Room for Single Use
- 2 Single beds
Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh
A&O Edinburgh City
A 2-star hostel in Edinburgh's Old Town, a short walk from the Royal Mile and National Museum of Scotland.
- 5-minute walk to Royal Mile
- 24-hour reception
- On-site bar and snack bar
7.4
Very good
6311 reviews
Booking.com 7.4 · 6311 reviews
About
A&O Edinburgh City
A&O Edinburgh City is a 2-star hostel on Blackfriars Street, placing guests within a 5-minute walk of both the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland. The hostel offers a mix of dormitory beds and private rooms, with amenities including a bar, a terrace, and a 24-hour reception.
The property is well-suited for travellers who want a base in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town without the price tag of a hotel. It also features a cash machine, a lift, and pets are allowed. The hostel has a lively on-site bar with karaoke and live entertainment.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
In brief
What works, what to weigh
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Strengths
4 reasons to book- Exceptional location — Guests consistently praise the hostel's spot on Blackfriars Street, just a 5-minute walk from the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland.
- Friendly and helpful staff — Many reviews mention the front desk team being kind and assisting with requests such as printing.
- Good value for money — Guests note that the hostel offers comfortable rooms and amenities at a competitive price, especially for the central location.
- Lively on-site bar and entertainment — The hostel has a bar with karaoke, live entertainment, and a night club, plus a terrace and picnic area.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Facilities score is modest — The facilities rating is the lowest category, which may reflect the hostel's shared bathrooms and no-frills approach.
- Comfort rating is a bit lower than other categories — Comfort scored 6.3, which could indicate that some guests find the beds or rooms less plush than a hotel.
- Potential noise from the bar — Some guests were initially concerned about noise from the on-site bar, though reviews suggest it was acceptable.
- No breakfast included — One review wished that breakfast were free, implying that it's an extra cost.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
10 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Heating
4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Heating
6 Bed Dormitory Room Room
- 1 Bunk bed
- Private terrace
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
8 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Private terrace
- Shower
- Private bathroom
- Non-smoking
Dormitory Room
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Heating
Family Room
- 2 Single beds,1 Double bed,4 Single beds
- Private terrace
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
Quadruple Room
- Sleeping arrangements for 4 persons
- Private terrace
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
Twin Room
- 2 Single beds
- Private terrace
- Shower
- Heating
- Bathtub
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
Basic
- Wi-Fi
- Lift
- Heating
- No smoking on site
- Key card access
Food & Drink
- Snack bar
- Bar/Lounge area
- Coffee shop
- Vending machines
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
- Children's buffet
Services
- 24-hour reception
- VIP check-in/-out
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Fax/Photocopying
- Meeting/Banquet facilities
Entertainment
- Karaoke
- Live entertainment
- Night club
- Leisure/TV room
- Billiard tables
Outdoor
- Terrace
- Sun terrace
- Garden furniture
- Picnic area/Tables
Family
- Cots
- Baby pushchair
Accessibility
- Rooms/Facilities for disabled
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 7.4/10 from 6,311 reviews
Booking.com · 7.4 · 6311 reviews
7.4Verified guest“Roomy, spotless rooms with nice touches. Perfect spot in a busy tourist area, staff were friendly and helpful, and the shower pressure was great.”
7.4Verified guest“Nice staff and a superb location.”
7.4Verified guest“The location is top-notch.”
7.4Verified guest“Right in the city centre and an easy walk to the university and Royal Mile. We booked a 4-person room with bunks; linen was supplied and the room was clean and comfortable. Our teenage boys loved the bar and patio. The front desk was kind and even helped us print. Great value, we'd return.”
7.4Verified guest“Fantastic location, free Wi-Fi, a good bar in the hostel, and luggage storage.”
7.4Verified guest“My first time in a hostel and I was impressed. The room was a good size, the place was well run, and the staff were great. The Wi-Fi was a plus.”
04 — Location
Getting around Edinburgh
The property sits in Edinburgh.
Royal Mile: The historic Royal Mile is about a 5-minute walk away, linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
National Museum of Scotland: The museum is roughly a 5-minute walk from the hostel, with free entry to its collections.
Old Town: The hostel sits in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, with its many pubs, shops, and closes.
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE, United Kingdom
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 02:00-10:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Allowed
- Property
- 530 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:59, and check-out is from 02:00 to 10:00.
Are pets allowed at A&O Edinburgh City?
Yes, pets are allowed at the property.
Does the hostel offer parking?
The provided information does not mention parking at this property. We recommend contacting the hostel directly.
Is there free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Wi-Fi is listed as an amenity, and several reviews mention having free Wi-Fi.
Does the hostel have family rooms?
Yes, there is a Family Room that accommodates up to 7 people with a mix of single and double beds.
The bottom line
For travellers who prioritise location and value, A&O Edinburgh City delivers a no-fuss base in the Old Town with friendly service. The hostel's strengths—central position, helpful staff, and a social bar—outweigh its modest facilities for most visitors.
7.4Stay Atlas verdict
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