Entire home

Observatory House Sum

Photo gallery for Observatory House Sum

Property building
Living room
Bedroom
Kitchen
Entryway

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 463.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Royal Mile
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Edinburgh Castle
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Balcony

About this property

Observatory House Sum

Summary:
✔ Edinburgh’s unique hilltop retreat, Observatory House is a large self-catering property extending over two floors w/garned
✔ 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:
Guests are free to check in on their own with a self-check-in system.

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 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, The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage

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.

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 manager

ALTIDO Scotland

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Outdoor space

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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

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
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
Property Registration Number EH-69756-F

About the area

Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Centre, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh, is home to this holiday home. Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre and National Museum of Scotland are cultural highlights, and some of the area's notable landmarks include Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Edinburgh International Conference Centre or Murrayfield Stadium.
Map
Edinburgh, Scotland

What's nearby

  • Princes Street - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 9 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Royal Mile - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Grassmarket - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 19 min walk - 1.6 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

  • ‪Zara - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Five Guys St. James Quarter - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Salerno Pizza - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪The Newsroom - ‬6 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?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Observatory House Sum located?

Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this holiday 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 Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) is 8 minutes.

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 5 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

8.4/10

Communication

8.4/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laura G.

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bryan F.

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eden R.

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Lee P.

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).
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dayna V.

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!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by ALTIDO Scotland

Host profile image

Languages:

English