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a&o Hostel Edinburgh City

7.6
Very Good
(2247 reviews)

50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NE, United Kingdom

+44 131 524 1980

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Hotel Description

a&o Hostel Edinburgh City is a modern and vibrant hostel nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, located at 50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NE, United Kingdom. Situated just a minute's walk from the iconic Royal Mile, this welcoming hostel places guests in the heart of the action, with easy access to famous landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament. The surrounding area is lively and offers a unique blend of historic charm, pubs, shops, and restaurants. With its contemporary design and affordable accommodation options, a&o Hostel Edinburgh City is an ideal choice for both tourists and business travelers looking to experience Edinburgh’s rich cultural history while enjoying modern conveniences. The hostel offers a variety of bright, spacious rooms and dorms, each equipped with private bathrooms, free WiFi, lockers (padlock required), linens, towels, and shower gel. This ensures that guests enjoy both comfort and privacy during their stay. For those seeking a more self-sufficient experience, the rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, providing the flexibility to prepare meals on-site. A standout feature of the hostel is its lively all-day cafe/bar, where guests can unwind with a drink while enjoying pool tables, live sports TV, and a welcoming atmosphere. Guests can also take advantage of self-service laundry facilities for added convenience, making long stays more comfortable. The hostel is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their dogs or cats along for the stay, adding to the feeling of being at home. The property is also smoke-free and accessible, ensuring it meets the needs of a diverse range of travelers. The 24-hour front desk ensures that guests receive round-the-clock service, something not commonly found in many other accommodations in the area. Guests can also enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet each morning, fueling them for the day's adventures. The hostel’s central location makes it incredibly convenient for guests to explore Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is a mere 4-minute walk away, while other major attractions like the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, and Arthur’s Seat are easily accessible within a short walk or taxi ride. For those arriving by public transport, Edinburgh Waverley Station is just a 7-minute walk from the hostel, and Edinburgh Airport can be reached within 31 minutes by taxi or 38 minutes by public transport. The hostel also provides convenient connections to major transportation hubs, including Glasgow Airport, which is about an hour away by taxi. Whether visiting Edinburgh for a cultural getaway or a short stay, a&o Hostel Edinburgh City offers an excellent base, combining comfort, accessibility, and a fun atmosphere with its modern amenities and welcoming service. Guests will find themselves immersed in Edinburgh’s historic charm while enjoying a budget-friendly, modern stay that caters to all their needs.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. The rooms come with kitchenettes, providing guests the flexibility to prepare meals and feel at home during their stay.

2. Walking distance to the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland, making it an ideal base for exploring Edinburgh’s major attractions.

3. Just a 7-minute walk to the nearest train station, making it easy to get around the city or venture out to surrounding areas.

4. One of the few hotels in the area offering a 24-hour front desk, ensuring round-the-clock service for all guests.

5. A breakfast buffet is available daily, offering a great start to the day for guests.

6. The hostel is pet-friendly, allowing dogs and cats, so travelers can bring their furry companions along.

7. Equipped with free WiFi, lockers, linens, towels, and shower gel to ensure guests' comfort and convenience.

8. Self-service laundry facilities are available, offering guests a practical amenity for longer stays.

9. The hostel features a lively bar/cafe with pool tables and live sports TV, creating a fun and social environment for guests.

10. The hostel is smoke-free and accessible, catering to a wide range of guests with varying needs.

11. Edinburgh Waverley Station is within walking distance, making transportation convenient for guests arriving by train.

12. The property’s location puts it in close proximity to several restaurants, bars, and cultural landmarks, making it an ideal spot for tourists.

13. Guests can enjoy easy access to major transportation hubs, including Edinburgh and Glasgow airports.

14. No fitness center or spa available, but the central location offers many outdoor and cultural activities.

15. The hostel’s rooms and common areas are designed with modern, vibrant interiors, offering a comfortable and relaxed environment for guests.

10 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Edinburgh Castle
12 min
National Museum of Scotland
4 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
9 min
Royal Mile
4 min
Arthur's Seat
12 min

Nearest locations

Fogg's Restaurant Edinburgh
1 min
Whiski Bar & Restaurant
1 min
Monteiths
2 min
Civerinos Hunter Square (the original)
3 min
MUMS Great Comfort Food
4 min
Le Bistrot
4 min
Howies Restaurant
5 min
The Outsider Restaurant
5 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Check-out10:00
Location rating10
Nearest airportEdinburgh Airport
Travel time to airport31 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Booking.com

    $44

    Hostelworld

    $44

    Agoda

    $169

    LateRooms.com

    $152

    Stayforless

    $137

    Best Hotel Deals

    $137

Recommended properties nearby

Location

50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NE, United Kingdom

Airports:

Edinburgh Airport

Taxi: 31 min

Transit: 38 min

Glasgow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 21 min

Transit: 1 hr 28 min

Transit:

South Bridge

Walking: 5 min

Haymarket

Taxi: 11 min

Walking: 29 min

Edinburgh Waverley

Walking: 7 min

St Andrew Square

Walking: 14 min

Edinburgh

Walking: 14 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

Pet-friendly

Dogs allowed

Cats allowed

Services

Front desk

Baggage storage

Self-service laundry

Elevator

Languages spoken

English

Accessibility

Accessible

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Bar

Breakfast

Breakfast buffet

Vending machines

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi in public areas

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning

Kitchen

Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

6.6

10 reviews

Wonderful
1
Excellent
5
Good
2
Below Average
0
Not Good
2
Cover Image for Itchyfeettravelss

Itchyfeettravelss

3/5
This hostel is very clean and well thought out but unfortunately not the most social. It has a great beer garden but I didn’t really meet anyone. You do have to pay for your own linen because there is none. Staff were nice.

Room 4

Service 4

Location5

Cover Image for Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson

4/5
Somewhat satisfied with this hostel. Bedding was gross as we had to make our own beds which meant seeing how stained and yellow the pillow and duvet inserts were. But comfortable otherwise. Fun bar area, but lots of people from outside the hostel including some very young school groups. No quiet, comfortable chilling areas unfortunately.

AJ

Artemis J

5/5
So happy we booked this hostel! The location is amazing, it was so easy to come and go in to the city. The staff are super nice and gave great recommendations. The room was small but perfect for our situation. The bathroom is modern and clean. Linens were clean and comfy. Great hostel experience would recommend!

Cover Image for Neel Tullu

Neel Tullu

4/5
Good layout of the reception, lobby and the guest kitchen.The beds were very comfortable, with curtains to ensure privacy. I had booked a bed in 10 bed mixed dorm room and was pleasantly surprised to see 2 separate showers & toilets. Location is good too since it's 5-7min walk to Waverly Station with plenty of nearby cafes and pubs.Two changes I'd like to recommend:1) They give you linen at the reception and expect you to put fresh sheets on your beds which is unlike any other hostel I've been to. Guests can come at any time of the day/night, they are mostly tired from travel so a well made bed is all they're looking forward to rather than make one themselves2) I arrived at night so it was a bit difficult to navigate since the hostel entrance is at the lower end of a slope and Google maps shows the entire block as the hostel so maybe have a sign around the corners to make the hostel easier to locate.

Cover Image for Fatima S.

Fatima S.

3/5
If you are backpacking [solo traveler], this is very suitable and appropriate. The price is reasonable for a night stay. Have booked only a night stay on an 8-bed dormitory. The check-in was very smooth, they provide the bedsheet, pillowcase and towel upon check-in at the reception (you have to prepare your allocated bed). The reception and the common guest kitchen is available 24hrs. The lobby lounge space is great. Had a peaceful night sleep and was very very safe, below the bunk bed is a box where you can safely locked your belongings (make sure you bring your own padlock, otherwise it is also available for sale on the reception). The room had 2 showers and 2 toilets. Though a bar is situated down the hostel and open til dawn the music did not reach to our room. The male receptionist upon my check-in was very very polite and displayed the best professional attitude of customer service even all guests arrived at once. He made sure every guests needs and questions are accommodated and satisfied, and also suggests alternatives. [My bad, I couldn’t recall his name]Note: If are choosy or peaky and if you get disturb easily whenever other guests comes in this shared dormitory is not for you.

Cover Image for Anna Jinyoung Seo

Anna Jinyoung Seo

4/5
Overally great! The staff at check in desk were really nice & helpful. Room where we stayed were a bit small, but cleanly managed. But when we were having paid breakfast at the dining area, the lady in big black dress,looks like a kitchen manager, were really rude to me and kept doubting me like having food without paying bills even I showed my receipt and answered I scanned it. And then I told other room mates about this happened, then other guests agreed and been through same bad service from her. It was almost lovely time and experience in A&O hostel except her.

Cover Image for Rebekah Kidd

Rebekah Kidd

4/5
Despite a very late arrival after a delayed flight, the reception staff could not be more helpful. Room was a female dorm. Empty so my daughter and I had it to ourselves. Room was clean. Basic but with hot showers, toiletries and plenty of space. Breakfast was fine. Nothing special but plenty of choice. Did not stay long to appreciate the bar etc but would come again.

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Arran Armstrong

4/5
They charged a fair price, rooms were nice and modern. Located down Blackfriars Street just off the Royal Mile and around the corner from South Bridge street was a pretty central location for many of the things to do in Edinburgh. Pretty decent, did exactly what it needed to. Took ages to check in but understandable with 5 floors of rooms, so they could have employed more receptionists and had a larger reception to process everyone.

Cover Image for Timea Cselők

Timea Cselők

1/5
I had a terrible experience with the a&o hostel. I booked a bed in an 8-bed female dorm for 2 nights. When I arrived, for some reason, I was given a bed in a 4-bed room. The first night was fine, but on the second night, there were two men in the room. I reported my problem to the reception, but they couldn’t help because the hostel was full, and there were no available beds in a female-only room. They gave me an email address to file a complaint. The next day, I wrote to them, explaining that what happened was outrageous, and I requested compensation. However, they only reimbursed 43% of the second night's cost. Moreover, the kitchen was unusable, and the cleanliness left much to be desired. I will not be going back.

Cover Image for Jenő Krisztián Kovács

Jenő Krisztián Kovács

1/5
The location is great, but everything else is bad. We've got a different room from the one we booked, and as it was full house, they were unable to change our room, which resulted in one of us sleeping on the floor... Very small rooms, very loud buildings, fairly clean. The breakfast is also below expectations. Will defo not coming back.

Room 1

Service 1

Location5