PRINCES STREET HOSTEL, Edinburgh

The hostel is directly on Princes Street, placing Edinburgh Castle (12-minute walk), the National Museum of Scotland (under 1 km), Edinburgh Playhouse (700 m), and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (2 km) within easy reach. Arthur's Seat is 6 km away, and Edinburgh Airport is 10 km - accessible via a direct tram stop and airport bus routes nearby. The surrounding New Town area is packed with shops, cafés, and restaurants, with Dishoom, The Dome, and Hawksmoor all within a 5-minute walk. Waverley station provides rail links across Scotland, and main bus routes stop at the doorstep, making car-free exploration straightforward.

Room types include 6, 9, and 12-bed dorms, plus private double, twin, and quadruple rooms. Sizes range from 8 to 16 m², so spaces can feel compact. All bathrooms are shared and mixed-gender; showers have decent pressure but hot water can be inconsistent - some periods have reported cold water and low pressure. The property is located on the 4th and 5th floors with no lift; narrow spiral stairs are the only access. Rooms above a pub on Princes Street can be very noisy on Friday and Saturday nights (music until 1-2am), while road-facing rooms may hear street noise. Single-glazed windows and slamming doors add to sound transfer, making earplugs advisable. Bed comfort varies; some bunks squeak, and pillows are firm. Lockers are provided in each room (fit carry-on luggage) - bring your own padlock or buy one at reception. Towel rental costs £2.50. Heating is generally effective, though gas supply issues and cold rooms have been noted during winter months.

The shared kitchen is fully equipped with appliances, utensils, and ample fridge space, plus complimentary tea and coffee. There is no dining service offered by the hostel. The location is surrounded by dining options - within a 3-minute walk you will find Dishoom, Twenty Princes Street, Palm Court, Snax Cafe, The Voodoo Rooms, Saigon Saigon, and Hawksmoor, as well as The Dome (5 minutes). For those preferring self-catering, supermarkets and shops are also nearby. No breakfast voucher or meal plan is included.

The hostel does not have a pool, gym, spa, or fitness facilities. Recreational options are confined to the games room (board games and puzzles) and the shared lounge with a TV. The location compensates by placing guests within walking distance of Edinburgh's parks, shops, and attractions. Outdoor activities such as boating, kayaking, and canoeing are available at Arthur's Seat (6 km away) and along the Water of Leith.

Wi-Fi is free in all common areas (lounge, kitchen, reception) but may not reach all rooms. Luggage storage is available before check-in and after check-out at no extra cost, though items are left in the reception area without tagging or locking - valuables are best kept in the in-room lockers. The property operates 24-hour security with CCTV, key card access, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. Reception offers express check-in/out, private check-in, invoice provision, and free borrowing of adaptors and hairdryers. Towel rental (£2.50) and padlock sales are available. No parking is provided. The shared lounge/TV area and games room offer indoor common space. Housekeeping cleans rooms and bathrooms daily, though some bedding issues have been reported and are resolved on request.