EDINBURGH HOSTELS - Reviews
Pentland Hills, get there by City Bus
The centre of Edinburgh is compact, and all central hostels are within walking distance of most attractions including the Castle and Arthur's Seat, a short climb with a splendid view. Even within the city you keep getting glimpses of views across the Forth estuary to the hills beyond.
Hostels
If you want to be near everything, the hostels in the Royal Mile area, and in the New Town, are all suitable. We group others into East, West and South of the centre, but the East and West hostels are all within walking distance of the attractions, and all hostels are on regular bus routes to the centre.
Prices vary tremendously in Edinburgh; each hostel may have 5 or 10 different prices according to day of week, season, short or long-term stay, size of dorm etc. In general, expect to pay £15 to £18 per night.
Access throughout the 24 hours is available at probably all hostels.
If you are travelling by car, at nearly all hostels you must search for street parking available nearby during the night, but do watch the permitted hours.
During EDINBURGH FESTIVAL (August) and HOGMANAY (New Year) hostels are likely to be booked up weeks before, and charge much higher prices. Many hostels provide packages of accommodation plus tickets.
The Royal Mile (The Old Town)
Also known as High Street, this is the older quarter with lots of interest, including the Castle. There are lots of hostels in this area.
There are 3 hostels run by the Macbackpackers company. Castle Rock (close to the Castle) is large, High Street is perhaps the most friendly, and Royal Mile is not recommended for short-term visitors.
Address: 15 Johnston Terrace
Tel: 0131-2259666
Email: castlerock + AT + scotlands-top-hostels.com
Facilities: Friendly rather brash large hostel, lounges, video shows but no TV, games room w cheap internet, lg well-equipped kitchen, single-sex dorms.
UK Trail opinions: Sociable but not intimate; lots of common areas suitable for all tastes.
Reviewers' comments: Most people like it, but some think it's too large and impersonal; some complain long-termers reduce sociability; noisy at night.
Address: 8 Blackfriars St
Tel: 0131-557-3984
Email: highstreet + AT + scotlands-top-hostels.com
Facilities: Pleasant common room w stereo & piano; common room w video nights, no TV; lg kitchen w dining area; single-sex dorms; casual friendly atmos; free city tour.
UK Trail opinions: Well-regarded for sociability and fun; rather run-down but comfy.
Address: 105 High Street
Tel: 0131-5576120
Email: royalmile + AT + scotlandstophostels.com
Facilities: Small hostel with small common room, partial kitchen w dining area, most guests long-termers.
UK Trail opinions: Geared to long-termers who monopolise food storage, poor atmosphere, music rather booming.
Reviewers' comments: some reviewers have liked it; staff more interested in chatting to long termers.
There are 2 Brodies hostels which are owned by the same company and run as one, so if you particularly want to stay in one of them, make that clear when you book. (Note: Booking on the internet doesn't seem to distinguish between them). They may tell you that Brodies 1 is lower-cost, large-dorms and noisier, while Brodies 93 is quieter. We would definitely recommend Brodies 1 for sociability and friendliness, while Brodies 93 includes private rooms which favour families and couples who are less sociable, and also lots of long-termers. Brodies 93 looks nice but has received several poor reviews which mention uncomfortable beds, door noises and water pipe noises. Reviews seem to mix up the 2 hostels.
Address: 12 High Street
Tel: 0131-556-6770
Facilities: Sociable, homely common room, stereo & fire, moderate well-equipped kitchen & dining area, mixed dorms, comfy beds, lively staff.
UK Trail opinions: Bathrooms small, dorms large but some are spacious, lively atmosphere. But now when you book you might get their other hostel..
Address: 93 High St
Facilities: Pleasant lounge w internet, backgrnd music. V pleasant moderate well-equipped kitchen/dining area.
UK Trail opinions: Looks nice in reception area, potentially very sociable, but tends to attract quieter clientele.
Reviewers' comments: Most reviewers are negative: uncomfortable beds, night noises, showers not hot, 3 said dirty.
Close to High Street and the rail station are:
Address: 9-13 Market St
Tel: 020-7407-1856
Email: bookings + AT + st-christophers.co.uk
Facilities: Common room w TV, 2 bars, dorms 2-10 beds, clean, no kitchen, mini-breakfast.
Reviewers' comments: Common room not pleasant, guests not friendly, street noise, staff pleasant & very helpful. People who like bars are enthusiastic.
Address: 65 Cockburn St
Tel: 0131-220-1717
Email: info + AT + hoppo.com
Facilities: Bright & clean, common room w pool, common room with dominant TV, moderate kitchen, laundry, mixed dorms.
Reviewers' comments: Great atmosphere, helpful staff, friendly & relaxed, but kitchen too small.
Cowgate is parallel to High Street and is a nightclub area, and several hostels are located here, including several impressive new large hostels:
Address: 50 Blackfriars St
Tel: 0131-524-1989
Email: info + AT + smartcityhostels.com
Facilities: £9.50 (2008), internet lounge, roof terrace, courtyard, equipped kitchen, cafe (moderate price), car park overnight £3.
Address: Robertson's Close, Cowgate
Tel: 0870-155-3255
Facilities: £18.50(2007). Midsummer only. Single rooms. Kitchen..
UK Trail opinions: Good value for single room accommodation..
Address: 15 Cowgatehead
Tel: 0131-2266351
Facilities: Large hostel, lively atmosphere, reception w internet & music, several kitchens/dining rooms, some with TV & pool, laundry, common room w lg TV & DVD, enthusiastic staff, tours & pub crawls.
UK Trail opinions: Not cosy, could be good for sociability but too many TVs.
Reviewers' comments: Mixed reviews, some people like it; we'd appreciate your opinions if you have stayed there.
Address: 96-112 Cowgate
Tel: 0131-2262153
Email: lee + AT + eastgatehostel.com
Facilities: Small units with dorms, kitchen/diner, some have TV; common room with internet, free coffee/tea.
UK Trail opinions: Sociable within the small units but the TVs may be annoying; you wont generally meet other people in the hostel. Some apartments occupied by long-stayers.
Reviewers' comments: A reviewer says: If alone, my heart would sink on arrival.
Address: 3/1 College Wynd, Cowgate
Facilities: £22 (2008). SUMMER UNI VACATION ONLY. Single or twin rooms in apartments for 4-12, equipped kitchen, lounge.
UK Trail opinions: Each apartment could be sociable. Expensive for a hostel, but good value if you want a single or twin private room.
The New Town
This is the central shopping area, centred on the famous Princes Street with the Scott Monument and a park along one side. There are several hostels in this area:
Address: 4 Queensferry Street
Tel: 0131-226-2939
Facilities: Lg kitchen & TV lounge, other kitchen & TV lounge, bar.
UK Trail opinions: Consistently poor reviews w lots of complaints eg no curtains, bathrooms dirty, poor bar. Staff friendly. Some reviewers like it. Stay there if you've nowhere else..
The next 2 hostels are in the SAME BUILDING up the same staircase. After climbing several flights you first come to the small compact City Centre Hostel, which is pleasant enough; then one floor up gets you to the funky Princes Street East Backpackers:
Address: 5 West Register St
Facilities: On 2nd floor in SAME BUILDING as Princes St E..
UK Trail opinions: When we saw it, very small common area w TV.
Address: 5 West Register St
Tel: 0131-5566894
Email: hostelenvironment + AT + easynet.co.uk
Facilities: Games room w TV, TV lounge, dining room & kitchen, mixed dorms, late parties.
UK Trail opinions: A reviewer's comment 'A fun dump' sums it up..
Reviewers' comments: drinking parties, late nights, fun, not terrific facilities. Long-termers, friendly staff..
Last but not least, SYHA's new giant hostel is not far from Princes Street:
Address: 9 Haddington Place
Tel: 0131-524-2090
Facilities: SYHA's sparkling big new hostel, meals and self-catering kitchen, good views.
Reviewers' comments: Most reviewers liked most things. Kitchen good and well-equipped. Some said good value and good meals, others thought a bit expensive for a hostel, however several said it was more like a hotel. One said location not that great. One said no common room. One mentioned street noise at night even with windows closed.
West of the centre
Within moderate walking distance are the following hostels:
Address: 3 Clifton Terrace
Facilities: Central location, low cost. New ownership 2009..
UK Trail opinions: (We were unable to look round.).
Reviewers' comments: Loads of negative comments in the past, but recent reviews are much better. General opinion is: OK, some like it, one would prefer a 'nicer hostel'..
Address: 6/8 Douglas Gardens
Tel: 0131-225-6209
Email: info + AT + hoppo.com
Facilities: Old church, unique character; dorms with partitions ; large common room w pool, moderate kitchen, TV lounge.
UK Trail opinions: Building has character, but dorms built with partition walls, no ceilings or windows.
Reviewers' comments: Mixed reviews; noisy & lively, games & TV.
South of the centre:
Argyle Hostel has a bus to the centre and is a moderate walk to the Cowgate area:
Address: 14 Argyle Place
Tel: 0131-667-9991
Email: reception + AT + argyle-backpackers.co.uk
Facilities: 2 good-sized fully equipped kitchens w dining tables; conservatory w TV, internet room (£1.50/hr) w TV, outdoor table.
UK Trail opinions: Comfortable feel.
Reviewers' comments: Some say unwelcome feeling due to long-termers; another says staff are friendly and it's the sort of place to stay a week.
Other hostels:
Facilities: £11(2008). Under new ownership..
UK Trail opinions: Don't know much about it, but appears to be a hotel with dorm rooms. Bar with large TV. Seems good value..
Reviewers' comments: Squeaky beds..
Based on our own observations and reviews on several websites, we do not recommend any of the following hostels:
Address: 8 Blenheim Place, Royal Terrace
Tel: 0131-478-0007
Facilities: Lounge/dining room w TV & videos, 2 small kitchens, patio, mixed dorms.
UK Trail opinions: We thought the kitchens were tiny and poor, and the common room was only suitable for watching TV, but the guests were enthusiastic..
Reviewers' comments: All reliable reviews are bad. Reports of: tiny kitchens, kitchens & bathrooms dirty, 'mangy hostel', 'nasty hole', long-stayers..
Address: 87 Shandwick Place
Facilities: No kitchen or lounge..
Reviewers' comments: All reviews are bad. Several complaints about too many people booked in room, refusal to give refunds..
Address: 3 Clifton Terrace
Facilities: Central location, low cost. New ownership 2009..
UK Trail opinions: (We were unable to look round.).
Reviewers' comments: Loads of negative comments in the past, but recent reviews are much better. General opinion is: OK, some like it, one would prefer a 'nicer hostel'..
North of Edinburgh
Firth of Forth from Hostel grounds
If you want to go to evening or nighttime activities in Edinburgh, you'd probably better stay away from the hostels on the north edge of the City. On the other hand, don't write them off, as the Globetrotter is in a beautiful situation with grounds with a widespread view up and down the Firth of Forth, and there are seafront walks. If you are travelling by car and just want a stopover in Edinburgh, this is by far the most convenient place to stay with its sizable car park. And it's quite easy to get to Edinburgh and back -- there is a frequent bus to Edinburgh (30 minute journey) and night buses, and the hostel runs a free shuttle bus hourly 0630-2230.
So what are you in for if you choose the Globetrotter? Well, you'll be sharing the car park with coaches, because this is a place where coach parties stay. It's a big enough hostel with room for all, but expect a lively atmosphere, with a bar and busy patio area, and several lounge areas.
Address: 46 Marine Drive, Cramond Foreshore
Facilities: Lg well-equipped kitchen, giant eating area, useful shop, meals, lg computer/phone room, DVD room w lg screen, medium lounge w TV, large bar w music & TV, lg lawn & patio w fabulous sea views, staff helpful, parking.
UK Trail opinions: Could be sociable; facilities for variety of tastes but may be dominated by large groups, coach tours, stag/hen parties.
Leith is a town with a fishing port on the Firth within the Edinburgh city bus routes, quite attractive for an evening. You could stay at Ocean Hostel, but with TVs in both common areas it's more set up for long-stayers and we do not recommend it for atmosphere:
Address: 55 Constitution St, Leith
Facilities: Equipped kitchen/dining with TV, common room with loud TV.
UK Trail opinions: We saw a lounge w very loud TV, a good kitchen/dining room w TV on, 4 people around, no staff evident. Not recommended for short-term travellers.
