Location. Location. Short drive from Ataturk airport ( plus help with kerbside luggage from the vigilant receptionist, Marve ). Stroll over the footbridge (lifts both ends) to the Bakirkoy ferry terminal, which is served by regular ferries from two companies. Excellent Anatolian gozleme café around the corner, with dedicated women labouring lovingly in the window over the dome grills. Great views over the sea of Marmara. Staff are happy to let you leave excess luggage to allow day trips, or longer jaunts (minus heavy bags). Getting to the very fast train terminal, on the Asian side, is, unbelievably, easier than you might think, as you cut out the nightmare Istanbul traffic by taking the ferry to Bostanci, then taxi to Pendik station. Kebabs, fish, ice cream, gozleme, coffee and chocolate, even succulent BBQ chicken, are within easy reach.
My wife and I stay here each year. The best.