A&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photo

A&O EDINBURGH CITY, Edinburgh

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From$54 /night
Check-in
18Jul
Check-out
19Jul
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

Hotel Details

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
-
Close to the Old Town
Very good
7.2
7.2
/10
2.5
/5

Budget-friendly hostel in central Edinburgh with lively on-site pub

Accommodation

The hotel has 131 rooms, each with a private shower and toilet. Guests choose between single and double rooms, family rooms with a double bed and bunk beds, or multi-bed rooms for 4 to 6 people. These rooms are aimed at younger guests, backpackers, and city travelers who want to explore Edinburgh's nightlife.

Dining & Bar

The hotel operates Bar50, a pub that serves as a starting point for bar crawls and is a known institution in Edinburgh's nightlife. The bar offers a coffee house on site, a snack bar, and kid-friendly buffet and kids' meals. Guests can also order packed lunches and special diet menus, and the hotel provides a vending machine and wine/champagne options.

Entertainment & Activities

Evening entertainment includes karaoke, live music performances, live sport events, and a nightclub with DJs. Guests can join pub crawls, stand-up comedy events, and walking tours or classes about local culture. Billiards and a shared lounge area are also available for socializing.

Facilities & Services

The 24-hour front desk provides lockers, ATM/cash machine on site, tour desk, and private check-in/check-out. On-site services include laundry, fax/photocopying, meeting/banquet facilities, and daily housekeeping. The hotel has a terrace, outdoor furniture, picnic area, and sun terrace, plus parking and a designated smoking area.

Location & Accessibility

The hotel is situated in the centre of the Scottish capital, a short walk from the Royal Mile. It is easily reached from Waverley Station via Princes Street and North Bridge. The building has a lift, facilities for disabled guests, and key card access for security.

Highlights

Rooms: 131 rooms with private shower and toilet

Bar: Bar50 - on-site pub with nightlife events

Entertainment: karaoke, live music, DJ nights, pub crawls

Location: central Edinburgh, near Royal Mile

Services: 24-hour front desk, tour desk, laundry

Family: family rooms and kid-friendly buffet

“The central location, a Royal Mile stroll away, clearly wins here. A 24-hour reception is always a plus. On my visit, the bar stood out as a highlight.”
Hotel logo
Charlotte EvansHead of Editorial at Hotelsdowntown

Select room type

Choose from double rooms, family suites, and premium stays. Enjoy breakfast, flexible cancellations, and exclusive deals.
  • Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    14 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    16 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    18 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
Show all rooms

Check Availability & Prices

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Hotel has comfortable rooms, premium services, and a prime downtown location
Facilities: Very good
7.3/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Security
  • Locker room
  • Lift
  • ATM/Cash machine
  • Coffee shop
  • Vending machines
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

Sports & Fitness

  • Billiard tables

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Snack bar
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Picnic area/ Tables
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Baby pushchair
  • Children's buffet

Spa & Leisure

  • Karaoke
  • Live entertainment
  • Night club
  • Sun terrace
  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Heating
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture

Room decor

  • Parquet floor
Show more

Location

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
Explore Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
5 minutes' walk
A vibrant museum showcasing Scotland's history and culture with interactive exhibits. Free admission makes it accessible for all.
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
5 minutes' walk
The historic heart of Edinburgh lined with shops, eateries, and street performers, perfect for a leisurely stroll and local vibes.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
17-minute walk
Iconic fortress offering breathtaking city views. Explore its rich history and intriguing exhibits; guided tours available.
Arthur's Seat Hike
25-minute walk
A thrilling hike to an ancient volcano with stunning panoramic views of Edinburgh. Suitable for all skill levels.
Yoga at The Meadows
15-minute walk
Relaxing outdoor yoga classes in a picturesque park. Ideal for unwinding while enjoying nature's beauty, suitable for all levels.
Bar 50
2 minutes' walk
A trendy bar with an inviting atmosphere specializing in local craft beers and modern British dishes. Reservations recommended.
The Piemaker
4 minutes' walk
Cozy eatery famous for its delicious Scottish pies made from local ingredients. Offers hearty options for all dietary needs.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
17-minute walk
An engaging venue featuring optical illusions, interactive exhibits, and stunning city views. Great for families and all ages.
Scott Monument
Scott Monument
5 minutes' walk
Gothic tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. Climb 287 steps for breathtaking views of the city. A unique cultural experience.
Getting around <br />
  • City Centre
    Edinburgh 3 min  ·  700 ft
  • Airports
    Edinburgh (EDI) 21 min  ·  8.5 mi
    Glasgow (GLA) 133 min  ·  54.9 mi
  • Train
    Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 5 min  ·  1400 ft
  • Bus
    Bus stop 5 min  ·  1400 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
from 02:00-10:00
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP9.90 per person per day.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Languages
English, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Greek, Russian, Slovak
Year renovated:
2010
Number of floors:
6
Number of rooms:
540
Former name
Safestay Edinburgh

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about A&O Edinburgh City from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
A&O Edinburgh City is favored for its central location, placing guests within walking distance of major tourist attractions and close to Waverley train station. The rooms often feature bunk beds with curtains for added privacy, and some include two shower rooms and two toilet rooms, especially convenient for shared accommodations. There's usually a lively atmosphere with karaoke and a downstairs bar, which extends into the late hours, something light sleepers might want to consider. Guests also appreciate practical amenities such as the 24-hour reception, vending machines, and free luggage storage.
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Review score
Based on 2298 verified reviews
6.8 /10
Nice
63 %
Recommend
Location
9.2/10
Staff
8.5/10
Paid Wi-Fi
5.9/10
Breakfast
6.1/10
Pros
Perfect location
Clean rooms
Helpful staff
Comfy beds
Good value
Cons
Noisy hallways
Guest reviews
based on 2298 reviews
6.8/10
based on 5813 reviews
7.2/10
George from United Kingdom
Family with children
Twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: February 01, 2026
8.8/10

surprisingly good stay!

available luggage storage friendly desk staff clean bathroom
I was happy to find luggage storage available both before and after check-in. the front desk staff were really helpful and friendly, a big plus! the room included a very comfortable bed and a clean bathroom with a good shower. I had a good night sleep.
The bar downstairs was a bit noisy until after closing time, around 1 am. It disturbed my sleep a bit.
Location
9/10
the hotel is located just off the royal mile which is a very convenient place to start exploring from, so that's good! the main attractions are easily accessible from there.
Service
9/10
the staff were helpful and readily available, so i never had any issues. check-in was easy but required completing a paper form, despite doing it online beforehand!
Facilities
8/10
The hotel features a downstairs bar with good food and drinks which is very convenient! free luggage storage is also available. This is really convenient and useful.
Dining
9/10
Breakfast is available. It offers good value with a decent range of food options. there are multiple vegan options offered in the bar and environmentally friendly initiatives are in place!
0 Helpful
|
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Callum from United Kingdom
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 23, 2026
9.0/10

Central Stay Experience

central location luggage storage friendly staff
The location was very central. I could leave my luggage after check-out. The bar allowed meeting and sharing time with other travelers. The staff was also friendly and helpful, answering questions and always polite.
The room was really hot. The window was not fully openable.
Location
9/10
The hostel is in a great location. It is very central to main tourist sites and great restaurants. The main street and the station are also close. It was easy to get around.
Facilities
8/10
The hostel has a communal area for drinks. This area is suitable for chilling and socializing. It provided an easy place to relax. I loved that different activities occurred each night for people to socialize.
Service
10/10
Staff members were helpful with any queries. The reception staff were helpful and friendly. They were very happy to answer any questions. I appreciated their assistance.
0 Helpful
|
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Matthew from United Kingdom
Single
Triple Room
3 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: December 18, 2025
8/10
polite staff good location
The staff were very polite and happy to answer any questions I had. The location is good it allows guests to see important landmarks in the city center. The bar had a nice atmosphere. Breakfast was affordable there.
The room was very small for three people it was hard to move around with our backpacks.
0 Helpful
Sophia from Greece
Single
Twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: December 06, 2025
7/10
great location private bathroom small room private space
the location is great. it was quite easy to get everywhere i needed to go. i also appreciated the private bathroom inside my room and the useful desk.
i found the shower to be a little awkward. it was in a small room shared with the toilet. there was also no other private space to change.
0 Helpful
Amelia from Canada
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed: November 03, 2025
6/10

Mixed Experience at City Center

high noise unresponsive website
The noise levels were rather high. I could hear everything happening in the hallway and adjacent rooms. The soundproofing was minimal at best. the lack of clear information about nearby parking became an issue. I was driving and could not find the information, I suspect a ticket resulted from entering a restricted zone.
0 Helpful
Joseph from United Kingdom
Family with children
Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed: September 14, 2025
9.2/10

Excellent Location and Friendly Staff!

large dormitory separate toilet ground floor
I received an upgrade to a large dormitory with five bunk beds. The room included two sets of separate toilets and bathrooms. Everything was clean and equipped with liquid soap. The bar on the ground floor did not disturb my sleep. I slept soundly at night.
The shower shared a tiny space with the toilet. Keeping things dry was difficult. There was no private space to change after showering. The front desk staff were lovely, kind, and helpful though!
Rooms
9/10
The bed had its own curtains and power socket. A bathroom and a toilet were located in the room, offering convenience and privacy staying in this space.
Service
10/10
The staff was friendly and helpful, especially Lauren, who provided solutions with a smile. The reception staff were efficient, giving clear instructions and ensuring great service at all times.
Location
10/10
The hotel is a few meters from the Royal Mile, offering many shops and restaurants. The location is close to many tourist areas, providing easy access to bus and train services.
Dining
8/10
Breakfast is available for £9.95, offering good value for the cost. There is a bar on the ground floor, providing drinks and entertainment for the guests .
Facilities
9/10
The hotel provides a well-equipped kitchen for free use, allowing guests to prepare their own meals. There is a good communal area available to meet others and socialize .
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About A&O Edinburgh City
What is the check-in and check-out policy at A&O Edinburgh City?
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
How close is A&O Edinburgh City to local attractions?
The hotel is located 0.5 km from Princes Street and 0.5 km from the National Museum of Scotland.
What breakfast options are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 9 GBP.
What amenities are available in the rooms at A&O Edinburgh City?
Rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, reading lights, and spacious interior with storage options.
How much does it cost for children to have breakfast at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast for children aged 7 to 17 costs 3.80 GBP.
What recreational activities does A&O Edinburgh City offer?
Guests can enjoy billiards, live performances, karaoke, and pub crawls on-site.
Is Wi-Fi available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
What language do the staff at A&O Edinburgh City speak?
The staff can communicate in English and other languages.
What nearby restaurants can guests find near A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby dining options include David Bann, Mother India's Cafe, and Pilgrim Bar, all located 0.5 km away.
What are the main highlights of A&O Edinburgh City?
Facilities include a 24-hour reception, a lounge area, a snack bar, and a TV room.

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