I had an amazing time at Firat's place. We were in the city right as the curfew was lifted and saw the city come to life before our very eyes. A little bit about the space:
THE LOCATION - Literally the best location for an Airbnb in Istanbul. Conveniently in the middle of all the places tourists need to visit. 10 min walk to the Galata bridge. Less than 5 mins to Istiklal. 15 mins to Taksim square. 20 mins to Sultanahmet. Also if you are going to Istiklal/ Taksim you get to avoid going up the steep hills that the city is infamous for.
The BUILDING - I appreciated living in a truly HISTORICAL building that is over a 100 years old. I felt like a local and the rooftop terrace has the most amazing view of the city, 2nd only to the Galata tower. The marble stairs, tiled floors and ceilings, really add to the vibe.
The SPACE - Apartment feels a lot roomier that in the pictures and has a nice modern design. The common space and dining area has enough space for a group of 5-7 to hang out, without feeling crowded.
The HOST - Firat has been very helpful and communicative, giving us suggestions on every step and helping us answer any questions that we might have. He even helped us setup our HES codes (needed to enter public transport) and connect it to our transport cards. His cousin also made himself available for any help or advice we might need.
Also, we were welcomed on the first night with some local foods and snacks that Firat picked out for us ahead of time. A really nice touch after a long flight. He also helped us secure an airport transfer to his place for a very reasonable price.
Thank you Firat and team for the amazing experience! I hope to return soon and this will definitely be my go to place to stay in Istanbul.