Last week the lady from Visit Scotland came to reassess the apartment to see if we had maintained the standards, that they set, for 5* status. When I enquired last year there were only twelve 5* self catering flats in Edinburgh and we were one of them. You need to have everything from egg cups to a toast rack but the most important thing is that the place must be spotlessly clean. Every establishment from a 1* to a 5* has to have basic equipment such as the toast rack but 1* properties must have a cleanliness minimum score of 40% and a 5* property must have a cleanliness minimum score of 90%. Five star guests are also treated to added extras such as Internet access, Sky+ tv, TVs in the bedroom, Hair dryers, Tumbler dryers, Microwaves and coffee machines. You name it we’ve got it.

We have a marvellous housekeeper Sharon, who scrupulously cleans the flat between guests. On this occasion the guest, Louise, who was staying, with her sister and mum who was celebrating her 80th Birthday, had kindly offered to be out when the Visit Scotland Assessor arrived. So it was with a thumping heart that I opened the door of the flat to see if it all looked ok and in particularly, clean. Thank you Louise you are a star!

No sooner had I closed the door than bell rang. Carol, the Quality Advisor had arrived and made an exhaustive inspection of the apartment. I could hear doors and cupboards being opened and shut.

I sat in the peace of the sitting room, looking at the chestnut tree’s leaves coming out in the gardens in the middle of the square and reflected on the state the flat was in when we first got it. We got it as a one bedroom, one bathroom, students digs and my son Grant turned it into this handsome, 2 bedroom,2 bathroom, luxury apartment. www.gslaterproperties.com

Carol reported that the flat was still up to standard and more. She did suggest that we got some new pans which were looking a little tired and said that she knew if she said that to me I would get them. Some people would say yes and wait ‘till 2 days before the next years visit to buy the necessary items. She also asked where was the bedside rug (another item on the vlist) from the 2nd bedroom with the beautiful oak floor. The oak floor actually runs from that bedroom right through to the sitting room. If anyone wants to know where the rug is it is under the 2nd bedroom wardrobe – no-one seems to use it but I’ve been off to buy new pans which are now ready for your use.

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Luxury self catering in Edinburgh.

The ground floor apartment at 25 Saxe Coburg Place provides fabulous five star luxury accommodation in Edinburgh for up to six people. Located in the fashionable Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, this immaculate self catering accommodation provides a quiet retreat, only ten minutes walk from Edinburgh city centre.