A&O EDINBURGH CITY, Edinburgh

The hostel is situated on a street parallel to the Royal Mile, placing Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles' Cathedral, and the National Museum of Scotland within a short walk. Waverley Station is about 10 minutes away on foot, offering direct rail links from the airport via tram and from other UK cities. Numerous bars, restaurants, and convenience stores are within a three-minute walk, including David Bann, Larder Go, and several pubs. The surrounding area is very walkable, and no car is needed to explore the city centre. For airport access, the Airlink 100 bus stops nearby, and the tram from the airport connects at the station.

Rooms range from 14 to 21 m². Single and double rooms have a private bathroom with shower. Twin rooms may feature either separate single beds or a set of bunk beds, so confirm the layout at booking if you prefer non-stacked beds. Family rooms sleep up to four with a double bed and bunk beds. Multi-bed dorms are available for 4, 6 or 8 people, all with private shower rooms. Some larger dorms have two separate toilets and showers, and sinks are located outside the bathroom area. Beds in dorms have privacy curtains, reading lights, and nearby USB sockets, though the number of plug points near each bed can be limited in some rooms. Lockable storage cages are under the lower bunks, but locks are not provided. Mattresses are firm and covered with a removable plastic sheet, which can make them warm and less comfortable. Rooms have heating, fans, and parquet floors, but no air conditioning. Windows provide ventilation, though those facing the inner courtyard let in noise and smoke from the bar. Daily housekeeping is available, but for dorm rooms, guests must request bin emptying at reception via a QR code. The general standard of cleanliness has been noted as inconsistent, with some rooms reported as clean and others as dusty or stained.

Breakfast is a continental buffet costing around 10 GBP per person, with options including bread, pastries, cereals, fruit, and hot drinks. It is generally described as basic, and the variety can be limited. The on-site Bar50 is a full pub with a terrace, offering pub meals, a snack bar, kids' meals, special diet menus, and a coffee house on site. There is no separate restaurant, so hot meals are limited to the bar menu. Several restaurants are within a three-minute walk, including David Bann (vegetarian), and many other cuisines.

Leisure options are focused entirely on the social area. Bar50 has pool tables, karaoke, live music and sports broadcasts, pub quizzes, and a courtyard with outdoor furniture and a picnic area. Walking tours, stand-up comedy nights, and pub crawls are organised. There is no gym, spa, or swimming pool. The shared lounge/TV area provides a quieter space. This is not a property for relaxation-focused stays, but it is well-suited for guests who want entertainment and meeting others on-site.

The 24-hour front desk offers private check-in/out, a tour desk, an ATM on site, and lockers for storing valuables. Free luggage storage is available all day, useful before check-in or after check-out. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in all areas. A shared kitchen is available for guests who want to self-cater. Laundry is offered at an additional charge, accessible via an app. Business facilities include fax/photocopying and meeting/banquet rooms for a fee. The building has lift access, though the lifts can be unreliable. Cots and baby pushchairs can be requested, and strollers are allowed. Accessibility features include facilities for disabled guests. The property is non-smoking throughout. Payment is accepted by Visa, Maestro, and MasterCard.