I had the pleasure of growing up in the mesmerizing city of İstanbul, before I went to college for a year in London and three in New York, acquiring an Environmental Studies degree from NYU. After graduation, having developed a genuine concern for the ecosystem of our planet, I was lucky enough to be able to return home and help found a Waste-to-Energy-to-Organic Fertilizer Company with my father and two brothers.

I enjoy cooking, eating and conversing with friends around good food. Although for me there is no comparison to the variety and quality of the available food options in İstanbul, one thing I missed the most about New York eating scene was Mexican cuisine. That’s why I partnered up with two friends to open, first Taco Department, our Mexican food delivery restaurant and later Bowl Department for salad and rice bowl options as healthier considerations.

I reside in the Bebek area of this beautiful city, in the same building I used to live as a kid, now with my fiancé Melis and our labrador Buddha. Apart from everything about food and eating, I enjoy the nature and try to put together camping trips whenever I get a chance. I love travelling with my fiancé, especially around the western and southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. I play basketball with my friends and I like music, particularly electronic/house/dance, but will listen to anything.

Although I’m generally a humble person, I consider myself as a great ambassador of famous Turkish hospitality. I take pleasure in being an Airbnb host and look forward to meeting new guests. I love experiencing İstanbul and try to do the best I can for my guests to be able to take pleasure in my city as much as I do.

The building is named Samibey, built by and named after my late grandfather Dr. Zülfü Sami Özgen, with the penthouse apartment designed as the family’s main accommodation located on the 4th floor. The apartment has been refurbished with contemporary furniture and equipment, nevertheless its authenticity has been preserved with a number of historic items throughout the space.

The entrance is typical of İstanbul apartments with an iron frame glass door and white marble steps leading to a landing from where a stairway climbs to upper floors and flats. Once the door shuts behind you, the city’s modern hum is dimmed for a moment and one might as well feel having disembarked the Orient Express. It is only when entering the penthouse apartment and facing the magnificent view of the Bosporus that one is jolted back to present.

The 150m2 flat has a circular layout with a large living room and an accompanying spacious terrace facing the Bosporus, offering abundant cozy sofas as well as a large dinner table. The terrace also boasts deck equipment to enjoy the ample sun İstanbul has to offer.

Two full bathrooms are located on two parallel hallways leading away from the communal area with a shower in the smaller one and a bathtub in the larger. Both bathrooms have been modernized for guests’ comfort. The kitchen is located on one of the hallways and offers new appliances and equipment such as stove, fridge, dishwasher, coffee makers, kettle, pots and pans, plates, cutlery, utensils and basic cooking ingredients.

All four bedrooms are located in the back hallway connecting the two hallways from the communal area, completing the circular layout of the apartment. All bedrooms have beds with fresh linens, extra pillows and blankets for those guests that seek added comfort and warmth as well as ample closet space for heavy packers. In between the bedrooms is a laundry/utility area where extra towels are stored and equipped with a washing machine and an iron just in case.

Our building is located in Kabataş, considered as one of the prominent historic neighborhoods. It stretches along the coastline towards the historic peninsula.

As you exit the building, you find yourself facing the Bosporus on a small road. If you take a right turn and walk along this road, in about 30 min. you find yourself on the famous Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn. Around Tophane, you can now witness the emergence of the new cruise ship terminal with hotels and a selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Finally, when you find yourself in Eminönü, you have now entered the historic peninsula and will be surrounded among glorifying historic landmarks of the city; the Mısır Çarşısı, the Covered Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern the Blue Mosque, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Çemberlitaş Hamamı and countless more.

Alternatively, if you take a left turn as you exit the building, another great 45 min. stroll along the coastline leads to the historic multicultural neighborhood of Ortaköy, which used to be a hodgepodge of civilizations. Along the way you will see the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beşiktaş district, the Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque and finally Ortaköy Square.

Taksim Square, accessible with a 15 min. walk is considered as one of the main touristic hubs of the city. İstiklal Street stretching from the Taksim Square to the Galata Tower emerged as the cultural epicenter of the early Republic era and still boasts many attractions such as the historic tram, Galatasaray Hamamı, St. Anthony of Padua Church, the famous Pera Palace Hotel along with great restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, museums, art galleries and theaters.

Nişantaşı, considered as the most Europeanized neighborhood of İstanbul, is accessible with a 25 min. walk. Nişantaşı is the city’s shopping district boasting posh malls, streets lined with shops of global brands, mainstream and boutique hotels and probably the most abundant westernized culinary options.