike the very crowded and loud Taksim or Istiklal), lots of nice little cafes, restaurants and shops and just a 12-14 min walk to Istiklal or Taksim. The apartment is comfortable and has everything you need. Conclusion: a great place to stay at in Istanbul. I look forward to my next visit. :-)