Merve & Arif's place is in a fantastic location, walking distance from all of the Taksim nightlife but still in a calm residential neighborhood. I spent a whole week there, and it was just what I was looking for. I didn't see Merve & Arif because they were off getting married (congrats to them!) but Emre let me in and got me settled even though I arrived very late. I'd definitely recommend them to anybody coming through Istanbul!