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 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.
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.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Princes Street

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine
  • Bathtub
  • Non-smoking
  • Microwave

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

Add dates for prices

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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 Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed.
View more Apartments in EdinburghOpens in a new window
Map
Edinburgh, Scotland

What's nearby

  • Princes Street - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Calton Hill - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • St James Quarter - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 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

  • ‪Society Bar & Kitchen - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Pho Edinburgh - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Wingstop - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪John Lewis Cafe - ‬4 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 6 Nov, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Observatory House & Apartment on 1 Feb, 2027 start from S$1,885, 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 Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre are also within 10 minutes. Edinburgh Waverley Station is only a 5-minute walk and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 7 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very responsive to any questions and when we had an issue with one of the showers they got it fixed quickly. The property is older as expected, but well maintained. Truly a once in a lifetime experience to stay in a place like this. The views were stunning.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a great place to live in--literally a castle on a hill. Our hosts were helpful and informative. We had a large group staying together, and everyone loved the place. P.S.: Don't try to hike up that hill with suitcases--get a car to drop you off. It's still a short walk after that to get to the house.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely stunning place to stay. Everything was amazing. Close to great spots to eat and drink. Views were stunning.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous views with lots of room!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was great
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Aug, 2025
Thank you, Howard! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great stay. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another wonderful experience! Best Regards, Joivy Team
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay, the house is beautiful and it’s wonderful to stay in a piece of history!The kitchen was fully equipped for cooking for a group of 8 people. The hosts responded quickly to a couple of issues we had. Just be warned: there are steps: so many steps!!!!!Edinburgh: where every day is a leg day
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
To start, we really loved this property. It was unique, picturesque and overall met the needs of our family. The kitchen was well stocked, beds were comfortable and artwork throughout the house added to the whimsy of the home. We enjoyed the buskers who played on the hill in the evenings, and the Calton Cafe was convenient and delicious. It was busy with tourists and there was definitely a hike to/from the house, but that was conveyed in the property listing. My concerns were as follows: (1) there was a delay in the host meeting us for check-in (we waited for over half an hour in the rain after planning ahead with a meeting time); (2) there were several things around the unit that did not function properly- the upstairs hall bath toilet, the dishwasher, the internet; (3) reserving airport transfer before the roadway gates opened at 7:30 AM required us to cart luggage down the hill. I want to reiterate that we enjoyed our stay in the observatory house. You trade convenience for a unique experience, so just know that going in. Our family agrees that we would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

The eagles nest -observatory house

The most extraordinary place to stay in Edinburgh by a long shot. The location could not be more perfect, the house more welcoming and the beds more comfortable. Waking up with these incredible views that change through the day until the drama of sunset and the city coming to life makes it very difficult to leave. Romantic, homely and practical as well as beautiful-a difficult combination that this house and the team achieve with ease
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Communication - host responded to messages best through vrbo app although a secondary portal and email was used for information. A beeping noise on the fire panel was not resolved before our stay ended after requesting help from host who said staff would investigate.Check-in - host shared 3 hours before check in that check in would be delayed an hour due to a previous guests’ late check out and the state they left the home. Ultimately, the host delegate did not arrive until 16:20 for check in.Home - the inside of the home itself was clean and well maintained. The screw sticking out of the floorboard, the electrical outlets that were overdue for inspection and exterior gates out of alignment were the only safety issues. Price for value - you are paying for the views and historical significance. The cafe next door had delicious food and coffee. For this, you compromise on: accessibility, other tourists seeking views and sitting directly outside windows, and limited “hotel” conveniences (ie, usb outlets, enough towels for your guests, conditioner).
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous start to our Scotland trip!

To celebrate my husband's 70th birthday, we went on a two week golfing tour of Scotland with our kids and partners. The Observatory is pricey, but we made up the cost with other housing. WELL worth the expense with the fun of staying at the top of Calton Hill with its view of the city and castle-like feel. The place was spotless and uniquely finished. Having a bathroom with each bedroom made it an easy start to our trip. It is a hike up the hill and has stairs inside, so be forewarned. I only wish I could attach some photos showing how much fun we had at what we refer to as "Gary's Castle."
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location could not have been better....incredible views over the city. And the observatory tower is an AMAZING place to reserve for a group. Amenities inside the accomodation were top of the line. It was a trip of a lifetime for our family. Absolutely would recommend it. The checkin was rocky as we did not receive instructions, had to call the international number, then had to go to an office and a lockbox (thank goodness it was walkable) after dark, had to wait outside while a couple family members fetched the keys....just make sure you receive all instructions before you areive (not just the boarding pass with basic instructions). I will say, however , that the person we reached on the line was extremely helpful and checked in many times to ensure we received the keys and got in.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very impressive!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything went very smoothly. I just found the boarding pass difficult to find. It would have been better to have it on the VRBO website, where everything else is indicated. Also, we would have appreciated better instructions on how to get up to the Observatory House by car (for the dropping off of our suitcases).
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a very unique property and we truly enjoyed the stay. The rooms were comfortable and the shared living spaces were comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
You won't get a more iconic stay anywhere in Edinburgh. Living front and center in a living museum was an exceptional experience. You will have to climb the stairs to Calton Hill after a day of exploring Edinburgh, but every effort is worth it. The Cafe Calton, literally next door, is available for all of your eating needs as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Super cool property. Tons of steps and stairs which was the only downside.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
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