Kick Ass Grassmarket

8.6
Excellent
(1331 reviews)

2 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2JA, United Kingdom

+44 131 226 6351

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Hotel Description

Kick Ass Grassmarket is a modern hostel situated in the lively Grassmarket area of Edinburgh, making it an ideal base for exploring the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Located at 2 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2JA, United Kingdom, this hostel offers easy access to popular landmarks such as the Edinburgh Castle, just a 7-minute walk away, and the famous Royal Mile, with its charming pubs, shops, and street performances. Guests will appreciate the proximity to the Scottish Parliament and the beautiful architecture that surrounds the area. The hostel itself exudes a laid-back and welcoming vibe, with its contemporary design and emphasis on comfort. The hotel’s relaxed ambiance makes it a perfect choice for travelers looking for both convenience and a cozy place to rest after a day of sightseeing. The rooms at Kick Ass Grassmarket are designed with comfort and practicality in mind. Dormitory rooms come with essential features like free WiFi, USB charging points, and lockers for guests' belongings. There are various room options available, with female-only dorms offering 8 beds and mixed dorms ranging from 4 to 12 beds, some featuring en suite bathrooms. The beds are equipped with linens, and towels are available for a surcharge. For those who prefer to cook their meals, the guest kitchen is well-equipped with fridges and freezers. Whether you're a solo traveler or part of a group, the hostel’s rooms offer a comfortable environment to relax and recharge. Kick Ass Grassmarket provides several amenities designed to enhance the guest experience. The on-site café and bar are popular gathering spots for guests, offering a place to relax, socialize, and enjoy a drink. A pool table adds a fun element to the bar, making it a great space to unwind after a day of exploration. The hostel offers free walking tours and pub crawls, providing guests with the chance to experience Edinburgh from a local’s perspective. With high-speed internet access and the option to use NFC mobile payments, the hostel ensures that guests have everything they need for a hassle-free stay. Conveniently located near several transportation options, Kick Ass Grassmarket makes it easy for guests to explore Edinburgh and beyond. The nearest public transit stop is just a 13-minute walk away, while the Edinburgh Waverley train station is only 15 minutes on foot. For those arriving by air, Edinburgh Airport is a 28-minute taxi ride from the hostel, and Glasgow Airport is an hour and 18 minutes away by taxi. With such easy access to public transportation, guests can easily reach the city’s top attractions, as well as venture out to nearby towns and destinations. The hostel takes guest safety seriously, with comprehensive health and safety measures in place. The property is smoke-free, and security features such as lockers ensure that personal belongings remain safe. Staff members are on hand to provide assistance and guidance, ensuring that all guests have a safe and enjoyable stay. The hostel also maintains a commitment to cleanliness, offering regular cleaning services and adhering to industry standards for health and hygiene. When staying at Kick Ass Grassmarket, guests have plenty of activities and experiences to enjoy, both on-site and nearby. The hostel’s proximity to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle offers countless opportunities for sightseeing, while the local pubs and shops provide a great way to experience Edinburgh’s lively atmosphere. Whether you enjoy history, shopping, or nightlife, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant area. Nearby attractions include some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks. In addition to the Edinburgh Castle, which is just a short walk away, guests can visit the National Museum of Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Arthur's Seat, offering stunning panoramic views of the city. For a unique experience, take a stroll down the Royal Mile or explore the National War Museum of Scotland located within Edinburgh Castle. When it comes to dining, Kick Ass Grassmarket is surrounded by several top-notch restaurants. Amber Restaurant, a Scottish eatery just 6 minutes away by taxi, offers a delightful culinary experience with locally sourced ingredients. MUMS Great Comfort Food, also a Scottish restaurant, is just a 4-minute taxi ride away, serving hearty, comforting dishes. For a taste of French cuisine, Petit Paris, located just a minute away by taxi, provides a charming and cozy dining experience. Makars Mash Bar and Howies Restaurant, both offering classic Scottish fare, are also within 6 minutes by taxi. With its prime location, friendly atmosphere, and outstanding amenities, Kick Ass Grassmarket is the perfect place to stay for travelers looking to experience the best of Edinburgh. Whether you’re here for a short stay or a longer visit, this modern hostel offers everything you need for a memorable and comfortable trip to Scotland’s capital city.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Walking distance to Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile

2. 13-minute walk to nearest public transit

3. Guests praised the kitchenettes but some complained about the air conditioning

4. Guests liked the service

5. Guests mentioned 'cafés' 37 times

6. Guests liked the nightlife

7. Guests praised the bar

8. Well-equipped guest kitchen with fridges and freezers

9. Free walking tours and pub crawls available

10. Air conditioning available in some rooms


10 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Edinburgh Castle
6 min
National Museum of Scotland
7 min
Royal Mile
6 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
9 min
Arthur's Seat
17 min

Nearest locations

Petit Paris
1 min
MUMS Great Comfort Food
4 min
The Outsider Restaurant
5 min
Mariachi Restaurant
5 min
Vittoria on the Bridge
5 min
Amber Restaurant
6 min
Makars Mash Bar
6 min
Howies Restaurant
6 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Check-out10:00
Location rating10
Nearest airportEdinburgh Airport
Travel time to airport28 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $259

    Booking.com

    $82

    Hostelworld

    $82

    LateRooms.com

    $210

    Hotels.com

    $236

    Expedia.com.vn

    $236


Location

2 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2JA, United Kingdom

Airports:

Edinburgh Airport

Taxi: 28 min

Transit: 36 min

Glasgow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 18 min

Transit: 1 hr 36 min

Transit:

West Port

Walking: 1 min

Grassmarket

Walking: 2 min

Haymarket

Taxi: 8 min

Walking: 19 min

Edinburgh Waverley

Walking: 15 min

Lauriston Building

Walking: 6 min


Nearby locations

10

Exceptional Location

Edinburgh Old Town

Lively area with Edinburgh Castle & Scottish Parliament, plus pubs & shops along the Royal Mile.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Services

Front desk

Parking & transportation

Parking

Self parking

Accessibility

Not accessible

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Credit cards

Debit cards

NFC mobile payments

Cash

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

Air conditioning in some rooms

Kitchen


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

8.2

10 reviews

Wonderful
3
Excellent
5
Good
2
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
Cover Image for Mr. Shah

Mr. Shah

4/5
Hostel is ok but the location is amazing. Full marks for location as royal mile and all tourist attractions are just a walk away. Hop on and hop off bus stop is 2 minutes walk from this hostel. The cat cafe is just opposite to the building. Rooms can be made better. The beds don't have curtains for privacy that is required. Storage lockers some of them were not working and also breakfast not that great. It was just 5 pounds for a continental breakfast but not good. Best point was location. Also they do not have late checkout for shared rooms. Late checkout is only available for private rooms. A decent stay and amazing location.

Cover Image for Seni 2r

Seni 2r

3/5
People were welcoming and the pods really give you a lot of intimacy. The curtains are opaque so you won't be bothered by the light, I had a great night. Don't forget to bring your earplugs, because of course doors are getting opened and closed every now and then.However for the price (60 euros for a night in a 16 pods room), I would haveexpected cleaner showers, with better water flow. You'll have to bring your own towel too, but the bed sheets are provided. I was also surprised by the size of the hostel. It is a 3 floor hostel with a lots of room, so don't expect something really intimate either.

Cover Image for Nora B

Nora B

5/5
Honestly 5-star-hotel for a backpacker. I stayed in the pod and it was amazing. You can see for yourself in the video how they thought of everything, even the lights, it feels like your room. And it was only less than $30 a night, which is such a steal. I loved this hostel so much, it's so close to everything you can walk anywhere and it's extremely safe. You get the best views, and the best night sleep.I was so sad because I wanted to extend my stay but they were full :( definitely staying here again when I'm back.Just be prepared for the stairmaster because you have to take the stairs up to the 3rd floor, no elevator. Also I wouldn't get the breakfast as it's very simple. I love Kick Ass 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Cover Image for Itchyfeettravelss

Itchyfeettravelss

5/5
I love this hostel !! I’ve never stayed at a hostel that I’ve loved as much as this one. The rooms are so cool, I stayed in the pod dorms. It is so easy to meet people because they have an activity basically every night. I have stayed here more than once and would definitely recommend and return. The only downside if the showers but it’s not even that bad.

Cover Image for Shanta Storms

Shanta Storms

4/5
Stayed at this hostel and had an overall pleasant experience, the pods were roomy enough and the bathrooms were clean. The staff was generally very friendly and helpful. My only complaint was that I was immediately escorted out onto the street upon checking out, my flight was not for another few hours so I was asking if I could at least wait in the lobby for a bit while I got my things together. Which I understand if that's just hostel protocol that you must leave upon checking out, but I wish that was communicated to me instead of just being escorted out into the street.

MH

Meryam H

4/5
I stayed at this hostel for the weekend. So in terms of location I found it perfect, everything can be done on foot. The cleanliness is impeccable, nothing to complain about, I stayed in a "women only" room with 12 beds. …

ES

Elizabeth S

4/5
Overall, excellent hostel. Location is EPIC (within walking distance to most major sites), staff was friendly and helpful, and hostel was kept quite clean. My only complaint was my bedding could have been cleaner, and bed was not that comfy. But if a hostel is what you want, highly recommend this place!

Cover Image for Gizel Cenizal

Gizel Cenizal

3/5
A nice, clean hostel in a great location. Despite being in a room with about 20 people, the sleeping pods offered a lot of privacy. Compared to other hostels, the pods were quite spacious and I was able to sit up without hitting my head. I also appreciated the blackout curtains and the shelves/hooks that allowed me to keep my things nearby. Not to mention, the hostel was only a short walk away from Edinburgh Castle and other great shops. It was super convenient to have everything so close by.This would have been a perfect hostel had it not been for the lack of elevators, a feature which was not advertised to me when booking my room. If I had known this beforehand, I definitely would have reconsidered my stay. I certainly did not enjoy carrying my heavy luggage up 3 floors. At the very least, we were allowed to keep our larger bags in their storage free of charge which was a nice accommodation considering the circumstance. Another issue I had was with the showers which required you to push a button every 10 seconds just for water to come out. While not a dealbreaker it was definitely annoying.If you can overlook having no elevators and tedious showers, totally recommend.

Cover Image for vanessa miranda

vanessa miranda

4/5
Location is fantastic! I had read in other reviews about the bunks get quite warm which turned out to be true for me as well. Once you close your door, there is no air circulation. That said, the convenient location and the pricing makes this place a win for me. Another plus was that they allowed me to use the shower even before check-in and gave me a token to use the lockers to store my stuff before check-in time. Shared showers and bathroom were clean. Only other note is that the built-in hair dryer did not work. I improvised and used the automatic hand dryer to dry my hair :D

Cover Image for Marietta Antonov

Marietta Antonov

5/5
I stayed with my mom for a week and will definitely be back.Staff was super friendly, the amount of bathrooms is amazing literally never have to wait to use bathroom nor take a shower. Room was very clean only poor thing was air quality but window was open whole time so wasn’t much of an issue.Fun activities whole week everyday something new. Even has few games if you want to spend some quality time with friends or people you meet.Breakfast was good, nothing fancy just simple. Kitchen area is just great can cook every meal if you wish to. Also have a laundry room which you can use.Location is great literally 10-20 min walk to everything and a grocery store few minutes away.Unfortunately isn’t very accessible for wheelchair users so wouldn’t recommend if you use one.