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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

2.5 star property

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Photo gallery for Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

A historic building with a stone facade, multiple windows, and a prominent corner turret.
Bar (on property)
Reception
An outdoor patio area with tables and chairs, a stone wall, and a blue cow sculpture.
Two people with backpacks in a building with a staircase and a hand sanitizer dispenser.

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
94 -116 Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1JN
  • Place, Grassmarket
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Royal Mile
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Edinburgh Castle
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

A narrow hallway with bunk beds on one side and a green wardrobe on the other.

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

A bunk bed in a hostel room with a yellow wall and a sign that reads "Safestay hostels".

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Large Single Bunk Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

A narrow hallway with bunk beds on one side and a green wardrobe on the other.

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Ensuite

A bunk bed in a hostel room with a yellow wall and a sign that reads "Safestay hostels".

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 6 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 6 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Bed in 2-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 2-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for 8-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

8-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

A bunk bed in a hostel room with a yellow wall and a sign that reads "Safestay hostels".

6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Quadruple Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Quadruple Room Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

A narrow hallway with bunk beds on one side and a green wardrobe on the other.

Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

Along with laundry facilities, this smoke-free hotel has a 24-hour front desk and a garden. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a vending machine.
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate offers 230 accommodations with air conditioning. This Edinburgh hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices). Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.
During your stay at Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate, you're just a quick walk from Royal Mile. Features include free WiFi in public areas and laundry facilities.
  • Free WiFi (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices))
  • Amenities include locker space, laundry facilities, and a terrace
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Royal Mile and 9 minutes by foot from Princes Street
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate offers its guests a terrace, a vending machine, and a garden. WiFi is free in public spaces. A complete renovation of Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate was completed in June 2024.

This Edinburgh hotel is smoke free.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • No on-site parking available

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

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.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Renovated entire property - June 2024
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shower

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Laptop workspace

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

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

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • 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.

  • Towels fee: EUR 4 per person, per stay (or guests may bring their own)

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 credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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.

Property is also known as

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hotel
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Edinburgh
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hotel Edinburgh

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 45 out of 145 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 37 out of 145 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 34 out of 145 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 145 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 20 out of 145 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
the rooms were spotless and the staff were courteous
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I do recommend this hostel. It is in old town, Edinburgh, and it was awesome. The location is good. You will really enjoy it. The only thing I didn’t like is the way the showers they were facing the wall a very hard to get wet.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Alan

Disliked: Cleanliness
2 shops local as well as a lively night club outside rooms 132 / 232 /332, Fellow guests pretty annoying with the sleep patterns & noise with lockers
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

OLIUL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Everything was good except the noise it was noisy till 4AM
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Rhojane

It was a great place. Near by at downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

SUTHASINEE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really near market, castles, museum and compare with the price I’ll give it 10/10
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Calvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place thank You
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darryl

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

Great location, perfect hostel for City Stays

Pleasant stay at the hostel. Having our own dorm was great and made it affordable for three people meeting up, visiting the City and just having a catch. Great location and close to the Cities parkrun that takes place on Saturday
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Jerilyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Felt safe and clean. Will definitely stay again if ever in Edinburgh.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Solange

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Over all a comfortable stay. It could definitely use some renovating and the stairs are strong concrete but molded oddly in certain areas. But the staff was extremely helpful and the area was very convenient for walking old Edinburgh.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

ENRICO

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

8/10 Good

Anne-Marie

Very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Elisabeth

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is amazing. Staff is very nice. The shared bathroom was not perfectly clean and a bit smelly, that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vineeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The only small hiccup was the shower water pressure, it felt a bit weak. Other than that, the place was clean, central, and the staff were friendly. overall great!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

melvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Can’t say enough good about this place. Our second stay here. Staff and management are wonderful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
good
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Hannah

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Beds and toilets were a little rickety, but otherwise it was pretty good. Convenient location, good staff, easy to get to places around it, and quite affordable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Alissa

Liked: Staff & service
Ok stay. Hostel close to things, but had a dirty ally cat feel. 4 person private room was so small. Basic metal bunk beds with a light on a power strip in the bunk. No handle to get up, no shelves or hooks to put things. Very tight quarters. Only 1 small rack of hooks in the room. Same for the community shower..4 hooks, no bench or shelf. Very small!! Rooms and bathrooms weren't super clean. There was something spilled down the head end of our bunk and the light fixure at me head hadn't been wiped in ages. Layer of black gunk around the lockers edges. Also, it was very noisy from the bar across the street to the squeaky door where people came in andout of all night long. We could hear ppl closings bathroom doorsand using the facilities at all times. Staff was friendly and there is a small foyer with sofas where a few ppl can hang out. Also a smalll dining area with 6 tables and benches where you could eat a sack meal.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Nadia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
clean, spacious room and toilet. Not enough hanging hooks. Windows MUST be changed, loud music comes from the pub in front until 3 A.M !!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Ganesh Pandian

Liked: Staff & service
Value for money except minor complaint.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I liked the closeness to pubs and clubs & the smoking area. I hated the bunk beds & the noise of the people in the room with me. I didn't sleep at all
Big reception area was good but the room was awful. I couldn't sleep, the bunk beds are noisy & uncomfy.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Liliane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
For just one night the hostel was ok. The only thing that bothered me was the large group of people who were together and talking very loudly and with music playing late at night.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Reygina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was easy to find ! The staff are all lovely and helpful ! Excellent location walking distance from everything ! A lot of toilets and washing facilities. Clean beds and lockers for your stuff ( bring your own lock ). Would recommend ear plugs because it’s right across from three sisters and they play live music until like 3 am but that’s no fault of the hostel at all! I was prepared by the reviews so I brought earplugs, eyelash and had a good night sleep. All in all good place and did the job 😁
Three sisters from the window
Hostel essentials !
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The only downside was the noise from the doors outside our room banging, and the conversations being had outside our room late at night and early in the morning. But for £40, what would we expect? We'd stay again, though.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service
It was clean but everything is a money grab, 5£ here 6£ there. It felt like I was going to get asked to bring my own toilet paper
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025