Brickpalas

Arya was easy to communicate with, and the room and location in the heart of cihangir were both great. I can see this becoming my usual place to stay in Istanbul.

I really enjoyed staying here, and the room on the upper floor had a lovely terrace. The only drawback was the steep walk from the place up to Istiklal street.

The balcony is what makes this studio such a find. There's plenty of room to sit outside comfortably, and even though you're in the middle of the city, the area itself is quiet. Restaurants and supermarkets are close by, and the bazaar is about a 40-minute walk. You can leave a car in a garage for 90 TL/day. Inside, the studio has enough space and what you need for a city stay, including a small kitchen for making a simple meal. I usually eat out. The bed suited me because I prefer a firm mattress. One small issue: the airco is fixed to wood that shifts with temperature changes, and it can make loud noises. I used to stay in Fatih, but after reading a review about this place, I gave it a try. It's a real little jewel in central Istanbul.

The washing machine and dryer in the basement came in really handy, and there's a good-sized Carrefour supermarket just four minutes away. The apartment also has cooking utensils if you want to make food yourself. It’s well placed, about 7-8 minutes on foot to the tram station and another 7-8 to Taksim square, with Istiklal Street and Galata tower close by. The place has pretty much what you need. If you're coming from overseas, remember an outlet converter.