THE BAXTER HOSTEL, Edinburgh

The hostel is steps from Waverley Station and the airport tram at St Andrew Square. Princes Street and the Royal Mile are just moments away on foot, with dozens of restaurants and pubs within 300 metres. The central position means most of Edinburgh's key sights can be reached without public transport, and the street can be lively late at night. For day trips, the bus and train stations are less than five minutes away.

Rooms range from 6- to 12-bed dorms plus a private quadruple room with its own bathroom. Beds come with linen, two pillows, a socket, and a reading light, and felt comfortable, but triple bunks make the top level a steep climb. Space is very tight - opening a suitcase fully is often impractical, and there are no curtains on the bunks for privacy. Rooms can become hot and stuffy, especially when windows are closed, and road noise filters in from nearby pubs. The private quadruple room offers more space and direct bathroom access. Door locks use key cards, but the doors can be noisy when closing.

Breakfast includes white and brown bread for toast, cereals, eggs, fresh juice, and milk. The kitchen/dining area doubles as the reception and is small for the number of guests, so breakfast can feel crowded between 8:00 and 9:00. Free tea and coffee are available throughout the day. The shared kitchen has a stove, fridge, and utensils for self-catering, and guests can store their own food. Plates and seating are limited, so preparing meals outside peak times works best.

The hostel runs free pub crawls, making it easy to explore Edinburgh's nightlife with a group. No other leisure or wellness facilities such as a pool, gym, or spa are present.

Wi-Fi is free and fast in all areas, though it can be intermittent for full days. The 24-hour reception means late-night arrivals are straightforward. Lockers in the rooms are large enough for a small suitcase and a backpack; bring your own padlock or rent one. Towels are hired separately. Daily housekeeping covers common areas, but room cleaning is less frequent. Luggage storage is free on check-in and check-out days, useful for exploring before or after your stay. There are no lifts, and access is via a single steep staircase.