Observatory House & Apartment

Photo gallery for Observatory House & Apartment

A historic stone building with multiple chimneys, a central arched entrance, and a staircase leading to the main entrance.
A terrace with a table set for a meal, overlooking a historic building and a tower.
A four-poster bed in a room with a rustic ceiling, white walls, and a large mirror on one wall.
A hallway leading to a dining area with a table set for four, a potted plant on the windowsill, and a radiator on the wall.
A window view of a classical building with columns, a lock on the window, and a plant in the foreground.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Princes Street
Sleeps 84 bedrooms4 beds

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Balcony
  • Internet access
  • Balcony or patio
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Place, Princes Street
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Calton Hill
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Sofa Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

Observatory House & Apartment

Summary:

✔ Expansive house nicely nestled on Calton Hill

✔ Extraordinary views on all sides

✔ 2152ft2 | 200m2

✔ 3 bedrooms

✔ 3 bathrooms

✔ Completely furnished kitchen

✔ Cosy garden

✔ 13-minute walk to Scott Monument

✔ St Giles cathedral is a 16-minute walk

✔ 20-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle

✔ Edinburgh Waverley train station is a 10-minute walk



The Space:

This expansive holiday home blends historic charm with modern comfort across multiple levels. It features four bedrooms, including three with flexible king beds and one with a sofa bed, plus three bathrooms with luxurious baths and showers. Guests can relax in two lounges with smart televisions. The property includes a bespoke main kitchen and a convenient lower level kitchenette. Dining is a unique experience in the historic Gothic Tower, which offers panoramic city views and seats eight. Outside, a tranquil garden and terrace provide additional seating for eight. The home is fully equipped for families with linens, towels, and high speed wireless internet.



Guest Access:

● Guests will have full, unrestricted access to the House. Due to its unique location (on the summit of Calton Hill - 105m above sea level), there is no parking available directly outside the House; however, luggage drop-off by car and food van deliveries are permitted via the Calton Hill access road.

● The property is on the ground floor.

● There are two flights of stairs within the property.

● Observatory House was built over 200 years ago and although the City Observatory site itself is wheelchair accessible, unfortunately the House is not due to steps and staircases which cannot be ramped.

● The House and Apartment both have steps and staircases to reach all rooms.

● The Apartment is self-contained on one floor without stairs, though a small flight of stairs is used to reach the front door.



Check-in Information:

A member of our team will welcome you to the property, give you a tour, and provide keys.



The Neighborhood:

Attractions within walking distance of the House include the National Gallery, City Art Centre, National Museum, Castle and many more. We’d also love to share our knowledge of the less-hyped Edinburgh, from the vibrant contemporary art galleries such as Talbot Rice Gallery and Dovecot to alternative ways to understand the city, like Black History walking tours and smaller, independent museums.

Edinburgh city centre also boasts a wonderful array of restaurants and food options. For more of a local feel, Leith, Easter Road and Abbeyhill are just to the north and east of Calton Hill and have many small restaurants, bars, and coffee shops on offer. If you’d like to stay in and enjoy the House, small independent food shops and mini markets are close by, or online deliveries can drop food to you close to the House.

Just a short walk from the front door, guests will find our acclaimed restaurant partner, Cafe Calton.



Getting Around:

● The House can be reached in a number of ways, but please bear in mind that its unique location on the summit of the Hill does present some access challenges.

● On foot - Steps lead up the Hill from Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace. You will see Observatory House above you on the left as you reach the top of the steps. The entrance gate (signed Collective) is to the right, at the top of a final flight of steps.

● By bus - Regular buses stop on Waterloo Place and Royal Terrace – visit Lothian Buses or download their app to plan your journey.

● By train - Waverley station is a ten-minute walk away on foot. Please note there are steep steps on this route (we highly recommend getting a taxi if you have luggage) – visit National Rail Enquiries to plan your journey.

● By car - Due to its unique location, there is no parking available directly outside the House; however, luggage drop-off by car and food van deliveries are permitted via the Calton Hill access road. This road terminates approximately 100m from the House. The nearest Pay & Display car parking is on Regent Road or the Q-Park Omni.



✈ Nearest airport:

26-minute drive to Edinburgh Airport



Other Things to Note:

∗Please note the property is fitted with a noise-detection device.

∗Please note that JOIVY is not responsible or liable for any lost, misplaced or stolen items during guest stays.

⚡ In light of the current situation, we kindly ask our guests to consume electricity and gas mindfully. Please note we will add an additional charge for excessive energy usage.

*If you need a travel cot or sofa bed linens, please let us know in advance or add this to your reservation from your dedicated boarding pass for an additional fee.

*Please note this property is located at the top of Calton Hill, a popular tourist destination, and the hill can become quite busy during the day. Additionally, the house property is within an open public site containing a visitors' centre.

*If you need a Travel cot or Sofa bed linens, please let us know in advance or add this to your reservation from your dedicated Boarding Pass.

∗Please note that а refundable damage deposit of £250 is mandatory and should be paid via card and before check-in. We inspect the property after you check out; if there is no damage, we refund the deposit within 2 days via bank transfer.



Interaction with Guests:

Collective is a charity with a mission to bring people together around art. From our home on Calton Hill, we support artists in presenting their new work to a wide audience. We work with local children and young people to provide opportunities for play and creativity at Collective. Observatory House is the oldest building on our site and part of the historic observatory which Collective redeveloped as a centre for contemporary art in 2018. All proceeds from the House support Collective’s charitable mission and work.



This home is managed on behalf of Collective by JOIVY, which offers a wide selection of top-quality properties across Europe.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
JOIVY wants you to have a fantastic stay, and we encourage you to see this property as a home away from home. There are, however, a few points we p...

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number EH-69756-F
Property # 10975303
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Centre, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Princes Street and George Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed.
Map
Edinburgh, Scotland

What's nearby

  • Princes Street - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Calton Hill - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Omni Centre Edinburgh - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Royal Mile - 9 min walk - 0.8 km

Getting around

  • Edinburgh Waverley Station - 5 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 7 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wingstop - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Pho Edinburgh - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪John Lewis Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪The Playfair (Wetherspoon) - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Observatory House & Apartment pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Observatory House & Apartment?

As of 20 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Observatory House & Apartment on 28 Nov 2026 start from £1,899, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Observatory House & Apartment?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Observatory House & Apartment?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Observatory House & Apartment located?

Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this apartment building is steps away from Calton Hill and Princes Street. Royal Mile and George Street are also within 10 minutes. Edinburgh Waverley Station is only a 5-minute walk and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 7 minutes.

About the host

Hosted by ALTIDO Scotland

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Languages:

English
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