Stay Central Hotel

BED BUGS!!!! I wanted to give higher than 1 star but after being infested with bed bugs, I simply cannot. After I woke up and discovered my bed infested with bed bugs (saw at least 4 in the bed, who knows how many more there were) I went to the front desk and was immediately given a new room and full refund. I went into my new room but couldn’t shake the feeling of disgust and itchiness from the previous room. It was in my new room that I realized I dumbly had my suitcase in the other bed in the room opened the whole time I was there. I asked the staff if they could run my laundry through the dryer to kill off any bugs that may have gotten in the suitcase. I was told there is no laundry onsite and that I would have to pay for it to be sent off. While my stay had been comped at this point, I found it bizarre to be told that I would have to pay to have it shipped off the clean. So with that, and the sense of unease I had I decided to leave Stay Central to find accommodations elsewhere with a laundry facility. While the staff was nice and accommodating (even threw in complimentary breakfast for my stay) I wouldn’t wish bed bugs and having to throw out all your luggage and clothing on anyone so I have to say encourage anyone to stay far far FAR away from here. Bed bugs aside, the initial room I had was confusing to get to. Having to go up a floor on the elevator than down the stairs to get to the room (if you could find it); and then the key card didn’t work to access the floor above so I had to leave out a staff only door into the bar below. An issue which I brought up to the manager and who gave me some walk around story about card access to that floor is a fire hazard.

I paid my reservation fully in advance and repeatedly asked for a two beds room rather than a double bed room. When I arrived, at first they could not find the reservation, which I provided in e-mail. Then, they informed me that I won a free upgrade to a larger room. They proceeded to giving me the keys to a room already occupied by others, which probably explains why they couldn't find my reservation. How on earth does their system allow to issue new keys to a room already occupied by others? What if there was a misfortune or any complaint? Of course, they gave me a different room with two beds put together when I had repeatedly asked for a room with two beds, not a double bed. "We will fix it when you go out". Did they? Of course not. The room also had one (1) chair for two people! "If you won't share the bed, at least share the one and only chair". It also had a complimentary set of a kettle and two cups. I used one the following morning and I left it on the table with everything spread out, so that they wouldn't miss it. I found the sugar sticks back inside the cup and I assumed it was washed. Was I correct? Of course not. Someone had put the sticks back in the used cup without washing or replacing it first. I would understand skipping it, a clear sign that "we won't do the dishes for you". But rearranging it in order to look ok without replacing or washing it? Was it clean in the first place? Overall, a clear feeling that no one could care less about the customer. Therefore, should I stay again? No, I'll pass.

Welcoming attentive staff, everything you need available in the room and anything else just an ask away. Worried about the noise levels prior due to other reviews and we had a room right above the courtyard, despite this we didn't find it altered our stay at all. Lifts to all floors, after the cobbles and hills of Edinburgh you welcome it. I would return to this hotel.

I paid my reservation fully in advance. When I arrived, they could not find it. Then, they informed me that I won a free upgrade to a larger room. They gave me the keys to a room already occupied by others, which probably explains why they couldn't find my reservation. How on earth does their system allow to issue new keys to a room already occupied by others? Of course, they gave me a different room with two beds put together when I had repeatedly asked for a room with two beds, not a double bed. "We will fix it when you go out". Did they? Of course not. The room also had one (1) chair for two people! It also had a complimentary set of a kettle and two cups. I used one the following morning and I left it on the table with everything spread out, so that they wouldn't miss it. I found the sugar sticks back inside the cup and I assumed it was washed. Was I correct? Of course not. Someone had put the sticks back in the used cup, which raises the question whether it was clean the first time around. Overall, a clear feeling that no one could care less about the customer. Therefore, should I stay again? No, I'll pass.

I had read the reviews that said the hotel could be noisy but what I didn't realise is that the hotel is next to and above a bar / club with a large outside courtyard which on a Friday & Saturday night blasts out thumping music until 3am. The hotel offered ear plugs when we complained about the noise in our room but they were pretty much non effective in dealing with the volume of the music that was played. The hotel should be more up front about this issue as I am sure most guests can not sleep with this level of noise. They could offer lower rates on Fri & Sat nights to compensate rather than guests writing reviews like this.|We also were told to leave the door hanger on the door saying 'please clean' if we wanted our room cleaned which we did but came back to find the room had not been cleaned.

Very helpful staff. We thought we were booked at this hotel for our first night, we weren't . They had no spots open , but helped us find another hotel for the night and even waled our bags over to the new hotel. Outstanding service. We came back the next night for our reservation and had great clean rooms and a nice breakfast.

We got a whole room to ourselves and it was definitely worth it! Location is great and service was good. There are lots of restaurants and bars around. There was a party downstairs so if you want to go to bed early and in a quiet room maybe it’s not the best. But if you want to go out it’s perfect for you!

If you want any sleep before 3am, stay somewhere else. The noise level is bad even up on the 3rd floor. The hotel is very close to the royal mile with lots of bars and restaurants nearby but there's an outdoor bar next door which is very noisy. The room was clean and nice. The bed was 2 single beds pushed together and kept separating. The bathroom door is like a shower door with wide enough gaps where you can be seen on the toilet. Bathroom was clean. Staff were really nice and helpful but the hotel is not worth the money I paid and I will not stay again.

When I stay somewhere, it's typically to sleep and to shower. Neither were possible here. The pub is more of a nightclub some nights with bass so loud it rattles glassware on the table. I was traveling with my kids and asked for our room to be changed, at first they said they couldn't, bummer but understandable. But the next morning a staff member said they could, so we packed up our whole room only to be told later they couldn't, which just added insult (or incompetence) to injury. Stay here if you're a group of friends who want to see each other poop (the toilet door is glass), you like scalding hot water coming out of the cold tap, or if you just want to punish yourself for some reason. Otherwise, I'd skip it. Families should avoid at all costs.

3.5/5 Our stay here was fine, nothing much to write home about (Well, I guess there is, this got long!) The Bluetooth speakers in the ceiling really saved this place. Our room had a window overlooking an alley so the first night I was woken up by the horrible creaking noise and waking from a dead sleep to that was very unnerving, it took me a moment to figure out what the noise was since it wasn't happening routinely (It was a local business opening and closing their back door). The following night I wore my earplugs and played rain sounds from the speakers on either side of the bed and was woken up less, this noise still bit through everything even with the window shut - not a pleasant experience. It was hard for us to figure out how to make the shower a comfortable temperature, it was boiling hot constantly. The written out instructions they hand you at the front desk said to hang a "please clean" sign on the door if we wanted our room freshened so I didn't hang anything up the first day (we generally don't like folks in our room while we're gone). We came back after a long day to find that someone had been in our room and spiffed it up, this was so embarrassing since I'd had personal clothing items strewn about - I later realized that the other side of the door hanger said please do not disturb and I used that for the remainder of our trip. The folks at the front desk are not happy to work here. They stock snacks and drink but don't want you ordering there and will just tell you to go to the Three Sisters for everything. We tried to check in just a few minutes early and were told we couldn't and that the young lady would let us know when we could, we then watched her leave for her shift and had to do the whole song and dance again with her replacement. Not a great welcome. Snacks and drink in the vending machine are horribly overpriced. Great location, fine stay for the money but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. We skipped the breakfast since it seemed to have fairly small options for a steep price. The Three Sisters next door were having a 5 pound breakfast so we did that instead and got two for the price of one breakfast from Stay...

Lovely clean room with a large modern bathroom and a large screen TV. Amy at the front desk was as friendly and helpful as she could be. You can't beat the location--so many cute restaurants just outside the door. You MAY get a room near the noisy courtyard--we didn't, thankfully. This is a fun place and recommended.

Very lackluster -- staff at the front desk were friendly but the rooms are dirty, cold, and loud. Three of the four showers had water that was scalding hot with no way to turn down the temperature. My top bunk bed was incredibly shaky and made a horrible squeaking noise anytime you would move even a little bit -- I asked to be moved to a different bed and they said they would do it but then never actually did. Cleaning staff also entered the room while I was in my towel about to get dressed and then didn't leave. Very bizarre experience -- I understand that you get what you pay for with hostels at this price point but I've stayed at many similarly priced hostels that were far more professional and had much better accommodations. Most of the staff I talked to were kind but otherwise I can't recommend this place.

Came here during the summer of 2019 so some of this may have changed since. I'll also preface with the fact that I got sick mid-way thru my trip with strep (nothing to do with the hotel stay) but the hotel provided some form of comfort when I wasn't in the best state. Pros: - Spacious and lovely hotel with in-room Bluetooth so it feels like home - Free tea, coffee and tea cakes daily in your room (oh my god, first time having tea cakes - it was amazing!) - The front desk is nice and offered to take my luggage to my room - Located in the "old" city so walking around really feels magical vs the modern or shopping district - Area is quieter (but beware of weekends; see con below) and about 5-10mins from a few tourist attractions Cons: - Similar to prior comments, the floor plan and layout is really confusing. There's a front "gate" that you walk past and the front desk door is on the other side of the "courtyard." - I got really lost looking for my room because I had to go through a series of fire doors (heavy, at times making me think I went to the wrong way), weaving through the building. One of the employees disappeared with my luggage as I was going thru the check-in process and dropped my luggage off in my room. I wish they would of at least waited and escorted me to my room so I'd know the best route as there were 2-3 ways to get to my room. After the first day and a half, I was able to find the correct door to come in/out from. - The courtyard on weekends host events and parties on weekends and it's REALLY LOUD. I couldn't even open my window during the summer but I guess it's fine because they had AC. Even with the windows closed, I could still hear the muffling into the night. Luckily this all happened while I was still fine and not when I fell ill towards the end of the week/on a weekday. - During these parties, it's REALLY AWKWARD to come in/out of the hotel at night because you're literally walking through the crowds of drunk people. There wasn't even a designated walkway around the perimeter of the courtyard where they prohibited people from blocking. It was so frustrating as I was grabbing some water and then suddenly sandwiched between strangers who are giving me weird stares for interrupting them when all I'm trying to do is go back to my room and have nothing to do with this party.

Half hotel half hostel, but my friend and I got a regular two twin bed room with a private bathroom. Super cute, simple, but clean and easy location to all the main Edinburgh attractions. The pub next door did party into the night which was loud, but that wasn't such a big deal. Very affordable if you're looking for hipster feels.

We stayed here for four nights, Monday until Friday. Upon arriving at 11:30 pm we found that we had to pass through an outdoor bar to enter the hotel lobby. ( See pics) We later discovered that there was an additional downstairs and upstairs bar attached to the hotel. Upon questioning the noise level our receptionists stated that it got "busy" on weekends. We were given Room 106. Rooms 105 and 106 are annexed off the main hotel and may only be exited by a hallway and stairwell shared with the upstairs bar. Our window provided a partial view of the outdoor bar. Tuesday evening passed with the murmur of voices outside as we turned in about 11 pm. Wednesday evening we returned to find well over 100 people (mostly college age), drinking and watching a game on the outdoor Jumbotron. There were dozens of people in the upstairs and indoor bars. We could not sleep. At 11:00 pm I changed into my clothes (there was no phone in the room) and spoke with the receptionist. I requested another room for Thursday. She asked why and I pointed out the obvious- especially the noise from the shared hallway/ stairwell. The noise continued unabated until well past 1:00 am. The next morning I emailed management regarding the noise and a room change; and I requested that the night's payment be returned. They never responded. We were assigned Room 110 in the rear of the hotel. Thursday night came and we turned in at 9:30pm only to be awoken at 11:00pm to the sounds of karaoke. It ended at 1:00 am. We never received our Friday morning 6:30 am wake up call...the receptionist didn't "see it in the book." Luckily we woke up in time to catch our train. OUR STAY HERE WAS ANYTHING BUT RESTFUL AND RELAXING. The hotel's attachment to three bars ensures that the noise level is unavoidable. Our advice - "DON'T STAY CENTRAL."

I agree with most of the other reviews here. This hotel is amazing. Starting with the front desk staff, my experience was excellent. We were welcomed with friendly staff who were genuinely happy to help us with anything we needed. We received a room across the courtyard and up a set of stairs. It was our own private oasis! There are only two rooms on that side of the building, accessed only by a key card to get into the hallway, and then a physical key to get into the room. The room was huge with 4 beds, a desk, a wardrobe, and a good size bathroom. The room had hardwood floors which made me confident that the floors were clean. There was tea and water inside the room for no additional cost, and delicious chocolate cakes too! There is free wifi and the signal was great. The hotel offers breakfast also - continental or cooked to order. The Three Sisters bar was so fun. I was a bit curious about the noise factor since our room was next to the courtyard but we never heard any noise at all coming from the bar area which was a very positive thing. The hotel is central to just about everything - the Royal Mile, and about half-way between Edinburgh Castle & the Palace. Around the corner and down another street, you will find Greyfriar Bobby's - the famous pub. Everything is within walking distance which was great. The front desk staff were very helpful during our stay and made several great recommendations for our 3 days there. The only negative was that there was no elevator to get to our room, however the positives definitely outweigh the negative in this case. I would definitely return here in the future.

This hotel is perfect for the right people (which is why I gave it 5 stars). This is not a quiet little day spa. You don't come here for a "peaceful get away." This is for someone who wants to be in the bustling heart of the city and experience the culture, art, and nightlife of Edinburgh. The hotel cradles an outdoor drinking court. We were there during the Fringe so that may explain the shout-singing till 4:00AM and the jumbotron facing our room. But just be aware that your room MAY face a drinking area. All of that said, the rooms were a great size, beautiful and I could not say enough about the staff/managers. So great.

We stayed at the hotel for one night If you want to go sightseeing by foot or go out in the evening. Stay Central is a perfect place to stay. A perfect location and very modern. A very good price/ value The pub attached gets pretty crowded weekend nights which makes for a fun time.

This is a really nice place to stay in Edinburgh. The location is amazing and the facilities are quite good. It's ideal if you are want to stay somewhere comfortable that is close to everything.

Funky, clean, helpful staff, and walking distance to old town. Nice pub and restaurant next door. Our family room had bunk beds.

This review is really 4.5 stars but I'm going to round up. This is probably one of the quirkiest hotels I have ever stayed in and I loved it. This is in a great location in Edinburgh, close to everything Old Town. The staff is friendly and helpful. The rooms are clean and well stocked with lush amenities. We didn't take advantage of their running club or parkour workout but I imagine that's fun too (though I can't imagine running in Edinburgh with all its hills, my calves ache just thinking about it). Overall, me and the S.O. loved this place. Two things though: 1) The entrance to the hotel is in the courtyard of a pub (The Three Sisters) and that was a bit confusing....mainly because we arrived during the Wimbledon finals and the courtyard was packed and I felt really silly lugging bags through what is essentially a crowded bar. The noise at night isn't nearly as bad as you think it's going to be being so close to a busy pub. 2) The shower floors are slippery. I slipped once or twice and the glass divider is flimsy. I pictured myself careening through it and slicing myself to shreds every time I showered (Mind you, I have an active imagination) but I saw where it had been ripped out of the ceiling before so I think its happened in the past. Maybe some texture to the shower floor would be nice (and safe). All in all, those two things only get a half star knocked off...can't recommend enough.

i can't believe there are no reviews! stay central holds true to its name. 10 min walk to pretty much everything you need to see (except for new town). a perfect location and very modern. has a very friendly staff and atmosphere. the running club they do on wednesday was great (although it was myself and the trainer). very pretty run around St. Arthurs seat. the pub attached gets pretty crowded weekend nights which makes for a fun time.