Villa Arancia Istanbul - Garden, BBQ, Sauna & Turkish Bath by the Tram in Fatih

Very spacious house for a company of 5-6 people. Comfortable beds. Warm floor and overall temperature was comfortable. Everything was clean and ready for our stay. Modern bathrooms (having a possibility to take a shower for 3 people simultaneously is peak). Good sauna and BBQ grill facilities (owner provided us with free coal within an hour!). 2 refrigerators and a dishwasher (Vestel). Despite the visual appearance of the location, we felt safe. Cozy living room. And overall exterior and interior of a house is very beautiful.

The location was a bit awkward, I mean the district. BUT it was convenient to walk to city center, and near the house there was a tram station. Garden furniture was left under no cover, so the sofas outside were wet because of the rain, so it wasn’t possible to rest outside. There were ants (we discovered a little of them on the 2nd day of stay). It wasn’t a huge problem, but I hope that owner will use some pesticides against them. The way and the ladder to the underground floor looks unsafe (too little space to pass nearby), but we were careful and there were no issues. P. S. It looks like a lot of disadvantages in my review, but trust me, advantages of this accommodation and owner’s kindness and responsiveness outweighs them all! :)

Теплий будинок, зручні ліжка, приємна сауна, зручна кухня, багато місця для паркування, є апельсини :)

Величні меблі у зношеному стані, не придатні до використання. На вулиці поряд із будинком трохи брудно, але не критично.

Beautiful house and decor, great space inside. Comfortable rooms, extremely comfortable beds and lovely bathrooms. Ample and comfortable pillows. The wall sockets with usb ports at the beds are such an useful addition! Lovely strong and hot water throughout - bathrooms and kitchen. Underfloor heating was cosy and not overpowering and a blessing after all day on the explore! Loved the coat hooks in entrance. Movement activated lights system on stairs and entrance is fantastic and a handy surprise. Dishwasher and washing machine were great. House was very clean up to eye level, but huge spiderwebs in upper windows and rafters. We always felt safe, the neighbourhood is a bit rundown and unappealing at first, but street is very well lit at night. Neighbours were friendly. House's outer door and front door great locking systems. The tram and Bim (local shop) is an easy walk. Balat, with the loveliest streets and vendors (and a fresh produce market) and restaurants, is close by...1.2km walk. Some of us used the hamam and sauna, which was lovely with the cold weather. Taxi from and to airport found location easily. Landlord was responsive on messaging and initial access was easy. Loved the windows that could open 2 ways!

Would have appreciated sittingroom/lounge or comfortable seating at least inside for after a long day of exploring, especially in winter. House clean, but huge spiderwebs in upper windows and rafters. Would have liked shelving to leave makeup or deo, chargers, cameras, clothes kind of thing in most rooms and bathrooms, we used extra chairs. Kitchen could have less pots, but supplied with, particularly, eating/table knives and serrated knife for bread, egg lifter. I would suggest an equal number of plates and bowls....8 as house can cater for 8 pax. Plastic/airtight containers for leftovers and condiments - sugar, salt, pepper, would be a useful addition. 1 or 2 Days' supplies to at least get settled before you need a shop would be nice - would have liked to have some butter, S&P, sugar, milk, water, dishwasher blocks and some coffee to start off with. ( there were 3 coffee pods, we were 4 pax). One empty kichen cupboard would be nice for groceries. Sadly neighbours' kids were noisy 'til late every night... kicking on outer doors, shouting etc.

Fiind prima oara la Istanbul, este greu de facut o recenzie prin comparatie, asa ca ceea ce scriu este bazat doar pe experiente din multe alte tari. Am comunicat bine cu gazda si am rezolvat totul usor si promt. Vecinatatea este un pic dezordonata, dar nu au fost probleme, n-a fost galagie. Este foarte aproape de tramvaiul 5 (2 minute) care te duce urgent in centrul Istambulului. In statie poti sa-ti cumperi bilete, foarte usor, de la automat. Are meniul in mai multe limbi. Mijloacale de transport in comun sunt foarte bine organizate si ofera o alternativa viabila de transport in toate colturile orasului, inclusiv la aeroport. Saltelele bune. Am dormit bine. Ne-am trezit putin socati in prima noapte in jurul orei 5 cand am auzit foarte tare chemarea la rugaciune. In jurul apartamentului sunt 3 moschei. Nu e vina gazdei si chiar a reprezentat o noutate pentru noi. In urmatoarele nopti am stiut si nu a mai fost o problema.

Se poate insista un pic la curatenie. Nu este un dezastru, dar cu un pic de implicare poate sa fie chiar bine. Am ajuns dupa miezul noptii, deci nu am avut de unde sa cumparam nimic. Am sperat sa gasim o sticla de apa, dar nu am gasit. A trebuit sa fierbem apa si sa o lasam sa se raceasca. Nici ceai nu am avut cu ce sa facem (nu exista ceai, cafea, sare, zahar, adica nimic) dar s-ar putea ca asa sa fie obiceiul sau regulile in Istanbul. Internetul este slab. Ne-a incurcat un pic cand a trebuit sa facem check-in la avionul de intoarcere. Si aici cred ca este usor de rezolvat. Daca doriti sa comandati mancare, va trebuie un numar de Turcia. Altfel nu poti comanda nimic de pe nici o aplicatie. Gazda a dorit sa ne ajute, dar era un pic complicat pentru ca trebuia sa platim cash la livrare si noi nu eram pregatiti pentru asta. Tot ce am scris aici este pentru a ajuta proprietarul sa faca lucruri mici cu efecte mari.