Along with a bar/lounge, this smoke-free hostel has a snack bar/deli and a coffee shop/cafe. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, laundry facilities, a 24-hour front desk, and an arcade/game room are onsite. Housekeeping is available once per stay.
Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel offers 43 accommodations. This Edinburgh hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is provided once per stay.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Edinburgh Castle. Free WiFi in public areas, a bar, and a coffee shop/cafe are available.
Free WiFi
Grab something to eat at the coffee shop/cafe or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
Breakfast served daily for a fee
Amenities include locker space, laundry facilities, and a multilingual staff
Steps from Grassmarket and 7 minutes by foot from Edinburgh Castle
Along with a coffee shop/cafe, there's a snack bar/deli on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. A terrace, a vending machine, and an arcade/game room are also featured at Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel. A complete renovation of Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel was completed in January 2024.
This Edinburgh hostel is smoke free.
For a fee, guests can enjoy local cuisine breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Daily local cuisine breakfast available 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee: GBP 6 per person
A bar/lounge
A coffee shop/cafe
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
TV in common areas
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Laundry facilities
Lockers
Luggage storage
Vending machine
Guest services
Housekeeping (once per stay)
Multilingual staff
Tour and ticket assistance
Outdoors
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Terrace
Accessibility
No lift
More
3 floors
Built in 2004
Renovated entire property - January 2024
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
More
Heating
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
All guests must show a valid passport or ID. This is the only form of identification that is accepted at this property.
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children younger than 18 are not allowed at this adults-only property. All guests 18 and older are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:
Deposit: GBP 40 per person
We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for local cuisine breakfast: approximately GBP 6 per person
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
Special cancellation policies or charges may apply for group reservations (more than 8 rooms for the same property / stay dates)
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation.
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
Please note that this property can refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, which include pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
This is an adults-only property and guests under 18 years old aren't allowed.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
Property is also known as
Budget Backpackers Hostel Edinburgh
Budget Backpackers Edinburgh
Budget Backpackers
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+ hostel)
Kick Ass Greyfriars Adults Only Hostel
Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel Edinburgh
Kick Ass Greyfriars - Adults Only - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
The hostel is clean and in a central location.
However with the hostel being situated around the night life area of the city. If you're looking for a quiet night this may not be the place for you.
Great location for exploring. Noisy outside on a Saturday night in August but would still recommend.
Ruth
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
Travelled with group
19 Jul 2025
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Ok…
We had the private 4 bedroom and let’s just say it was not great. Beds uncomfy, sketchy part of town, nice view of castle when leaving the hostel but other than that not many positives. The night we got there service was decent but the guy there was pushing us to subscribe to his YouTube channel in front of him before going up to our rooms. We also only received one towel for the four of us because they ran out. The rooms were disgustingly hot but we soon realized a lot of places in Scotland are not air conditioned. Not good temperature to sleep in. It is pretty central but overall I would not recommend. They also only have pocket sized fans for the heat. Don’t go here unless you are desperate like we were. Maybe I’m the winter it’s better when the sweltering heat actually works for you.
Conviniently located in the most vibrant part of town... has some great pubs, walking distance to grass market and many other locations. The property itself is well maintained...but one important thing to remember is that it is a hostel. We happened to have a private 3 bed room. But it was still extremely noisy from the drunk yelling in the street...and stomping their way back to their bunks...way into the early morning...very limited toilet and shower spaces for the amount of inhabitants.
Even though this was a "hostel", but it really exceeded our expecations. Room we got was quite big. The only complaint I had was the mattress had some hard bumps, it almost felt like it was upside down.
Tianlai
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
berenice
Travelled with partner
5 May 2025
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
This was a good place to stay for convenient and affordably but I do not like the idea of sharing so that is my personal problem. If you don't mind it, its a good place to stay
berenice
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Honie
3 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Amazing staff
I did not get to stay due to a card issue but they service was great on 2 MAY 2025. Great staff. They were very kind.
I am a senior male travelling Solo from Toronto, Canada - here on an annual 1 month holiday I take, since early retirement.
This year I visited UK for my first time.
Edinburgh was the last part of my 1 month exploring UK, and Kick Ass Greyfriars was an exceptional accommodation.
Staff were great, lodging very comfortable, I suggest buying their breakfast.
I will recommend this hostel.
Liked the Treehouse lounge and ability to sit and relax in the bar area or upstairs. Breakfast was also availabe if you wanted and lockers to hold your luggage if you came before check in
Hostel was absolutely great! Perfect distance from the city centre and their bar was very nice too. However, showers only ever seemed to be lukewarm or would fluctuate in temperature.
Excellent customer service, friendly and welcoming staff. Cleanliness was on point, shower and toilet facilities were cleaned very regularly and were spotless.
My family of four adults just needed a place to sleep after getting off a bus tour and before boarding an early flight. I booked a whole room, so we would have it to ourselves, but there are common bathrooms shared. Property was clean. We lucked out and got to take part in a trivia night in the bar. We lost but had fun. Food and drinks were good. Location is awesome. We roamed the streets and walked to the castle one last time before going to bed and catching our flight.
The Hostel is in a great walkable area near Grassmarket Edinburgh. Lots of local pubs and shops within blocks. Great location.
Compared to another hostel I stayed at in Glasgow, the Kick Ass had clean bathrooms, usable showers with good pressure & hot water.
Having a pub downstairs with food was quick and convenient.
Overall, a great and affordable place to stay if you dont mind bunking with other travelers. Everyone was nice and respectful in the dorms. No issues at all.
Clean place. Broken heat while weather was 0-1 degrees at night. Cold room and uncomfortable while moving throughout the space. Tried working with staff ti resolve the issue, solution was extra blankets. No warning or switch of room to have heat. No offers to make stay better.