Meroddi Galata Flats

There’s a big fridge for things you buy, plus air conditioning that gets really cold. We also had a washing machine in our room, which was very convenient for us as a couple. The bathroom is quite small, really only enough for one person to shower at a time, but that didn't bother me. It's tucked into an alley, so finding your way there can be a bit tricky. There’s no lift either, just stairs to the rooms, so it may not suit you if stairs are an issue. Shops selling gifts, restaurants, and a mini market are nearby.

The location is fabulous, just a minute from Galata Tower, and the receptionists and housekeepers were wonderful. Our room was clean, the Wi-Fi was great, and having rooftop access with a view of the tower was a big bonus. The flat itself was below what we expected. It looked newer in the photos, while the rooms were quite old. The air conditioners barely worked and made an awful noise, the bathroom door was hard to open and close, and the overall condition wasn't great.

Being cleaned every other day worked really well for me. The service was excellent, and it gave me some privacy when I wanted it. The flat itself was clean and came with the washer and dryer I wanted. I just wish the bed were more comfortable, as it took a while to get used to how firm it was. The location was the best part. Sishane metro stop was only about 200 meters away, and the receptionist easily guided us to the flat around the corner, so finding it was no trouble. Shops, markets, and neighborhood restaurants were close by and convenient, with reasonable prices. Galata Tower is an easy landmark to look for. The kitchen had only the basics. There wasn't a proper knife for cutting, and salt and pepper would have been nice. The walls are thin, so you can hear neighbors, but most guests were considerate and we weren't disturbed while sleeping. Overall, I was happy with the stay.

We left before our booking was over and moved to another area because of the ongoing problems. They only just managed to refund the remaining four days, and did so after we said we'd check out and contact customer support. The rooms were nice and had what we needed, but electricity, heating, and internet were a serious issue. During our three-day stay, we only had power for 5-6 hours at night, and went two days without heat or internet. We asked why they hadn't told us before booking, or at least a week earlier so we could change plans. Staff couldn't give a reason and blamed a lack of information from the government, though diesel generators were everywhere, which made the outages seem not unexpected.