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a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Check-in/check-out kiosk
Front of property
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served
Courtyard view

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Bar
  • Laundry room

Explore the area

View in a map
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1NE
  • Place, Royal Mile
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Edinburgh
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Princes Street
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

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 Single Bunk 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 Single 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 Single Bunk Bed

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 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Twin Room

Twin Room

Twin Room

  • 16 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single 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 Single Beds and 1 Single Bunk Bed

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 Single Bunk Bed and 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Twin room for Single use

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Twin room for Single use

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for 8-Bed Room

Free WiFi, bed sheets

8-Bed Room

  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for 6-Bed Room (Bunk Beds Only)

6-Bed Room (Bunk Beds Only)

6-Bed Room (Bunk Beds Only)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds

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About this property

a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel

Hostel with a restaurant, steps from Royal Mile
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hostel has a bar/lounge and a snack bar/deli. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, laundry facilities, a 24-hour front desk, and express check-out are onsite.
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.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Royal Mile. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas, plus a restaurant and a bar.
  • Free WiFi
  • Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
  • Buffet breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Amenities include laundry facilities, an elevator, and a terrace
  • Guests have great things to say about the helpful staff and the clean accommodations
  • Steps from Royal Mile and 12 minutes by foot from Edinburgh Castle
  • Dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. A terrace, a vending machine, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel.

This Edinburgh hostel is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy buffet breakfast on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 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 10 for adults and GBP 5 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 13
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: GBP 13
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 13 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 pets
  • Certain rooms only
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately GBP 10 for adults and GBP 5 for children
  • Pet fee: GBP 13 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: GBP 13 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: GBP 13 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

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. 286 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 388 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 188 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 77 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 61 out of 1000 reviews

7.8/10

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

Himanshi

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

THE PERFECT DORM EVER!

Really nice place, the staff was extremely helpful and friendly and welcoming! The girl on the first day was very sweet, the way she was handling all the customers was spectacular, v patient and really sweet and respectful! Krishna was also really nice and friendly and helpful! Overall the stay, beds, cleanliness everything was perfect!! It mad emt solo trip very comfortbale and exciting OH i forgot to mention the bar pub and the kareoke AMAZING 5 star ratings Live the drinks the vibe everything!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

SARAH

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect spot. Very close a lot of popular places and has a good bar attached to it. Also the staff is very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

WAI KI

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
I booked a room for 6 people but was given a room for 12 people. I found it very noisy. The guests made the beds in the middle of the night, which prevented me from sleeping. Some beds did not have sockets for charging.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Jerusha

advertising TV in private room but no TV’s were working. Hostel aware of this and didn’t inform me
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kerry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

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

HORRIFIC customer service and overcharged me by do

HORRIFIC customer service and overcharged me by double. I made a reservation to stay in a 10-bedroom dorm, and when I clicked to make the booking, I was told the rate was $37 for the night. Then, I was charged double once the booking was processed. I *immediately* called and asked them to refund me the difference, or otherwise cancel the reservation entirely. They refused, saying the booking was non-refundable. Their customer service, both via and email and in person, could not have been more rude either. STAY AWAY!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

shashi

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Towel only on extra payment. Bathrooms not so clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Yan

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Josue

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Yan

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Facilities old, toilet not working well, shower room dirty. Bonus points, walking distance to the train station and the old town, royal miles.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Robert, Beckenham

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The dorm that I was assigned was not like those illustrated. I specifically booked to stay here because all of the images include photos of bunks with curtains (I don't mind a dorm but I do think a curtain is pretty much essential to get a decent night's sleep). Also, the room shared a shower room with the dorm nextdoor which meant that fellow guests would often turn the lights on unexpectedly, etc.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Muhamad

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was only really here for 8 hours to sleep and shower but the vibe was great, the staff were friendly and very helpful, and even the toilets in the bar were clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Saya

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I appreciated that they had an easily accessible luggage room. Fortunately, my roommates were quite tidy, and the bathroom wasn’t in bad condition. However, I have to mention a serious flaw. I stayed in a room with eight double bunk beds, but the top bunks didn’t have any power outlets. I asked the person in the lower bunk if I could use one of the outlets near his bed (since each lower bunk had two), but because he had asked me out as soon as I arrived—and I declined—he simply ignored me. Leaving that individual aside, the real issue is the system itself. Guests shouldn’t have to negotiate with each other for something as essential as access to electricity. It’s a completely flawed setup. I won’t be staying here again. Tourists rely on their phones for navigation, communication, and planning—who would choose accommodation where there’s no guarantee you can even charge your device???
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sophia

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

Great location for the fringe

Great location, comfortable room and lots of entertainment at the hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jonathan

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

BOOKED ONLY TO BE TOLD THERES NO ROOM & NO REFUND

Absolutely appalling!!!!! Booked a room via hotels.com and when showing up to check in. I was told that there’s absolutely NO record of my reservation whatsoever in their system. And that they are totally fully booked. Not even room in the broom cupboard. Therefore I had to pay £380 for a taxi home (went door to door to other hotels but Edinburgh festival is on and all full) Having booked through hotels.com, I was told by the receptionist that I was the one that had to get in contact with Hotels.com to sort the refund. I have since been told from hotels.com that after speaking to the hostel, that they did indeed have my reservation (even though they didn’t when I showed up) and are now not going ahead with my refund! Funnily enough, I said this very thing to the receptionist and the person from Hotels.com that of course the hostel will say they had my reservation and “I didn’t turn up” and will no longer be eligible for a refund. How absolutely disgusting from both parties. Shocking, shocking, shocking
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Heather

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
It was reasonably clean, the shower was a little awkward being in a tiny rome shared with the toilet, it was difficult to keep anything dry, and there wasnt any other private space to change. The front desk clerks were lovely, kind, and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Janice

Travelled with group
When myself and friends checked in at reception we were told the room was different to the one booked! I had booked a quad room with 2 single beds and a set of bunk beds it had been changed to 2 sets of bunk beds bearing in mind I booked this in January and 2 of us could not get on the top bunk one of us had knee problems the other was 74 years old and couldn’t possibly get on the top bunk. I received no email to say the room had been changed and the receptionist said nothing could be done and didn’t seem bothered, we had to put the mattress on the floor so my friend could get some sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Peter

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
why?
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jenny

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort

Not for the faint hearted but would suit some!

To be fair we stayed on a very hot day during Edinburgh festival and didnt know the hostel was a venue. The room was far too hot (a fan maybe at least?) which meant we couldn't close the window without feeling like we were going to be cooked alive in our beds. Sadly the window was directly over the venue. A good place for the young or party goers or insomniacs.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jack

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Colette

Liked: Cleanliness
I took some of my own toiletries and some disappeared ( not by anyone staying as I had my own room)
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Sarah

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was great at the property. It had a few issues like a broken shower handle and the window opening to the bar, plus the keys were finicky, but it was really clean in the room and I felt really welcomed and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

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