We stayed in Zehra's flat for a few days with my mother and sister. This is a really brilliantly updated place. It has been refurbished with care and respect to the period features, it's clean and comfortable. Location wise it's bang in the middle between Eminonu (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque etc.) and Beyoglu (Istiklal avenue, Taksim etc.). It's also around the corner from the hip new streets under Karakoy (lots of coffee shops, bars and small restaurants).

The flat is located in a real working neighbourhood, specialising in shops with tools and machinery. There is also construction work around and generally this is one of the nosiest places I've ever stayed in - at all hours of the day and night. Do note that Istanbul is generally a noisy city. Pair of earplugs are a must.