A&O Edinburgh City | City stay in Edinburgh | Book Now

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Key details

About the Hotel

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

Close to the Royal Mile

Very good

7.3

7.2

/10

2.5

Loved by A&O Edinburgh City guests

Great location
Helpful staff
Clean rooms
Good value
Karaoke night
Various services

"A good value establishment conveniently situated near the Royal Mile."

Anthony from United Kingdom

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"Our family of 5 rented an entire dorm room of 4 bunk beds and it was great."

Angela from United States

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"I was amazed at how cheap this hostel was for its location and cleanliness throughout my stay, really good value for money!"

Elia B

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Amenities

A&O Edinburgh City offers a range of amenities to accommodate varied guest needs. The property includes a guest kitchen for self-catering, a bar area for relaxation, and a game room for entertainment. Additionally, bicycle rental services allow guests to explore the city at their leisure.

Rooms

The hotel provides both private and shared rooms catering to different guest preferences. Each room is equipped with en-suite bathrooms and features bright, simple designs. Family rooms are available, providing an accessible space for parents traveling with children.

Location

A&O Edinburgh City is situated just a 15-minute walk from Edinburgh's city center, providing easy access to major attractions. Nearby public transport links facilitate exploring the city's sights, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle. The hotel is also located near shopping and dining options, enriching the stay for guests.

Dining

The hotel has an on-site bar that serves a variety of refreshments and snacks throughout the day. Guests can also enjoy breakfast options available in the breakfast room. The guest kitchen allows for additional dining flexibility for those wishing to self-cater.

Entertainment

A&O Edinburgh City offers a game room equipped with billiards and table football, allowing guests to relax and socialize with fellow travelers. The hotel plans a range of activities, enhancing interaction among guests. Secure storage for bicycles also supports an active lifestyle.

Highlights

Location: 15-minute walk from Edinburgh's city center

Rooms: private and shared rooms with en-suite bathrooms

Dining: on-site bar and guest kitchen

Entertainment: game room with billiards

Must-do experiences

Visit the Scottish National Gallery for stunning art and free entry.
Try haggis at the Royal McGregor for a true taste of Scotland.
Stroll through the historic Grassmarket for unique shops and eateries.
Explore Dean Village, a picturesque gem just a short walk away.
Attend a traditional ceilidh at Ghillie Dhu for a fun night out.

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room

2 persons

155 sq. feet

1 Bunk bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room

2 persons

175 sq. feet

1 Bunk bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room

2 persons

195 sq. feet

1 Bunk bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Bed 10-Bed Dormitory Room

2 persons

220 sq. feet

1 Bunk bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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See what's available for your travel dates

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.3/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Security
Locker room
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Coffee shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Billiard tables

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Baby pushchair
Children's buffet

Spa & Leisure

Karaoke
Live entertainment
Night club
Sun terrace
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Terrace
Garden furniture

Room decor

Parquet floor

A&O Edinburgh City Location

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

Map view

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

City landmarks

Museum

Edinburgh Castle

4400 ft

Landmark

Arthur's Seat hike

1.4 mi

Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

3800 ft

Gallery

Scottish National Gallery

4400 ft

Park

Princes Street Gardens

4400 ft

Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

4400 ft

Landmark

Calton Hill

1.1 mi

Park

Holyrood Park

3800 ft

Museum

Dynamic Earth

3800 ft

Botanical Garden

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

1.4 mi

Museum

The Museum of the Royal Scots and the Royal Regiment of Scotland

4400 ft

Landmark

The Scotch Whisky Experience

4400 ft

Square

Grassmarket

4400 ft

Nearby

Museum

National Museum of Scotland

1300 ft

Royal Mile

1300 ft

High Street 2 Warriston's Close

The Real Mary King's Close

1300 ft

Church

St Giles' Cathedral

1300 ft

Monument

Scott Monument

1300 ft

32 Calton Hill

Nelson Monument

1400 ft

Store

Edinburgh Old Town

1300 ft

Museum

The Writers' Museum

1300 ft

Museum

Gladstone's Land

1300 ft

Nicolson Street

Surgeons' Hall Museums

1300 ft

Museum

Museum of Childhood

1300 ft

Museum

John Knox House

1300 ft

53 Princes Street

Princes Street

1300 ft

2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)

Brass Rubbing Centre

1300 ft

Church

Mercat Cross

400 ft

Gallery

City Art Centre

1300 ft

Cemetery

The Robertson Mausoleum

1300 ft

Restaurants

Bar 50

400 ft

50 Blackfriars Street

Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House

100 ft

56 Blackfriars Street Old Town

The Piemaker

1000 ft

38 South Bridge

Pilgrim Bar

300 ft

Cowgate

Greggs

400 ft

85/87 Rose Street

Burrito 'n' Shake

1100 ft

97-99 South Bridge

The Tron

900 ft

9 Hunter Square

Yocoko Noodle Bar

900 ft

45 South Bridge

Zenobia

1000 ft

14A South Bridge

Forsyth's Tea Room

600 ft

81 High Street Chalmers Close

Caffe Nero

800 ft

4 Waverley Bridge Road Unit 2-4 Waverley Station

Explore Edinburgh

Local Highlights

National Museum of Scotland

5 minutes' walk

The National Museum showcases Scotland's diverse history and culture, with free admission and engaging exhibits for all ages.

Royal Mile

5 minutes' walk

The Royal Mile is a historic street lined with shops and eateries, connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Edinburgh Castle

17-minute walk

Edinburgh Castle offers stunning views and rich history, with a variety of tours detailing its storied past.

Scott Monument

5 minutes' walk

A towering tribute to Sir Walter Scott, visitors can climb its 287 steps for panoramic views of Edinburgh.

Arthur's Seat Hike

25-minute walk

This challenging hike rewards adventurers with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscapes.

Relaxation at Dunbars Close Garden

5 minutes' walk

A serene escape with beautiful landscapes, perfect for a peaceful stroll or unwinding amidst nature.

Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House

1 minute' walk

This casual spot offers quick bites of pizza and burgers, perfect for a quick meal on the go.

The Piemaker

4 minutes' walk

Famed for its savory pies, The Piemaker serves delicious comfort food in a cozy atmosphere.

Pilgrim Bar

1 minute' walk

Offering local brews and a vibrant atmosphere, Pilgrim Bar is ideal for a casual night out or trying local drinks.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

17-minute walk

An interactive venue featuring optical illusions and captivating displays, suitable for families and curious minds.

Grassmarket

17-minute walk

A lively area rich in history with pubs and shops, often hosting events and live music for a vibrant nightlife.

Getting around

City Centre

Edinburgh3 min · 700 ft

Airports

Edinburgh (EDI)21 min · 8.5 mi

Glasgow (GLA)133 min · 54.9 mi

Train

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station5 min · 1400 ft

Bus

Bus stop5 min · 1400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

from 02:00-10:00

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP9.90 per person per day.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Languages

English, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Greek, Russian, Slovak

Year renovated:

2010

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

530

Former name

Safestay Edinburgh

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

A&O Edinburgh City is praised for its excellent location, just a short walk from the main stations and close to attractions near the Royal Mile. Guests appreciate the cleanliness of the rooms and bathrooms, as well as the comfortable beds, some of which feature privacy curtains and individual lights and plugins. Some guests have noted noise at night and issues with overcrowded reception during peak hours. The availability of a kitchen, luggage room with lockers, and the good value, especially considering average city prices, make it a convenient option for travelers.

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Review score

Based on 2297 verified reviews

6.8/10

Nice

63%

Recommend

Location

9.2/10

Staff

8.5/10

Paid Wi-Fi

6.0/10

Breakfast

6.3/10

Pros

Central position

Good solution

Good atmosphere

Cons

Rigid rules

Disgusting bathrooms

Joseph from United States

Single

Twin Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:January 28, 2026

7/10

convenient locationhelpful staffkey attractionshard mattresspoor ventilationnoticeable noise

The hostel location was convenient. I found the proximity to key attractions very useful. The staff at the reception were also helpful. They assisted me with directions and local information.

The mattress in my room felt quite hard. I noticed the ventilation in the bathroom was not effective. The noise level from the bar below was noticeable late at night. It did affect my sleep a little.

0 Helpful

Joseph from United Kingdom

Twin Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:January 10, 2026

9.3/10

A very nice stay!

spacious roomseparate toiletground floor bar

I received an upgrade to a spacious ten-bed room! It was quite large and accommodated five bunk beds with no problem. The room included two separate toilet and bathroom facilities and they were all very clean with liquid soap available. The bar is on the ground floor! my room remained quiet throughout the night, which allowed me to sleep well. I also enjoyed the breakfast, priced at £9.95, and consider it money well spent.

Rooms

9/10

The beds have individual curtains and a personal power socket. The rooms feature bathrooms. there are storage spaces under the beds, great.

Service

10/10

All staff members were helpful and demonstrated friendliness . I met Adam, Ryan, Lawrence, and many other wonderful staff members. I got the chance to see the complimentary comedy show at the bar !

Location

9/10

The location is excellent. I found it near many areas I wanted to visit with my children! the proximity to bus and train connections made getting around easy. It made exploring the area easy.

0 Helpful

oliver from united kingdom

Single

twin room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed:December 30, 2025

7/10

good location, some drawbacks

excellent locationequipped kitchenfree usesmall shower roompoor securityluggage storage

the location is excellent. it is close to many shops and restaurants. i found the kitchen well equipped for free use. there were also a few shelves for storage.

The shower room was a little small. It was difficult to change my clothes in there. the security seemed poor after check-out. anyone with a key could easily access luggage storage, which worried me. there were no security cameras or staff present.

0 Helpful

Christian from Germany

Single

Twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed:December 25, 2025

7/10

stellar locationlovely staffcramped room

the LOCATION was stellar! it was only a short walk to the main stations. all the attractions are easily reachable by walking, WHAT a dream. the staff was lovely!

The room felt a bit cramped. I wished for more space. I had to carry luggage upstairs. it was inconvenient and QUITE exhausting!

0 Helpful

Hannah from United Kingdom

Single

Twin room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed:November 26, 2025

9/10

convenient stay

great locationgood sizecomfortable bed

the location is great. i found the room of a good size. the beds were comfortable!

0 Helpful

Callum from United Kingdom

Twin Room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed:September 19, 2025

9/10

liquid hand soapsecure luggagehigh ceiling

The room included shower gel and liquid hand soap. The ceiling was high enough. People on the upper beds did not bump their heads. The hostel provides secure luggage storage with lockers. I checked it.

the RECEPTION area seemed overcrowded in the small waiting space.

0 Helpful

Natasha from Russia

Single

Twin Room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed:September 14, 2025

6/10

mixed feelings about this place

central locationsmall roomnoisy beds

the location was quite central, which proved convenient.

The room i booked was quite small. the beds were also uncomfortable. Any movement caused them to be very noisy. i had to keep the windows closed because of the noise, made the room very hot.

0 Helpful