a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

2.0 star property
your current months are February, 2025 and March, 2025.
February 2025
March 2025

Photo gallery for a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Terrace/patio
Reception
Lobby sitting area
Exterior
Family Room

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1NE
  • Royal Mile
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • St. Giles' Cathedral
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • University of Edinburgh
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Room options

Twin Room

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

One Bed in a Dorm Room for 12 people

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

One Bed in a Dorm Room for 10 People

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

1 Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed

One Bed in a Dorm Room for 8 people

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

Quadruple Room (4 people)

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

Family Room

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

8-bed Room

  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

One Bed in a Dorm Room for 6 people

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

One Bed in a Dorm Room for 4 people

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

Triple (Bunk Bed & Single)

  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bunk Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

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 9 minutes by foot from Princes Street. .This hostel is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Edinburgh Castle and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from St. Giles' Cathedral.

What's nearby

  • Royal Mile - 3 min walk
  • University of Edinburgh - 6 min walk
  • Princes Street - 9 min walk
  • Edinburgh Castle - 12 min walk
  • Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre - 13 min walk

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

  • ‪Whiski Bar & Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Bannerman's Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Bar 50 - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The City Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Whistle Binkies - ‬3 min walk

About this property

a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Hostel with a 24-hour front desk, 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 available daily 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 and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Bar 50 - This pub serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.

Languages

English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Slovak, Spanish

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 daily 7:00 AM–11:00 AM: GBP 9.9 for adults and GBP 4.95 for children
  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 bar

Restaurants on site

  • Bar 50

Things to do

  • Bike parking
  • Bike storage
  • Billiards/pool table

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • ATM/banking services
  • Lift
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

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

More

  • 100% renewable energy
  • Annual offsets purchased for at least 10% of carbon footprint
  • At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally sourced
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • 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 only
  • Reusable tableware only
  • Smoke-free property
  • TV in lobby
  • Vegetarian dining options
  • Water dispenser

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bed sheets

Bathroom

  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Hairdryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower

More

  • Bulk dispenser for toiletries
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • LED light bulbs
  • Water-efficient showers only
  • Water-efficient toilets only

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, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products

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

a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 278 out of 999 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 398 out of 999 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 196 out of 999 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 72 out of 999 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 55 out of 999 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

2/10 Terrible

Jeno

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel decided to change our room to a worse one, due to high demand without prior notice. They say we should be grateful to get what we've got.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was perfect as a reasonably priced late booking compared to extortionate hotel prices if all you were looking for was a bed and a shower. I was lucky to get a bunk room for 4 on my own
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Aldo Amador

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good experience!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Freeman, Liverpool

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Celine

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Lakhwinder

Travelled with group
Average
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mery

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice cental clean accommodation
Good locations. Accommodation was clean but towels should be included.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

??????

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It's approximately 50 meters from the Royal Mile👍
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Jessica

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
The hotel was great especially the atmosphere. It was loud but Fine fest was alive and well so that's to be expected. No AC and the room got a little warm at times. Window didn't open very much, I imagine for safety. The staff were brilliant and helpful. Our biggest complaint was the shower. Dirty and visible black mold on the ceiling and walls.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We stayed in a private double room with its own bathroom. The location was wonderful as was the staff. I would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hostel not hostile
Great location, friendly helpful reception staff. Very good price. Downside, gave sheets that don't fit the mattress... It's been mentioned before, so why not do something about it hostel. But overall would recommend on accommodation on a budget.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Andre

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Yehoo

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Super loud, too expansive, seems like everything is designed to make as much noise as possible, not good for dorm situation especially when paying so much.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness
good location for fringe
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Holly

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Kimmie Dawn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This property was located in a good spot. The bar downstairs was fun. The breakfast buffet was not as expected. The rooms were terribly hot. We had a fan but it was clogged and dirty.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
10/10 Amazing Staff and great location
Amazing Staff and great location
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Stephanie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Staff was great at helping us out during an emergency. Hotel is very central located and easy to get to from the mile. Also good option for drinks and food at the hotel if you don’t want to venture out. Now the bathrooms are not ideal. Toilet and shower in the same room with water pooling and never properly draining.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great for a quick turnaround
I was barely in the property for 8 hours, it provided everything I needed: a bed, bathroom facilities and somewhere to get food and drink, would stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Laura, Sugar Land

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Only positive note is the location, very close to the royal mile. We got a room with bunk beds with bugs coming out of the shower drain....we had to wait a while out of the room in order to let them fumigate it... No discount applied, we were told that bugs are to be expected in the summer time. Oh, and you have to make your own beds, and the pillows and duvets are stained and gross... Definitely wouldn't stay here again, horrible place and overpriced.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Krisha

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Terrible beds
The beds were not good enough for a family room. The bunk bed had no bedsheet on and it did not have enough space to put bedsheet on because of the size of mattress and the bunk beds edges. The normal bed kept making cracking noises with each movement. It was not at all worth the money. The toilets were clean and the staff was good but the beds were unsatisfactory
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024