Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel

My first stay at this place was very nice! Good staff and place for luggage storage, including a bike. Specifically because of this I booked a room here again, but this time it was a very, very bad experience. When I arrived the staff was very unfriendly and not cooperative in the slightest. Last time storing my bike at the reception was no problem at all, but this time they plainly said no and told me to take it upstairs. Even blind people could have seen that that was pretty much impossible. After 30 minutes I was finally done, but then the room was the next unpleasant surprise. It was dirty overall, the floor was uneven and the wall was missing some pieces. The bed was so dirty I had to use my own bedding. At checkout I had the same receptionist with the same unpleasant attitude. After politely asking if I could leave my luggage for a few hours before leaving for the airport she simply shipped me off with “We had this conversation already”. Upon asking what an alternative was she just shrugged and told me that it wasn’t her problem. The location was great, but that was by far the only positive aspect about this stay.

Somehow our experience kept getting worse and worse. Abysmal service is the first and foremost thing I will remember about this place. Never before have I encountered such uncooperative, unreasonable and particularly unfriendly staff. From a positive experience in the past at this very establishment we decided to book here again, but this time in a private room. We were travelling for a few months and passing through Edinburgh before departing for the airport the next day. As a result, we accumulated a lot of luggage, of which we were under the impression would be able to be stored at this location since we had done that before with roughly the same amount. We could not have been more wrong. Upon arrival we were unpleasantly surprised by a grumpy receptionist with an attitude who plainly told us they don't do the kind of storage we were looking for. Assuming we could reasonably converse with one another we asked what the alternative was after being refused. With a simple shrug we were told to find a spot ourselves. In other words, "not my problem". Note that we booked this room a month beforehand and specifically stated that we were in critical need of luggage storage. Nevertheless, we were sent off without any reason. As if that wasn't enough we were also shocked at the sight of our room. A sorry excuse for a 2-person private room which essentially was a 1-person room fitted with 2 remarkably gross beds. If we did not improvise our way around it, we would be able to keep each other's feet warm. That was the way the room was furnished. The 'flatscreen-tv' was the size of a postcard so you would need binoculars to even see if it was on or not. The rest of the room was tolerable at best (for this price range). We do not expect the most luxury in a backpackers hotel, but even then, do not advertise it, let alone charge for it. Upon checkout we were hopeful to encounter someone behind the reception who would be able to have a reasonable conversation, only to find out we had to talk to the same lady who so 'pleasantly' checked us in the night before. Needless to say our conversation was completely void of reason or empathy. We had to check out at 10am and we had to leave Edinburgh centre at 2pm, so we planned to have 4 relaxed hours (without luggage) exploring the city by daylight, but after being rudely refused again, there was no chance of doing any of that with all our luggage. Not being able to store it here (or anywhere else for that matter, it was odd-sized luggage), we had no option but to skip our complete itinerary for Edinburgh and proceeded to the airport soon after checkout. Very special thanks to the lovely lady at this place, for literally ruining our stay, plans and patience in Edinburgh. The wondrous location in the midst of Edinburgh's heart is wasted on such a 'hotel' like this. Please, to save your high spirits and your sanity, pay just a little more for a stay somewhere else. Anywhere but here.

Our twin room was lovely and the location is incredible, right at the centre of Edinburgh. The price is very good value especially for the location. Room was quiet, even as we were in the room next to the alley. Staff were very lovely and accommodating. Would stay again.

Stayed in a private room which honestly was great. Reception very helpful when I arrived very early. The room was good and bed was comfy. Bathroom was good. Yes lots of noise from the alleyway outside but just wear ear plugs. Couldn't get much better for a location. And the price couldn't get much better at this time of year. Thanks!

This hostel was very nice had a kitchen. The location was great about a 15 minute walk from the main bus terminal or 5 minute walk from the train. You feel at the center from all major attractions staying here. Disliked · This is still a hostel so you may get noisy people but not fault of the hostel. There was an interaction with a staff and a guest apparently the guest did not wash his dish but in the main lounge area she raised her voice in front of everyone saying I saw you through the cameras you did not clean I already told you to clean your dish and next time is going to be $5. Don't know for sure who was right or wrong but raising your voice as a staff is never acceptable.

The rooms were clean with a good amount of locker space and phone charging capability, toilets and showers were closeby. Decent service, although one of our keycards didn't work on arrival, this was fixed promptly. Very close to Christmas markets, royal mile and museums

Stayed in a 6-bed mixed dorm which was on the fourth floor. The location was incredibly convenient—just a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station. The quickest route is via a steep set of steps, though you can also walk around and take a sloped road if you prefer something gentler. The hostel itself was clean, with toilets and bathrooms up to standard. The bed was comfortable and had enough power outlets for charging devices. The only drawback was that the beds were a bit creaky, so they tended to make noise whenever someone moved. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout my stay. Overall, a very solid and reliable hostel experience.

Everything was going pretty well since my two girlfriends and I were alone in an 8-bed room. The problem came on our second-to-last night, when from 2:30 to 4 a.m., a bunch of drunken guys started to arrive. All the noise and annoyance they could cause was NOTHING compared to what happened at 5 a.m.: one of the guys fell off the top bunk and started to PEE INSIDE THE ROOM, right in the corner by our window. I jumped out of bed and went downstairs to get the receptionist, and to my horror, we saw a second drunken guy peeing in his bed while standing up. The receptionist only made them clean up the mess and warned them that they would be kicked out in the morning, which I hope is true as I write this at 6 a.m. This was my worst experience ever in a hostel. We accidentally booked in a mixed room — a mistake we won’t forget :( UPDATE: they finally kicked them out and gave us the entire room to ourselves, which we really appreciated.

I enjoyed my couple day stay here as a solo female traveler from America. The top floor had all solo rooms. It was quiet! However, the stairs up with my suitcases was a real workout. I didn't mind that much but if you have a disability it might be difficult for you. It seems as though this old, charming building would definitely not allow for an elevator, so this is something they fairly state on the website so it should be expected when you arrive. The bathrooms were acceptable. Not the cleanest but definitely not the dirtiest. They were close to my room which I enjoyed. I cannot comment on the atmosphere as I am an introverted, solo traveler and did not participate in the common room or large dorms. Kitchen was good for my needs. I thought the beds were comfortable and did not experience any bed bug bites after my visit. The room was a little dreary though. However, I was able to open the window and there was a TV which helped. The hostel states no alcohol but I was able to enjoy one can of local beer in the evenings while relaxing. I brought my can out with my when I left in the mornings. Location was absolutely perfect. I would consider staying here again should I return to Edinburgh.

This hostel is as central as it gets in Edinburgh, you can literally fall out of the nightclub straight into bed at this hostel, that is, if you're into nightclubs. I only mention that because many backpackers are in their 20's and enjoy the night life and I only mention it for that reason. For those seeking quiet I didn't have any issues with street noise staying here and I didn't detect any rowdiness inside the hostel. It was all very quiet. The only trouble I had was during check in where the swipe card for accessing the hostel and dorms failed to work. My dorm was two floors up and so I had to come down and get the issue fixed but when I went back up it still didn't work, went back down again, then back up to find...............guess what? You guessed it, still didn't work. On the third occasion it was fixed but I called down the stairwell for assistance this time as I wasn't running up and down there all night. The dorm itself was a good size, only a few beds, good firm mattresses and clean bedding, the rooms were clean and tidy with lockers. CCTV was in evidence as it is in most hostels so security is as good as a hostel can be, the front door is locked all the time to prevent casual visits by non residents. The kitchen was fine, decent size with two cookers and several fridges, enough cutlery, pots and pans, utensils etc. Comfortable lounge area with tv and an adjoining games room with pool table. The lounge could use more thorough cleaning than its volunteers can manage because it did smell a bit foosty. My observation of cleaning when it took place was that it looked less than thorough. Florence Nightingale would be turning in her grave if she saw this! I've worked as a cleaner myself and I know that you need to get into every nook and cranny and scrub with gusto if you want genuine cleanliness. The showers and bathrooms looked clean enough and plenty of space but the showers were cold so showering tends to be brief. Also there was no space in front of each shower cubicle to change so you are really having to put your clothes back on in front of other people although males and females have their own shower rooms, but again you may not feel particularly comfortable changing in front of other people of your own sex but it doesn't really bother me personally. Overall this hostel, perhaps because it was an old building, had a jaded feel about it. I kind of half expected to meet Miss Havisham in one of the corridors such was the impression of austerity. However, at this price bracket you can't really ask for more although there are hostels delivering more for the same money. I also found contacting this hostel difficult, I couldn't find a direct phone number via any website or direct email address for amending booking dates which I found inconvenient. Finally, I didn't have much intercourse with the staff, verbal or otherwise, but during the brief times I did interact with them they were pleasant and helpful.

Myself and my girlfriend decided to stay here for a couple of nights while visiting Scotland and I've gotta say I was more than impressed. The staff were so friendly and helpful and had a fantastic knowledge of places for us to go. The also gave us a discount card for one of the local pubs which was great. They also did a discounted breakfast for a cafe next door which served lovely food! We stayed in a private double room as we weren't up did bunking with loads of people. The room we stayed in was like an apartment more than a hostel. Fully kitted out with a great view if the city. The hostel is positioned right bang in the heart of Edinburgh. Less than a ten minute walk from everything. There was so much to do and even though we were only in Scotland for a few days it was beautiful. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Scotland and looking for cheap accommodation and great location. Loved every moment in the hostel and will be back again.

The staff here was great. They were all friendly, talkative. And accommodating. We were lucky to have our rooms in the main building and also lucky enough to have good people in our room who weren't loud or rowdy. The beds and sheets are clean and there are outlets next to each bed. There is also a full body mirror and lockers in the room (you can rent or bring your own lock to use). Only downside is that there is only a male or female bathroom on each floor so you either have to go up or down a floor to use the other sex bathroom. Bathrooms were relatively clean. They had hair dryers which was nice. The location of the hostel is great and central.

I stayed here a couple of days last June. We had a double room with ensuite shower and WC for £60. The private rooms are great for couples or people who appreciate privacy. These rooms are btw not on Cockburn Street (the main address) but off Fleshmarket Close. You go to reception in the main building where staff will take you to the Fleshmarket rooms. Our room was small but clean. The bed was huge and very comfortable (with duvet!!). Although in the middle of the city, surprisingly quiet. The TV didn't work and staff at reception didn't know how to fix it. They promised that someone would come and repair the tv but that never happened. We weren't too fussed as we were out most of the time anyway. We visited the main building every day to check our emails and do the laundry. They have one TV room with a big LCD and 4 or 5 computers. The seating area for people watching tv is very close to the computers, so if you're checking your email you don't have much privacy. £60 is expensive for hostel accommodation but we liked having privacy and our own shower/bathroom. You also can't beat the location. Staff is not very knowledgable (mostly backpackers themselves) but very friendly and helpful. I'd stay again.

Great location. That cannot be over emphasized. However: uncomfortable beds (I could feel the springs), the bed made the worst noise whenever you moved (and woke up everyone else in the room), the shower was either so pressurized that you feel over or no presser at all. The staff were friendly enough, but I felt like we should have been told in advance that we were not going to be staying in the main building.

One star for the location which is great (centre of old town). The rest is just a disaster. Ok in August the city is crowded with the festival but seriously 25£ a night in such a crappy place is a shame. The building is old and squalid. The dorm smelled like sweat or foot, I am not sure, but it was disgusting. I am convinced bed sheets aren't washed after every visit, thanks god I had my sleeping bag. Compared with other hostels in Scotland where they shut them completely in the afternoon to do the cleaning, this one is filthy!! I seriously don't understand how they make the hygiene inspection.

The best part of this facility is the customer service by the staff. They are all so incredibly helpful, kind and welcoming. We were surprised that our room was in a separate building down the alley. Unfortunately, we were kept up all night by the other guests.

I recently visited Edinburgh and stayed at the Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel. I was more than impressed. The accommodations were very well looked after, and extremely clean for a hostel. I say this because it is a lot to keep up with when you have numerous guests coming and going, eating, cooking, and socializing in one small area. This crew is up on their game! What really impressed me was just how friendly and accommodating the staff was. They are there 24/7 to answer any and all questions and truly work hard to ensure their guests have an amazing experience. While there, I learned about the insect known as the midge (tiny ruthless mosquitos). One decided to feast on me in the middle of the night, and I headed to reception with a complaint and they instantly swapped me into a different room, so I could be comfortable and sleep stress free. Insects happen everywhere, and I doubt even many hotels would give such service. The staff acts more as a tightly knit group of friends or a family to really ensure that the guests are having a great time. They are knowledgable about the best tours, great bars and pubs in all budgets, and welcome all in as friends they have yet not met. This hostel (especially Haley!!!) went above and beyond my expectations! Thanks for the lovely stay!!!

Great location. The dorms were packed tight. I don't believe the beds or sheets are cleaned after each visit. The men's showers were gross and cleaned once a day. Nice and friendly staff. My recommendation is to bring a sleeping shell to stay clean.

Really good location, but weird hostel. Nearly everyone seems to be working there for their accommodation, and there wasn't that friendly feel of a bunch of random travellers in a room together chatting. Room was fine but nothing special. It smelt of man sweat by the end of our stay because someone shut the window by their bed. Toilets were ok, showers were unreliable and strange because once you were done showering you had to kind of half get out to get your clothes and just hope no one would see you.. I wouldn't stay here again but it was cheap! Breakfast next door was quite good, where you can get a full Scottish breakfast for £3.95 rather than £6.95 for staying at the hostel.