It all started with communication with David -- he was almost immediately responsive and able to answer all of my questions. He met us at the apartment and showed us the ropes. The entire apartment looks as if it was just remodeled though I'm sure it wasn't. Everything is spotless, neat and tidy; apartment is furnished comfortably and is very functional. Mr. and Mrs. Brown really do have everything you could possibly need for your stay -- board games and DVDs for family time, a large selection of local guide books, a small library full of popular titles; coffee, tea, biscuits and milk in the kitchen. TV has a good selection of channels -- who knew that the American's old reality shows would dominate British television. Don't do it, UK!
One story clarified how entirely perfect the apartment was for us: we purchased a sim card for our old iPhone. We had some trouble getting it to work and I needed to pop the sim card out of the phone. What on earth can I use to do that when I'm on vacation??? I opened a drawer in the dining room and found a little box with sewing implements and some office supplies, including a paperclip. Awww! That was the absolute last thing I would expect to be able to find in a rental apartment and David had thought of it.
The apartment was an amazingly comfortable home-away-from-home for our time in Edinburgh. Bedroom included an American Queen-sized bed. It's located on the Canongate portion of the Royal Mile, across the road from the Scottish Parliament and within shouting distance of Holyrood. It's right on the street with all of the action but quiet at night.
We fell in love with Edinburgh and Scotland and will be back. I hope that we'll be able to stay with the Browns again.