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7.1

5,751 reviews

a&o Edinburgh City

a&o Edinburgh City

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE, United Kingdom

Choose dates to view prices

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Terrace

24-hour front desk

a&o Edinburgh City

Welcome to a&o Edinburgh City, where the vibrant heart of Scotland awaits just a breezy 0.5mi stroll from the iconic city center! Nestled at 50 Blackfriars Street, this charming 2-star hotel offers the perfect blend of affordability and fun for travelers eager to explore the rich cultural tapestry of Edinburgh. With a starting price that's easy on the wallet, you're just moments away from enchanting castles, eclectic shops, and lively streets brimming with history and entertainment.

When you're not out exploring, a&o Edinburgh City makes sure your stay is packed with delight. Enjoy complimentary WiFi as you share your adventures with friends (we know they’ll be jealous!), or kick back at the bar with a refreshing drink after a day of sightseeing. The hotel is also super family-friendly, offering kid-friendly buffets and exciting live performances that’ll keep the little ones entertained. Plus, for pet lovers, this hotel welcomes your furry friends (for just a small extra charge!).

With over 5,740 reviews showcasing the warm hospitality of the staff and the inviting ambiance, it's clear that guests leave with smiles and stories to tell. So whether you're seeking a cozy place to rest your head after a day of Edinburgh explorations or looking for a base to plan your next adventure, a&o Edinburgh City is ready to welcome you with open arms and a playlist of tunes!

When it comes to unwinding after an exciting day in Edinburgh, a&o Edinburgh City has you covered! Picture this: after a day of wandering through the cobbled streets and exploring historic sites, you can head to the hotel's bar, where the atmosphere is as lively as the city itself. Sip on a local beer or a cheeky cocktail while mingling with fellow travelers, exchanging travel tales and tips. Whether it's a hearty laugh or a quiet moment watching the world go by, this is the perfect spot to recharge your batteries and prepare for another adventure!

For families, fun never stops at a&o Edinburgh City! The kid-friendly buffet is sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters, serving a mix of tasty treats that will fuel their little explorers for the day ahead. And when the sun goes down, the excitement continues with live performances that are perfect for all ages. Gather around and enjoy a nightly show that could range from music to comedy, ensuring everyone leaves with happy hearts and unforgettable memories. It’s a great opportunity for parents to relax while their kids are entertained in a safe and friendly environment.

So why wait to experience the charm of a&o Edinburgh City? With its unbeatable location, welcoming vibes, and family-oriented activities, you'll find that adventures await around every corner, both in and around the hotel. Plus, with multiple payment methods available—yes, even cash for those who prefer to go old school—you can focus on enjoying your journey rather than fussing over finances. Book your stay today and get ready to create stories filled with laughter, exploration, and a sprinkle of Scottish magic!

Closest airports

Edinburgh Airport

7.2mi

Dundee Riverside Airport

35.3mi

Glasgow Airport

48.6mi

Most popular amenities

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Elevator

Kids' meals

Picnic area

Bathtub

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Rooms

Guest reviews

7.1

5,751 reviews

Categories of assessments

Cleanliness

Comfort

Location

Facilities

Staff

Value for money

WiFi quality

Breakfast

Featured reviews:

🇮🇪

Shauna

8.2

October 2023

Location was superb! Room was big for 2 people and the beds were very comfy! Also - there was plenty of towels which was great!

The housekeeping kept knocking numerous times and disturbing us. I presume it was different people. They even knocked when we had the do not disturb sign on the door.

🇨🇿

Kačenky

8.2

December 2024

Everyone from the staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, especially Isabela who worked during our breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning during our stay and the receptionist on Saturday afternoon who helped get our coffee to go :) The breakfast was really good, I was a bit afraid it will be messy in the bar after being open until 1am based on previous reviews but all was spotless clean and breakfast items were regularly topped up. The room was very nice and spacious and the location was amazing, right in the centre of everything you need and very close to all the bars, restaurants as well as train station. We would definitely recommend this hostel and stay again when in Edinburgh.

The only thing we can think of are the beds, the beds are quite squeaky but nothing that would bother us while sleeping.

🇭🇺

Trishabye

9.1

November 2024

The staff were very friendly and helpful :) The location is amazing, being 10 mins walk away from the railway station is so convenient! It was also great to be able to store my luggage for free. The breakfast buffet option is very reasonable and was good!

The ladders on the bunk beds feel a bit dangerous, especially if you get in on a late night. Some details should be more clear on the website, like the price for towels etc, it's not a big deal or anything, just nice to know. And for people who haven't stayed at a hostel before, maybe some tips about what to bring with you etc, specific to a&o but none of these are complaints by any means, just suggestions :) Maybe it sounds silly but I would have brought a lock for the storage crate if I knew I had to bring one (some hostels have lockers with keycodes so I thought it would be something like that). The only complaint I do have is the smell of the bathroom in the room, it trapped the urine smell for some reason, so maybe there needs to be some air freshener or bleach around.

🇹🇭

Kulpunyaloet

8.2

September 2024

Even though it's a hostel, the bathroom was shared only with the six people in the room, and there were two shower rooms—one large and one small. The larger one was big enough for a wheelchair. The room itself was spacious, with storage available, though you need to bring your own padlock. You are provided with sheets and pillowcases to make the bed yourself. Everything was very clean, although the beds weren’t great. The room required a keycard for entry, so it was secure. There was also an elevator and a storage room available.

As I mentioned, the beds weren’t great. The location wasn’t far from the train station, but the path was very steep, which could be difficult for those with a lot of luggage. The price per bed still felt a bit expensive for a hostel and could have been cheaper. At the beginning, there was an issue with the keycard to enter the room, but the staff resolved it well.

🇺🇸

Nina

8.2

September 2024

The location is great. Quite easy to get to everything. It's nice that we have a private bathroom inside our unit and there is a desk too. The ceiling was high enough so people on the upper beds did not have the danger of bumping their head. And they have provided shower gel and liquid hand soap. Much better than the other hostel we stayed at on the same trip. They have secure luggage storage room with lockers. We checked it although we did not end up needing to use it. ^_^

Had some trouble getting the sheets on the mattress. We were given the sheets, pillow cases, and blanket covers at the front desk to put on the beds, the pillows and blankets ourselves. The other things went on ok. But the bed sheets were too small, did not fit, no matter how we tried. So I went downstairs to let them know. They said there are some beds that are slightly larger than most, we happened to have those. So the fitted sheets won't fit. We were given flat sheets to use instead. Wish these things were already handled for.

🇬🇧

Isabelle

9.1

June 2024

The staff were extremely helpful with any queries or concerns. The layout in the room was great and the facilities in the room were clean and spacious. I loved that there was a communal area for drinks, chilling and socialising. The idea to have different activities each night is a great idea for people to socialise - especially for solo travellers. I loved the location for the place too! it was extremly close to the main street, station and all the shops.. and the cheeky pub and club

To be picky, I wish the storage under the beds were a bit larger - though I do understand there is a luggage storage downstairs. It would have been ideal if there was little lights in the bunks as at night time it was a bit of a struggle to see - especially with the curtains closed!

🇨🇦

Jo

8.2

August 2024

The location is terrific for Fringe, very near a lot of venues right in the centre of town. The beds were good, and so was the wifi, and there was a real committment to accessibility. The breakfast was fine, though it was odd that there wasn't any caffeinated tea.

One elevator was broken, but we could use the other, and they fixed it during our stay. There was quite a bit of noise from the bar downstairs and outside. There's no AC and it gets hot in the room. The shower tended to fill the bathroom with water.

🇬🇧

Fatima

9.1

August 2024

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.

The common guest kitchen is not well maintained.

🇩🇰

Dani

8.2

August 2024

Very central. Helpful staff, especially with issues with the key cards, very patient. People complain about having to make the ved, but I think it's best to make sure you have fresh linen for sure , not a big inconvenience.

Not much privacy in the bunk beds, could do with some more panneling or curtains but it may not be too higienic that way There is something really off with the key card system, a lot of people (including myself) had to repeatedly go back to the reception to reset the cards. Maybe it's time for an update. 🤞🏻 They told me I had a numbered bed, but the beds did not have numbers, so I took one of the empty ones.

🇪🇸

Terrywalsh

8.2

August 2024

The hostel is well-appointed, with comfortable beds in smallish rooms and large, clean bathrooms (with excellent shower). The location (just off the Royal Mile) is excellent and the local area has many cafés, bars and restaurants. Staff were uniformly helpful. If walking from Waverley Station, take the Princes St - North Bridge - High St. route to avoid lots of stairs!

Reception was mostly quite chaotic; we had to queue for some time (online check-in is available, but too detailed and fussy). Eventually, I had to write out my check-in details longhand - in the 21st century, this is comical and unprofessional (although staff, particularly Ryan, were helpful). The logistics of face-to-face reception need another look. Breakfast was rather good, and the staff were assiduous, but the reception of guests could be much better organised and signage is poor.

Points of Interest Around a&o Edinburgh City

Attractions

The Canongate

0.1mi

Scottish National Gallery

0.4mi

Royal Scottish Academy

0.5mi

Royal Observatory

1.8mi

Edinburgh Cruise Port at Leith

2.3mi

Rosslyn Chapel

6.5mi

Aberdour Castle

8.5mi

Forth Bridge

9mi

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

13.6mi

Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot

20.7mi

Falkland Palace and Garden

21.1mi

Melrose Abbey

30.3mi

Swilcan Bridge (Swilken Bridge)

30.9mi

St. Andrews Golf Course

31mi

St. Andrews Cathedral

31mi

Amenities of a&o Edinburgh City

Free wifi

Meeting/Banquet facilities

Kid-friendly buffet

Bar

Sun deck

Tour desk

Terrace

24-hour front desk

Non-smoking rooms

Live music/Performance

Elevator

Kids' meals

Picnic area

Bathtub

Upper floors accessible by elevator

Stay rules - a&o Edinburgh City

  • Check-in / Check-out

  • Pets

  • Internet

  • Age restrictions

  • Curfew

  • Parking

  • Children and beds

  • Cards accepted at this property