Very nice, cute, safe area, near shops and restaurants.
Just a short walking distance to Blue Mosque.
Walk just a bit more and get to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
Walk some more a get to Grand Bazaar.
Transfer to hotel from airport:
If no traffic, 20-25 min to the airport. With traffic, one hour.
In the airport I hired a private service... IEF TUR gave us a very decent van for 10 people (we were only 3) for a roundtrip fee to Azade Suites/hotel for 35 Euros. You'd need to negotiate a bit or else they may want to charge you 30-35 euros one way!
We were also very lucky because we got an upgrade at Azade suites: from a one bedroom suite to a two bedroom! We got 3 tvs, 2 safes, 1 full/queen? Bed, 2 double beds, etc.
Of course the bedroom and bathroom sizes are much smaller than an American hotel, but was very cute, clean and cozy and in an amazing location.
Bedrooms have lots of outlets but remember to bring a converter to be able to use your US chargers.
Breakfast is in Azade hotel just around the corner, 1 min away.
Check in at Hippodrome hotel, just in front of Azade Suites.
Would stay there again next time we go to Istanbul.