City Observatory, 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA,
-
Close to Calton Hill
Great
8.7
/10
Highly rated by guests who stayed at Joivy Observatory House & Apartment
superb bathtub view
really good decoration
very nice energy
coffee and tea
"The bathtub view superb."
Megan from Canada
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"Exceptional decoration and very beautiful view from every window of the house."
Wei from China
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"In the past it was the second most important house in the city."
Robson from United Kingdom
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"Amazing location and amazing accomodation"
Vandepeear from United Kingdom
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"House was amazing. Clean and comfortable."
Sarah from United States
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Historic Observatory House & Apartment with City Views - A Unique Edinburgh Stay
Historic Setting & Unique Location
JOIVY Observatory House & Apartment is housed in a historic building, once the residence of the city's security governor. The property sits at the top of a hill, with a public park surrounding the area. Guests can walk to the Royal Mile in 800 metres and reach Edinburgh Castle within a short stroll.
Apartment & House Accommodations
The hotel offers a One-Bedroom Apartment and a Two-Bedroom House, both with sea, garden, and city views. Each unit includes a fully equipped kitchenette, washing machine, private bathroom, and a vinyl player. The bathroom fixtures are high-quality, and the apartment features two single beds that can be separated.
Views & Surroundings
Guests are treated to breathtaking views from all areas of the apartment, including the sea, garden, and the city skyline. The Observatory apartment is positioned above the Observatory house, providing a vantage point over the park. At night, the sight from around the apartment is particularly beautiful.
Nearby Attractions & Activities
The property is 800 metres from the Royal Mile and a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station. Edinburgh Airport is 10 km away. Guests can enjoy boating, kayaking, or canoeing in the surrounding area.
Guest Experience & Amenities
The hotel provides private check-in/check-out, shared lounge/TV area, and smoke alarms for safety. Family rooms are available, and the entire property is non-smoking. Guests have access to free WiFi, heating, and parking on site.
Highlights
Historic building: former residence of the security governor
Location: 800 metres from Royal Mile, 10 km from airport
Views: sea, garden, and city views from apartments
Stroll through the charming Dean Village just minutes from the house.
Try haggis at Fork & Good for an authentic Scottish flavor.
Visit the lesser-known Museum of Edinburgh for local history.
Discover hidden gardens at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden.
Catch a sunset at Calton Hill for stunning city views.
Select your room type
Joivy Observatory House & Apartment offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
One-Bedroom Apartment
2 persons
60 m²
1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Two-Bedroom House
2 persons
190 m²
1 King-size bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Price and Room Availability Calendar
Check availability and prices for your dates now!
Facilities
Joivy Observatory House & Apartment offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Perfect
9.3/10Review score
General
Non-smoking rooms
Wi-Fi
No pets allowed
Room features
Sitting area
Dining table
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Washing machine
Free toiletries
Self-catering
Electric kettle
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Show more
Joivy Observatory House & Apartment Location
City Observatory, 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA,
Map view
City landmarks
Museum
Edinburgh Castle
1.44 km
Museum
National Museum of Scotland
1.01 km
Landmark
Arthur's Seat hike
2.15 km
Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
690 m
Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
1.31 km
Landmark
Royal Mile
970 m
Landmark
The Real Mary King's Close
740 m
Museum
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
1.06 km
Landmark
Calton Hill
970 m
Park
Princes Street Gardens
1.7 km
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
810 m
Store
Edinburgh Old Town
740 m
Landmark
Nelson Monument
980 m
Monument
Scott Monument
1.09 km
Museum
The Writers' Museum
970 m
Park
Holyrood Park
930 m
Museum
Gladstone's Land
950 m
Landmark
Surgeons' Hall Museums
750 m
Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2.47 km
Landmark
Brass Rubbing Centre
600 m
Church
Mercat Cross
650 m
Gallery
City Art Centre
690 m
Landmark
Princes Street
1.15 km
Landmark
Royal Yacht Britannia
3.08 km
Landmark
The Scotch Whisky Experience
1.1 km
Landmark
Sherlock Holmes Statue
1.16 km
Nearby
Museum
Dynamic Earth
500 m
Museum
Museum of Childhood
410 m
Museum
John Knox House
400 m
Public Building
The Scottish Parliament
540 m
Restaurants
Howies Waterloo
210 m
29 Waterloo Place East end of Princes Street
The Lookout by The Gardener's Cottage
100 m
Carlton Hill
Howies Restaurant
230 m
10-14 Victoria St
COSMO Edinburgh
580 m
Omni centre
Slug & Lettuce
540 m
Omini Centre
Tony Macaroni
540 m
Omni Centre
Deli Fresco
360 m
41 Leith Street
The Playfair
570 m
Omni Centre Leith Walk
Cosmo
620 m
Restaurant
Explore Edinburgh
Local Highlights
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
13 minutes' walk
Showcases Scotland's history and culture. Features free admission and engaging exhibits for all ages.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
9 minutes' walk
Official residence of the Monarch. Offers guided tours and beautiful gardens to explore.
Arthur's Seat hike
25 minutes walking
An ancient volcano with panoramic views of Edinburgh. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Scottish National Gallery
16 minutes' walk
Home to a stunning collection of Scottish and international art. Free admission on most days.
Aerial Adventure at Vertical Descents
10 minutes' drive
Thrilling zip-lines and climbing walls for adventure seekers. Book in advance for the best experience.
Yoga at Ocean Terminal
15 minutes' drive
Relaxing yoga sessions overlooking the water. Perfect for stress relief and wellness.
Howies Restaurant
3 minutes' walk
Offers traditional Scottish dishes in a cozy setting. Reservations recommended for peak times.
COSMO Edinburgh
8 minutes' walk
A buffet-style eatery with diverse international cuisines. Great for families and large groups.
The Stand Comedy Club
12 minutes' walk
Known for its vibrant atmosphere and excellent stand-up performances. Check the schedule for shows.
The Bongo Club
10 minutes' walk
An eclectic venue for live music and club nights, catering to all ages. A lively nightlife option.
Getting around Scotland
City Centre
Edinburgh 8 min · 600 m
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI) 22 min · 14.1 km
Glasgow (GLA) 134 min · 89 km
Train
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 5 min · 400 m
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 200 m
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire villa for free.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Former name
altido observatory house
Guest Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about Joivy Observatory House & Apartment from previous guests about their experience.
Cleanliness
8.7/10
Comfort
9.5/10
Facilities
9.3/10
Free Wi-Fi
10.0/10
Location
9.2/10
Paid Wi-Fi
7.5/10
Staff
8.8/10
Value for money
8.6/10
Pros
Really good decoration
Beautiful view
Strategic location
Clean accommodation
Accessible appliances
Cons
Uncomfortable beds
Lack of privacy
Dark surroundings
Guest reviews
based on 31 reviews
8.7/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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