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a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Free WiFi, bed sheets
Front of property
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served
Lobby sitting area
Reception

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View map
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1NE
  • Royal Mile
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • University of Edinburgh
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Edinburgh Castle
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room

Twin Room

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Quadruple Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Quadruple Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Quadruple Room

7.2 out of 10
Good
(10 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed and 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

6-Bed Room (Bunk Beds Only)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for 8-Bed Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

8-Bed Room

  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Single Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 6-Bed Dormitory

  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory

Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 22 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Similar properties

Front of property

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh

  • Free WiFi
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Laundry
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,014 reviews
The price is NZ$282
includes taxes & fees
12 Oct - 13 Oct
CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh

About the area

Edinburgh

With a stay at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel, you'll be centrally located in Edinburgh, just a 3-minute walk from Royal Mile and 12 minutes by foot from Edinburgh Castle. .This hostel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from University of Edinburgh and 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Grassmarket.
View more Hostels in EdinburghOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Royal Mile - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • University of Edinburgh - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Grassmarket - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Princes Street - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 12 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 5 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 11 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bannerman's Bar - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Cabaret Voltaire - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Burrito 'n Shakes - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The City Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Edinburgh Larder - ‬2 min walk

About this property

a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Hostel with a restaurant, steps from Royal Mile
A&o Edinburgh City - Hostel offers 132 accommodations. This Edinburgh hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.
Make yourself at home in one of the 132 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers.
Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access. This hostel also features a television in a common area, tour/ticket assistance, and a vending machine.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include express check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and on weekends between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Bar 50 - This pub serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekends; GBP 9.90 for adults and GBP 4.95 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Bar 50

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage
  • Billiards/pool table
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Laundry facilities
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Lift (235 centimetre wide door)

More

  • 100% renewable energy
  • Annual offsets purchased for at least 10% of carbon footprint
  • At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Humane treatment of captive wild animals
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options
  • Water dispenser usage encouraged

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shower

More

  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • LED lighting
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: GBP 12.00
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: GBP 12.00
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 12.00 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately GBP 9.9 for adults and GBP 4.95 for children
  • Pet fee: GBP 12.00 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: GBP 12.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: GBP 12.00 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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 major credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Smart City Hostels Edinburgh
Smart Hostels Hostel Edinburgh City
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh Hotel Edinburgh
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh Scotland
Smart City Hostels Safestay Hostel Edinburgh
Smart City Hostels Safestay Hostel
Smart City Hostels Safestay Edinburgh
Smart City Hostels Safestay
Smart City Hostels by Safestay
Safestay Edinburgh Royal Mile Edinburgh
Smart City Hostels by Safestay
Safestay Edinburgh Royal Mile Hostel
Safestay Royal Mile Hostel
Safestay Royal Mile
Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Safestay Edinburgh Royal Mile
Safestay Edinburgh
Smart City Hostels Edinburgh
a o Edinburgh City
a o Edinburgh City Hostel
Safestay Edinburgh Royal Mile
a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel Edinburgh

Reviews

a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel Reviews

7.6

Good

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 278 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 397 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 193 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 73 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 61 out of 1002 reviews

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Gillian

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My bed was broken the curtain bar was hanging off it. My special requests we compleatly ignored. I fully understand you cant alswy be goven them but to not even day im sorry we cant fo that foe you is shocking. Only asked for a bottom bunk because i have medical conditions and climbing would leave me in pain i also jeed to use loo often so its more disturbance fro. Top for all in room. It was extremely hard to find even google maps tried to get me to jump off a bridge to get to it. When i was there i couldnt find the entrance lucky a staff member came out to the bin. You need to make your own bed when you arrive so for someone like me arriving nearer 1am and the 2 that arrived later than me thats even more noise and shaking the buk that someone is already sleeping in. I wouldnt use them again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Neil

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice place
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Maria Beatrice

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location in the Old Town, clean and buzzing, lovely staff
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Daniel

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Michelle

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The people at the service desk were so wonderful and helpful. They let us store our luggage since we arrived before check in. They showed us where things were in the building and access to lifts so we could avoid hauling luggage up the stairs. The facilities and our room were kept clean. Our room was very cramped and tight, which we expected, but that was my only complaint. We had no room to open or lay out our suitcases. The 2 main beds were made up, but the bunk beds we had to put sheets on ourselves, which I didn't like. Overall a good stay and I would go back again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Keriann

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent area in Old Town! They let us check in early and store our bags and gave us excellent directions to catch the bus to the airport from near the Scott monument. We were so tired from the 19,000 steps we got in daily that we were able to sleep well through the bar music(which was present til 1am but relatively quiet.) We felt safe, with our 3 young adult children…and that’s equal on our list with cleanliness. Thanks A&O on Blackfriars street in Edinburgh (sooooo close to the center of the Royal mile (and Edinburgh castle and King Arthur’s Sear and Holyrood Palace)
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Mackenzie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Jasmine Eleanore

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The Bar beneath the property was very loud and made sleeping terribly hard. The price for renting any kind of appliance was pretty high for the condition they were in (given, I didn't exactly expect new, super fluffy Towels that smelled of Roses but, at least without stains and holes would have been nice and the Hairdryer was not much of a help with drying my hair either). The 'privacy curtains' were a Joke given the didn't close properly or reach the matress.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Honie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Amazing staff!

Great staff and convient location! Great job! Thank you all!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jake

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not suitable for families

Family rooms are not very suitable. Mirrored something like a prison cell. Kids had to make their own beds as only one bed had been dressed. No facilities in the room bar the bathroom sink which is located outside the bathroom door.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Margaret

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
I saw that my opinion and satisfying DOESN'T MATTER........ what else opinion You needed?
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rajat

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really like to stay, it was really clean and the staff is really, really helpful
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Matthew

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Micheal

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Rugby refuge

Very adequate while there for a rugby match. Excellent location just off the royal mile. Very safe and secure
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hostel.

Great hostel located in the center of old city, walking distance to everything. Our family of 5 rented an entire dorm room of 4 bunk beds and it was great. Each had a private curtain to pull and had 2 private showers and toilets in the room. A little loud in terms of thin walls and noisy floor when walking, but nothing a pair of ear plugs could not fix for light sleepers. Great bar attached made for a very fun place to hang out.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Bramble

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
My first solo trip, I was nervous about the concept of a hostel but a&o made it easy and made every opportunity to make available help known to me. My key card unfortunately stopped working but thankfully I only came and went once from my dorm so no real fault to place.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Liam

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Saskia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Rooms were quite modern, great place to just lay our head down. Very good price. Got towels in the room and soap. Would definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Fanny

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
La estancia fue increíble, súper accesible, el staff es muy amable, súper limpio todo y es de los mejores hostales
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Quynh

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like the area. Easy to get around to other places and very close to shopping center.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerard

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very good and the bar at the hostel is great. The food was lovely
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Grace

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

SHARON

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great clean facility - but noise from pub every night was very loud until the wee hours of the morning - very challenging !!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Paul

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024