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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

2.5 star property

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Front of property
Bar (on property)
Reception
Terrace/patio
Interior

Reviews

7.0 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
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Edinburgh Castle
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

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

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Single Bunk Beds

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

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

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Ensuite

  • Sleeps 1
  • 6 Single Beds

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

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

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

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Single Beds

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Single Beds

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

View all photos for Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Single Beds

Similar properties

Bar (on property)
CODE - The Court, Edinburgh
Old Town Edinburgh
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Breakfast available
  • Bar
  • Laundry room
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,081 reviews
The price is €109
includes taxes & fees
12 Apr - 13 Apr
CODE - The Court, Edinburgh

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 Edinburgh Castle. 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 Grassmarket and 10 minutes by foot from Edinburgh Castle
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
  • Smoke-free property

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

7.0

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 115 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 32 out of 115 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 29 out of 115 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 115 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 115 reviews

6.8/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

6.2/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

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

2/10 Terrible

Claire

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I asked for an early check in and was not available on arrival. The staff were rude in regards to this. No customer service skills at all. We then came back around 4pm, got in our room with no electric. No pre warning even though the electric had been off since the previous day. We were told they couldnt do anything until someone arrived to fix it. Bare in mine we had 3 children. We then got given an extension lead under the door and a lamp. We had to get ready in the shared bathroom. When the electric was fixed our light bulb needed replacing. All this made us late for a reservation. We had no apology at all. We also had the worst sleep ever. People shouting, singing and running up and down corridors as well as music till almost 3am. Non of this was monitored. No signs to keep quiet or anything. Then at 3am i needed to use the bathroom and to my disgust someone was having sex in there. This is not family friendly in any way shape or form. Absolutely shocking.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

6/10 Okay

Meghan

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Desiree

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Adam

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

10/10 Excellent

Marlowe

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Erin

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Bryony

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deyanira

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Megan, Vancouver

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

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

8/10 Good

Solange

Travelled with family
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

10/10 Excellent

ENRICO, calagry

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

10/10 Excellent

janet

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Rhojane

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

8/10 Good

Ganesh Pandian

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Value for money except minor complaint.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Selima

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

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

8/10 Good

Nada

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

james

Disliked: Room comfort

An ok place to stay if you love to party

The biggest thing that made my stay not so enjoyable,is that the bar across the street was so loud you heard the music in the room. Therefore it made it a bit challenging to go to sleep at night. Also outside of the hostel in the smoking area, the ashtrays were full. I asked the staff where I could empty the ashtrays. The staff said they would empty the ashtrays and they finally emptied them a day later.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

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

8/10 Good

Eve

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

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

8/10 Good

Sydney

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hostel was very close to the heart of the city, so it was near shopping, food, and activities. We didn’t need public transport for anything except getting to the airport. The hostel is directly next door to an outdoor bar/music venue, so there was noise at all hours of the day. Since there is no A/C, the windows needed to stay open, so we were constantly hearing whatever was going on across the street. It didn’t bother us any, but it may bother you if you are a light sleeper and/or are traveling with children. My one critique of the hostel is that the bathrooms were quite dirty, and they smelled pretty bad.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025