[See all properties](http://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?regionId=&adults=2&children=&sort=RECOMMENDED&useRewards=false&semdtl=&userIntent=&vip=false) Entire home # Observatory House Sum Vacation home with kitchen, a short walk to Princes Street ![2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/73000000/72100000/72093000/72092984/bda479af.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=598&ra=fit) ![Dining](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/73000000/72100000/72093000/72092984/d485387d.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Interior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/73000000/72100000/72093000/72092984/6c211a39.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/73000000/72100000/72093000/72092984/23437fae.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/73000000/72100000/72093000/72092984/72172ff1.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) - Overview - Amenities - Policies - Location Perched on Calton Hill, Observatory House is a charming home away from home with a fully fitted kitchen, cosy garden and splendid city views. Unwind in the comfortable living room or explore nearby attractions like Scott Monument and St Giles Cathedral within walking distance. 8.0 Very good ### Entire home 2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4678 sq ft ## Popular amenities - Outdoor space - Washer - Kitchen ## Add dates for prices Check-in Check-out Travellers ## About this property ### Entire place You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party. ### Observatory House Sum Summary: ✔ Edinburgh’s unique hilltop retreat, Observatory House is a large self-catering property extending over two floors w/garden ✔ 2 bedrooms ✔ 2 bathrooms ✔ Well-equipped kitchen ✔ East-facing garden with outdoor seating ✔ 15-minute walk to National Museum ✔ Next to National Gallery ✔ Waverley station is just a few minutes away on foot ✔ An extensive area guide is provided, and we are available 24/7 ✔ Essentials, linens, towels, and WiFi are provided The Space: ⭐ 2 bedrooms — The Astronomer’s Suite is the master bedroom of Observatory House, with a super king-sized four-poster bed and connected bathroom. — The Observer’s Room is a spacious second bedroom with two twin beds made as one super-king-size bed. ⭐ 2 bathrooms ⭐ A comfy living room with a flat-screen/smart TV ⭐ A fully equipped kitchen & dining area suitable for up to 8 guests ⭐ A desk space ⭐ East-facing garden with outdoor seating ⭐ Family friendly Guest Access: ● Guests will have access to the entire house. ● There are 2 flights of stairs within the property. ● The House is located on the summit of Calton Hill (105m above sea level). Drop-off by car or taxi is permitted via the Calton Hill access road; however, due to its unique location, there is no resident parking on the Hill for House guests. Check-in Information: A member of our team will welcome you to the property, give you a tour, and advise you on how to gain keyless access to the property. The Neighborhood: Attractions within walking distance of the House include the National Gallery, City Art Centre, National Museum, Castle, Collective Gallery and many more. We’d also love to share our knowledge of the less-hyped Edinburgh too, 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. Local Restaurants Just a short walk from the front door, guests will find our acclaimed restaurant partner, Cafe Calton. Getting Around: ● There is no free parking available at this property. Getting to Observatory House 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. By taxi Taxi drop-off and pick-up are encouraged via the Calton Hill access road, which terminates approximately 100m from the House. Other Things to Note: 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 politely ask guests to note before their arrival and throughout their stay: – Strictly no smoking, no parties, no pets. – Dispose of rubbish appropriately. – Keep the property clean and tidy. – Whilst washing up and stripping the beds at check-out would be appreciated, it is by no means expected. – Quiet hours are between 10 PM and 9 AM. So please keep the noise down and respect the neighbours in the building. – Please remember to close all windows and doors when leaving. – Careful attention to the keys is extremely important. Guests are responsible for any additional costs resulting from misplaced keys or locksmith call-outs. – To ensure the safety of our current and future guests, we ask all guests to complete our online check-in form and to provide a valid form of identification. ∗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: JOIVY will be in touch to assist you with many extra services, such as airport transfers, in-stay cleans, and childcare equipment. If you have any questions before or during your stay, we’re here for you 24/7. This home is managed by JOIVY. We’re proud to host our guests in a wide selection of top-quality properties across Europe. JOIVY is pleased to offer hotel-standard hospitality services and provide hotel-quality linens, towels, bathroom essentials, and professional cleaning services. ## Property amenities ### Internet - Available in the house: WiFi ### Parking and transportation - No onsite parking available ### Kitchen - Cookware, dishware, and utensils - Dishwasher - Microwave - Oven - Refrigerator - Stovetop - Toaster ### Dining - Dining table ### Bedrooms - 2 bedrooms - Bedsheets provided ### Bathroom - 2 bathrooms - Bathtub or shower - Hair dryer - Shower - Towels provided ### Living spaces - Dining table ### Entertainment - TV ### Outdoor areas - Balcony - Terrace ### Laundry - Laundry facilities - Washing machine ### Work spaces - Office ### Comfort - Heating ### Pets - No pets allowed ### Suitability/Accessibility - If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking. - Wheelchair accessibility - Smoking not allowed ### Services and conveniences - Iron/ironing board ### Safety features - Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property) - Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property) ### General - Unit size: 678 square feet ## Similar properties ![Outdoor dining](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/116000000/115950000/115940100/115940062/68792081.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Live like a King /Queen In The City (near Edinburgh Airport) Gogar - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Pet-friendly [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-11-02&endDate=2025-11-03&selected=115940062&PinnedHotelID=115940062&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/5000000/4650000/4649200/4649118/43d3f921.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Residence Inn by Marriott Edinburgh Tollcross - Breakfast included - Pet-friendly - Free WiFi - Gym 8.6 Excellent 1,005 reviews CA $224 CA $269 total includes taxes & fees Nov 2 - 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There are, however, a few points we p... ### Pets Pets not allowed ### Children and extra beds Children are welcome ### Events No events allowed ### Smoking Smoking is not permitted ## Important information ### You need to know 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 Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation Property Registration Number EH-69756-F ### Property is also known as 6633bbe0bd31bd0049c7c42f ## About the area Edinburgh City Centre, a neighborhood in Edinburgh, is home to this vacation home. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travelers 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. [Visit our Edinburgh travel guide](https://www.expedia.ca/Edinburgh.dx6069845) [View more Vacation homes in Edinburgh](https://www.expedia.ca/Edinburgh-Private-Vacation-Homes.d6069845-aaPrivateVacationHomes.Travel-Guide-Accommodation) ![Map](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?&size=660x330&map_id=3b266eb50d2997c6&zoom=13&markers=icon:https%3A%2F%2Fa.travel-assets.com%2Ftravel-assets-manager%2Feg-maps%2Fproperty.png%7C55.95480%2C-3.18412&channel=expedia-HotelInformation&maptype=roadmap&scale=1&key=AIzaSyCYjQus5kCufOpSj932jFoR_AJiL9yiwOw&signature=7bahKyeb2XhOrmOqNmHFDn7PbTA=) Edinburgh, Scotland ### What's nearby - Princes Street - 1 min walk - 0.0 km - Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km - Royal Mile - 6 min walk - 0.5 km - University of Edinburgh - 13 min walk - 1.1 km - Edinburgh Castle - 16 min walk - 1.4 km ### Getting around - Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 8 min walk - St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 10 min walk - Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 38 min drive ### Restaurants - ‪Wingstop - ‬7 min walk - ‪The Place To Eat - ‬7 min walk - ‪Salerno Pizza - ‬7 min walk - ‪Maki Ramen - ‬6 min walk - ‪The Playfair (Wetherspoon) - ‬7 min walk ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Observatory House Sum pet-friendly? > No, pets are not allowed at this property. ### How much is parking at Observatory House Sum? > This property doesn't offer parking. ### What time is check-in at Observatory House Sum? > Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. ### What time is check-out at Observatory House Sum? > Check-out is at 11:00 AM. ### Where is Observatory House Sum located? > Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this vacation home is within a 5-minute walk of Calton Hill and Princes Street. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre are also within 15 minutes. St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 10 minutes by foot and Princes Street Tram Stop is 13 minutes. ## Have a question? Beta Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews. Ask a question ## Observatory House Sum Reviews 8.0 ### Very good All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.[More information](https://www.expedia.ca/lp/b/content-guidelines) ### 9.6 Cleanliness ### 8.2 Location 10 - Excellent 5 8 - Good 1 6 - Okay 2 4 - Poor 0 2 - Terrible 1 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Eden R. Sep 16, 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Eden in Edinburgh Stayed three nights. Most interesting VRBO location - right on the grounds of an arts collective at the site of historic monumental grounds. Saw sunrises and sunsets - 360 degree views of the city. Walking distance to everything -from Waverly Station, Hollyrood Palace, Royal Mile, to the Castle. ##### Eden R. Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Laura G. Sep 22, 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Epic House Gorgeous house with lots of space and views to die for! This spot was so special! High point of our trip! ##### Laura G. Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Bryan F. Jun 12, 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Best view Great stay. We loved it. It may not be for everybody as you do have a pretty aggressive climb to the house and there are tourists swarming around at all hours. However, the views are incredible and we loved the grounds. ##### Bryan F. Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023 ### 6/10 Okay #### David L. Jun 3, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication Disliked: Location, listing accuracy #### Amazing property but didn’t feel safe The property itself is breathtaking and unbelievable. However, what we were not aware of is what a public place the property is located in. Calton hill is an extremely busy tourist attraction and for the last two night nights of our stay, there were groups of rowdy individuals drinking and creating havoc. There is a fence that surrounds the property, as it is part of a museum area, but the individuals jumped the fence and vandalized some areas of the museum, were drinking and being somewhat threatening. This happened two nights in a row, and we had to get the police involved, which obviously put a big dent in our vacation enjoyment and took up several hours of both evenings. We felt uncomfortable sleeping there and did not get a good nights sleep after the disturbances occurred. So please be aware that the area is isolated and far away from any other buildings, and we felt very unsafe there. ##### David L. Stayed 4 nights in May 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Dayna V. Jun 6, 2022 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Exceptional stay at the top of Edinburgh with breathtaking views in historic location. Really enjoyed everything about our stay at Observatory House. Fantastic location with views in every direction. Historic building has been beautifully restored. Everything was perfect and the house well-stocked with everything you need to fully enjoy the place. Felt as though this was truly a unique experience in Edinburgh. Centrally located to everything - walk to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat, restaurants, the Playhouse, a mall, a movie theatre. Or just relax at home with views of it all! It is a hike up to the location, so may not be ideal for some, but we didn’t mind at all. We hope to come back! ##### Dayna V. Stayed 3 nights in May 2022 ### 2/10 Terrible #### Lee P. Mar 31, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy #### Not as described or information left out It should have been noted in the description for the property that it is in the middle of a public park and they are unwilling to help when people show up and party (drink, play loud music, and yell) 10 feet from your bedrooms.It would have also been useful if they would have described when booking they know of this issue as they hand out ear plugs when you arrive.It would have been nice to understand the 24 "help" line they have offers not help for this issue and simply say you need to figure it out on your own.I would recommend not staying at the property unless you would like to participate in the parties. The nice part about going to these parties that you involuntary host is the walk home is less than 30 seconds. These parties you get to attend and participate in will be on the otherside of the wall of your home (less than 10 feet). ##### Lee P. Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025 ### 6/10 Okay #### kelly o. Apr 28, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy #### Beautiful location, unfortunate plumbing issue This home is beautiful and the view is to die for. The check in was a little off , we met at the time listed and were in the right place with our luggage but stood around a while until the host registered it was us checking in. It’s a very busy area and not her fault. It would have just been better if we were given a direct number of the person that would be letting us in, instead of everything going through a different person at a call center each time you text. Unfortunately right after we checked in the guest shower started leaking all the way to the floor below like full on heavy rain that flooded the entrance room. This also set off the fire alarm for a good 10mins. The other shower would only get scorching hot water making it impossible to shower. Once they sent maintenance out to look at it, it was established this would be a bigger issue that needed to be fixed. We worked with the host agency and reached an agreement for us to check out early. This place has a lot of potential we just happened to have an unfortunate accident happen while there so we didn’t get to enjoy it. ##### kelly o. Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025 ### 8/10 Good #### Louisa H. Jun 28, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy Disliked: Check-in ##### Louisa H. Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Jeff k. Jun 11, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### A little piece of heaven! ##### Jeff k. Stayed 3 nights in May 2025