Experience the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in this vibrant hostel. Unwind over a meal at Bar 50 then challenge friends to a game of pool.
Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 5 min walk
Edinburgh Waverley Station - 7 min walk
Edinburgh Haymarket Station - 28 min walk
St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 11 min walk
Princes Street Tram Stop - 14 min walk
Balfour Street Tram Stop - 26 min walk
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
A&o Edinburgh City - Hostel puts you in a great location, within a short 10-minute walk of Royal Mile and University of Edinburgh. You can unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge, and the restaurant is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat. Other features include a snack bar/deli, a terrace and a garden. Fellow travellers love the helpful staff. Public transportation is only a short walk: St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 11 minutes and Princes Street Tram Stop is 14 minutes.
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Express check-out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
Children stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets allowed (dogs only, 1 total)*
Service animals welcome
Specific rooms only*
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:00 AM–11:00 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Snack bar/deli
Water dispenser
Travelling with children
Children stay for free (see details)
What to do
Pool table
Services
24-hour front desk
Tour/ticket assistance
Laundry facilities
Bike storage
Facilities
ATM/banking
Garden
Terrace
Television in common areas
Bike parking
At least 80% of food locally sourced
Vegetarian dining options
Annual offsets purchased for at least 10% of carbon footprint
Humane treatment of captive wild animals
Locally owned and organised tours and activities
Local artist showcase
At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
Local culture and ecosystem education
100% renewable energy
Double-glazed windows
At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
Comprehensive food waste policy
No plastic coffee stirrers
No plastic drinking straws
Water dispenser
Reusable cups only
Reusable tableware only
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible
Lift
Lift door width (centimetres): 235
Assistive listening devices available
Room amenities
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Eco-friendly toiletries
Hairdryer (on request)
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
Eco-friendly toiletries
Bulk dispenser for toiletries
LED light bulbs
Water-efficient showers only
Water-efficient toilets only
Special features
Dining
Bar 50 – This pub serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 9.9 for adults and GBP 4.95 for children
Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge of GBP 12.00 (subject to availability)
Late checkout can be arranged for an extra charge of GBP 12.00 (subject to availability)
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of GBP 12.00 per pet, per night
Policies
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products.
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Cashless transactions are available.
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
Frequently asked questions
Does a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel?
Yes, dogs are welcome, with a limit of 1 total. There's a charge of GBP 12.00 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.
What are the check-in and check-out times at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. There's a charge of GBP 12.00 for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 10 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of GBP 12.00 (subject to availability). Express check-out is available.
What is there to do at a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel and nearby?
A&o Edinburgh City - Hostel has a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant, Bar 50.
What's the area around a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel like?
A&o Edinburgh City - Hostel is in Old Town Edinburgh, a short 5-minute walk from Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) and 12 minutes' walk from Edinburgh Castle.
a&o Edinburgh City - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
7.6
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
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 Exceptional
3 January 2025
Great hostel.
Great hostel located in the center of old city, walking distance to everything. Our family of 5 rented an entire dorm room of 4 bunk beds and it was great. Each had a private curtain to pull and had 2 private showers and toilets in the room. A little loud in terms of thin walls and noisy floor when walking, but nothing a pair of ear plugs could not fix for light sleepers. Great bar attached made for a very fun place to hang out.
Angela
Angela, 3-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
4 November 2024
Staff were very good and the bar at the hostel is great. The food was lovely
Gerard
Gerard, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
9 October 2024
Great stay!
Grace
Grace, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
7 October 2024
Great clean facility - but noise from pub every night was very loud until the wee hours of the morning - very challenging !!
SHARON
SHARON, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
30 September 2024
Paul
Paul, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
2/10 Poor
28 September 2024
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.
Jeno
Jeno, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
23 September 2024
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
Andrew
Andrew, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
23 September 2024
Good experience!
Aldo Amador
Aldo Amador, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
19 September 2024
Freeman
Freeman, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
14 September 2024
Celine
Celine, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
7 September 2024
Average
Lakhwinder
Lakhwinder, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
2 September 2024
Nice cental clean accommodation
Good locations. Accommodation was clean but towels should be included.
Mery
Mery, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
30 August 2024
It's approximately 50 meters from the Royal Mile👍
??????
??????, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
25 August 2024
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.
Jessica
Jessica, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
16 August 2024
Jonathan
Jonathan, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
16 August 2024
We stayed in a private double room with its own bathroom. The location was wonderful as was the staff. I would stay again.
Jennifer
Jennifer, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
15 August 2024
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.
Mark
Mark, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
14 August 2024
Andre
Andre, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
14 August 2024
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.
Yehoo
Yehoo, 1-night trip
Verified Orbitz guest review
8/10 Very good
12 August 2024
good location for fringe
Dave
Dave, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
12 August 2024
Holly
Holly, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
11 August 2024
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.
Kimmie Dawn
Kimmie Dawn, 6-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
10 August 2024
10/10 Amazing Staff and great location
Amazing Staff and great location
Jason
Jason, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
4 August 2024
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.
Stephanie
Stephanie, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
4 August 2024
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