Argyle Backpackers

8.0
Excellent
(269 reviews)

14 Argyle Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1JL, United Kingdom

+44 131 667 9991

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Hotel Description

Argyle Backpackers, located at 14 Argyle Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1JL, United Kingdom, is a charming and down-to-earth hostel set in two Victorian townhouses in the heart of Edinburgh. This welcoming and affordable hostel is perfectly positioned for visitors seeking a convenient and comfortable base from which to explore the city. Just an 8-minute walk from the University of Edinburgh and 1.6 miles from the historic Edinburgh Castle, guests will find themselves surrounded by the rich culture, history, and beauty that Edinburgh has to offer. The area is brimming with attractions, such as the National Museum of Scotland and the scenic Greyfriars Kirkyard, both within walking distance. The hostel’s design reflects a laid-back, cozy atmosphere with a focus on simplicity and comfort, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers and students visiting the city.

The rooms at Argyle Backpackers come in a variety of configurations, including both single-sex and mixed dormitories, as well as private rooms for those seeking extra privacy. Each room is thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind, featuring clean, simple decor, and a welcoming ambiance that encourages relaxation. The dorms are equipped with essential amenities, including free Wi-Fi, locker access, and linens. Some rooms offer the added convenience of flat-screen TVs. Though the hostel offers shared bathroom facilities, towels can be rented for a small fee, ensuring that guests can enjoy their stay without hassle.

Argyle Backpackers goes the extra mile with its standout amenities, such as a fully equipped kitchen, available for guests to prepare their meals. The hostel also offers complimentary tea and coffee, helping to keep guests refreshed during their stay. For added convenience, there are laundry facilities available, making it an excellent option for long-term stays or those on extended trips. The hostel’s friendly staff is always on hand to assist guests, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. A TV lounge and a relaxing garden area provide additional spaces for guests to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

In terms of accessibility, Argyle Backpackers is well-connected to the rest of the city. Public transportation options are plentiful, with Edinburgh Waverley station just a short taxi ride away (9 minutes). Edinburgh Airport can be reached by taxi in approximately 29 minutes, offering seamless access to and from the city. Guests can also easily reach other parts of the city via nearby bus stops and walking routes. For those venturing further, Glasgow Airport is about an hour and 20 minutes away by taxi.

As for health and safety, Argyle Backpackers prioritizes the well-being of its guests by maintaining a smoke-free environment and offering a safe, clean space for everyone. The hostel follows strict cleaning protocols to ensure that each room and common area is hygienic and inviting.

For those who wish to immerse themselves in local culture, there are plenty of things to do around the hostel. Whether it’s hiking up Arthur's Seat for stunning panoramic views of the city, exploring the nearby Royal Mile with its quaint shops and eateries, or discovering the rich history at the National Museum of Scotland, there is something for everyone.

Notable nearby attractions include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Mile, all offering fascinating insights into Edinburgh's past. Guests can also visit the iconic Arthur's Seat, a dormant volcano offering scenic views of the city.

When it comes to dining, there are several fantastic restaurants nearby, including MUMS Great Comfort Food (just 6 minutes by taxi), offering delicious Scottish fare, and Fogg's Restaurant (6 minutes by taxi), serving a variety of tasty dishes. For those in the mood for Italian, Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar (5 minutes by taxi) provides a delightful selection of Italian classics. Guests can also check out Howies Restaurant (8 minutes by taxi) for more local Scottish cuisine.

Whether you’re visiting for a short stay or an extended trip, Argyle Backpackers offers a comfortable and affordable option that ensures a welcoming atmosphere and a memorable stay in Edinburgh. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this cozy hostel and all that Edinburgh has to offer. We invite you to book your stay today and experience everything this vibrant city has to offer!

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Guests praised the kitchenettes for being well-equipped and convenient for self-catering.

2. Walking distance to major attractions like the National Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars Kirkyard.

3. Guests highly mentioned the cleanliness and comfort of the showers, making for a pleasant experience.

4. The hostel's garden area was frequently mentioned in reviews, offering a peaceful spot to relax.

5. Located just 9 minutes by taxi to Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland's most famous landmarks.

6. The hostel is situated in a vibrant area, close to popular restaurants, cafes, and pubs.

7. Guests appreciated the friendly and helpful service from the hostel’s staff, enhancing the overall experience.

8. The hostel offers excellent value for money, with both dormitory and private room options available.

9. Proximity to public transport options, making it easy to explore the city and surrounding areas.

10. Complimentary tea and coffee are available to all guests, adding a nice touch of hospitality.


7.6 Very Good

Location rating

Top sights

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

Nearest locations

The Earl of Marchmont
1 min
Blonde Restaurant
4 min
Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar
5 min
MUMS Great Comfort Food
6 min
Fogg's Restaurant Edinburgh
6 min
The Outsider Restaurant
7 min
Howies Restaurant
8 min
Whiski Bar & Restaurant
8 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Check-out10:30
Location rating7.6
Nearest airportEdinburgh Airport
Travel time to airport29 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

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

    $104

    Booking.com

    $83

    Hostelworld

    $84

    Agoda

    $93

    Reserving

    $93

    LateRooms.com

    $93


Location

14 Argyle Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1JL, United Kingdom

Airports:

Edinburgh Airport

Taxi: 29 min

Transit: 46 min

Glasgow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 20 min

Transit: 1 hr 42 min

Transit:

Grange Cemetery

Walking: 6 min

Haymarket

Taxi: 10 min

Walking: 29 min

Edinburgh Waverley

Taxi: 9 min

Walking: 24 min

Edinburgh

Taxi: 12 min

Walking: 32 min

Warrender Park Road

Walking: 4 min


Nearby locations

7.6

Very Good Location

In 2 Victorian townhouses, this down-to-earth hostel is 8 minutes' walk from the University of Edinburgh and 1.6 miles from Edinburgh Castle.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Services

Full-service laundry

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

6.8

10 reviews

Wonderful
3
Excellent
3
Good
1
Below Average
1
Not Good
2
Cover Image for Arielle Todd

Arielle Todd

4/5
Staff was all very nice and helpful, the location is perfect and an easy walk to the royal mile. There's a great coffee/Breakfast spot just down the street and a grocery store the other way. An older building, but it was fine

Room 4

Service 4

Cover Image for Eloise Mitchell

Eloise Mitchell

5/5
Cute place! The location was great, close to the university and to get further into town you just walk through the park, which was a really pretty stroll. Our TV could have used an update but other than that everything was clean and in working order. If you have big suitcases just be aware there is no lift. Staff was kind and helpful. The garden was a great place to sit and relax and we even saw some friendly cats wander through :)

Cover Image for Alexander Coles

Alexander Coles

4/5
ProsExcellent kitchenGood community vibeHomely like feelGarden areaHospitable staffMy most enjoyable experience was cooking and sharing foods with others, or them having food shared with me.ConsThe rooms felt very budget like.No curtains or personal light and if some money was spent on making it capsule like, more beds could have been fitted in with greater amenities which is a win for everyone involved including the owners.The upstairs room *10* had a bad smell which I assume comes from there being a leak above where the sink is * I told someone*A staff member explained this could be caused by someone using the shower incorrectly.However if the bathroom was tanked correctly no water should drop through to the floor below regardless of water dripping on to the floor.Underneath the bed it was dusty and that meant any bags that did go underneath got caked in dust.The bathrooms were in need of refurbishment with one tap labelled not to turn on and the rest of having a lukewarm temperature, with only the hot one being downstairs.Overall it was a great experience, but I have to be honest and wish this feedback is used constructively.I recommend a stay here regardless of my honest feedback as other hostels in Edinburgh looked like military camps for a similar price.

F

FarAway18939939422

4/5
Just a 15-20 minute walk to the busy Old town of Edinburgh. Not much for shops nearby. Lovely meadow pathway across the road though. Close to the University. The hostel rooms and bathrooms were fairly sparse, but clean. …

Cover Image for Erin Cahue

Erin Cahue

2/5
Very simple accommodations. You definitely get what you pay for. As the photos online and on Google make it seem like the place is a lot nicer than it is. It wasn’t dirty necessarily just very cluttered in a lot of places of the house. The kitchen area was the dirtiest when it came down to it and could just benefit from some more ownership and organization and a replacement of the water damaged wooden cabinets.The private double room was fine it got the job done for the two nights I was there I appreciated that there are little sinks in the room as well and the bathrooms down the hall were always clean.Unfortunately it seems that the place is under a little bit of a struggle with management and the garden and common space is just not being taken care of, however I had a lovely stay there.The location was great and in a quiet area of the city with easy connections to the bus or walking distance to main areas.

Cover Image for Barry Parmo

Barry Parmo

3/5
Booked as no where else at a decent price within city area. Does the job if need somewhere to lay your head. As the name suggests suited to young backpackers happy with basics. Shared bathroom (bath and shower) on every floor. Common room with guitars, TV, games. Decent kitchen and dining area and little garden. Edinburgh is expensive anyway and the price reflects this, as its way overpriced for any other location.

Cover Image for Hannah Thun

Hannah Thun

5/5
I loved to stay here! The staff is really friendly and helpful and the place felt very cozy. It is clean and I met some nice people here. The Wifi is good, so I was able to do some remote work from the winter garden. I also like the whole area around and the park is close by.

Room 5

Service 5

Location5

Cover Image for Marina Soler

Marina Soler

1/5
Absolutely disgusting hostel! We’ve stayed in many hostels before and never seen anything like this. The amount of dirt the room and the shared bathroom had was insane. We payed 185 EUR for one night in this place. The smell of urine was everywhere! The bathroom had old used razors. We didn’t dare to shower there! They ask you to remove the already dirty sheets before leaving which helps you discover the dirt and stains of the duvets you’ve just used to sleep. Run away from this hostel!

Cover Image for Axelle Lisambert

Axelle Lisambert

1/5
I strongly advise you to avoid this place! The list of disappointments is long and we really regret choosing this hotel:- the trash can was full of waste when we arrived in the room- the toilet flushed half of the times- shelves covered with sticky liquid- the torn curtains, the carpet full of stains, the neglected garden, the cluttered and dirty spaces which look like a storage room- last but not least : the manager who turned off the light while we were eating, explaining to us that electricity was expensive!Even in a hotel for bagpackers there are minimum requirements to meet such as cleanliness and hospitality.

Cover Image for Melissa Hime

Melissa Hime

5/5
I had an excellent time staying there! The staff are really helpful and nice people! I had a clean and nice room and it was so close to town! I was walking everywhere

Room 5

Service 5

Location5