Name: A&O Edinburgh City
Address: 50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
Price range: US$192+
Rating: 9.0

Key details

About the Hotel

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE

Steps from the Royal Mile

Nice

6.9

7.2

/10

2.5

Loved by A&O Edinburgh City guests

Central location

Friendly staff

Clean room

Good bar area

A&O Edinburgh City - A budget hostel on the Royal Mile with en-suite rooms, free WiFi, and an on-site bar

A & O Edinburgh City is a 2-star hostel located in the Royal Mile, 700 metres from Princes Street's shops and nightlife. The property features 615 beds across dormitories and private rooms, with en-suite bathrooms, power showers, and parquet floors. Breakfast is available for children aged 7-17 at £3.80. Guests can eat, drink, and socialize at the on-site Bar 50, which serves pizza, bar fare, cocktails, and local beers, and includes Sky Sports and a pool table. Wi-Fi is free, and key-card access ensures security. The hostel is within walking distance of Edinburgh Old Town (0.5 km), the Scottish National Gallery (1 km), and Holyroodhouse Palace (1 km). Public transport options include Waverley Station and St Andrew Square tram stop. The front desk offers 24-hour service and local sightseeing advice.

Pros

En-suite bathrooms with power showers in all rooms.

Located in the Royal Mile, close to major attractions and nightlife.

Bar 50 provides on-site dining and entertainment options.

Free Wi-Fi and secure key-card access.

Cons

No private parking available on-site.

Dormitory-style rooms may lack privacy for some guests.

Select your room type

A&O Edinburgh City offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
195 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Heating
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Room Rates & Availability Calendar

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Facilities

A&O Edinburgh City offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Very good

7.0/10Review 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

Guest Parking

No parking available.

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

A&O Edinburgh City Location

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

Edinburgh Castle

4400 ft

Landmark

Arthur's Seat hike

1.4 mi

Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

3800 ft

Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

4400 ft

Gallery

Scottish National Gallery

4400 ft

Landmark

Calton Hill

1.1 mi

Park

Princes Street Gardens

4400 ft

Landmark

The Scotch Whisky Experience

4400 ft

Museum

Dynamic Earth

3800 ft

Park

Holyrood Park

3800 ft

Botanical Garden

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

1.4 mi

Square

Grassmarket

4400 ft

Theatre

Royal Lyceum Theatre

4400 ft

University

University of Edinburgh

4600 ft

Nearby

2 Warriston's Close

The Real Mary King's Close

1300 ft

High St.

Royal Mile

1300 ft

Church

St Giles' Cathedral

1300 ft

Monument

Scott Monument

1300 ft

Museum

Museum of Childhood

1300 ft

32 Calton Hill

Nelson Monument

1400 ft

Store

Edinburgh Old Town

1300 ft

Theatre

Festival Theatre

1300 ft

Museum

The Writers' Museum

1300 ft

Nicolson Street

Surgeons' Hall Museum

1300 ft

Museum

Gladstone's Land

1300 ft

Public Building

The Scottish Parliament

1400 ft

Gallery

City Art Centre

1300 ft

Museum

John Knox House

1300 ft

43-45 High Street

Scottish Storytelling Centre

1400 ft

2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)

Brass Rubbing Centre

1300 ft

Restaurants

Bar 50

400 ft

50 Blackfriars Street

Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House

100 ft

56 Blackfriars Street Old Town

The Piemaker

1000 ft

38 South Bridge

Pilgrim Bar

300 ft

Cowgate

Greggs

400 ft

85/87 Rose Street

Burrito 'n' Shake

1100 ft

97-99 South Bridge

The Tron

900 ft

9 Hunter Square

Yocoko Noodle Bar

900 ft

45 South Bridge

Zenobia

1000 ft

14A South Bridge

Forsyth's Tea Room

600 ft

81 High Street Chalmers Close

Caffe Nero

800 ft

4 Waverley Bridge Road Unit 2-4 Waverley Station

Explore Edinburgh

National Museum of Scotland

5 minutes' walk

A cultural hub showcasing Scotland's history, natural history, and art, featuring unique exhibitions and free admission.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

14 minutes' walk

Official residence of the monarch in Scotland, offering stunning architecture and gardens, with guided tours available.

Edinburgh Castle

17 minutes' walk

Historic fortress with breathtaking views, home to the Honours of Scotland; offers immersive exhibits and a fascinating history.

Scott Monument

5 minutes' walk

A Gothic monument celebrating Sir Walter Scott; climb 287 steps for panoramic views of the city, surrounded by Princes Street Gardens.

Arthur's Seat Hike

25 minutes' walk

Challenging hike leading to an ancient volcano with exceptional views of Edinburgh. Accessible for those seeking an outdoor adventure.

Wellness Yoga Classes

10 minutes' walk

Relaxing sessions in nearby parks or studios. Ideal for calming the mind and body amidst busy city life; booking may be required.

The Piemaker

4 minutes' walk

Cozy eatery known for its savory pies, including vegetarian options, with a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a casual meal.

Bar 50

2 minutes' walk

Lively bar specializing in cocktails and local beers, offering a relaxed vibe and tasty tapas-style food; reservations not needed.

Pilgrim Bar

1 minute' walk

Trendy bar featuring live music and a vibrant atmosphere. Great for socializing or enjoying a laid-back night out in Edinburgh.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

17 minutes' walk

Interactive tour showcasing Scotland's whisky culture, includes tastings and captivating stories; perfect for enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Getting around

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 GBP 10.0 per person.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Languages

English, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Greek, Russian, Slovak

Year renovated:

2010

Number of floors:

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

A&O Edinburgh City offers a very central location, just a short walk from the train station and close to the Royal Mile, making it easy to explore Edinburgh's attractions. Guests appreciate the spacious rooms, with some even featuring two toilets and bathrooms, as well as convenient amenities like USB ports by the beds. There's a bar on site, along with vending machines, and a free luggage store, though some guests have noted noise from the bar and neighboring rooms late at night. For a reasonable price, it's a great option to stay in the city center.

Review score

Based on 4 verified reviews

9.0 /10

Perfect

100%

Recommend

Location

9.1/10

Staff

8.1/10

Facilities

7.0/10

Value for money

7.0/10

Pros

Comfortable beds

Excellent location

Helpful staff

Private shower

Cons

Unclean rooms

No security

Poor maintenance

Evelyn from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 16, 2026

9.0/10

Sweet stay near everything

convenient location free storage good value breakfast buffet

The location stood out. It was near main attractions. I found it simple to walk to sights I planned to visit. Free luggage storage was available, this helped me alot after checking out. The breakfast buffet offered good value. I appreciated its variety.

Finding the reception was a little difficult initially.

Facilities

9/10

The hotel provided free luggage storage. It was very convenient after check-out. There was a bar on site that held events each evening. This made the atmosphere lively.

Location

10/10

The location was very central. I could walk to several attractions. The train station was about ten minutes away. This helped my travel plans.

Dining

8/10

The hotel had a breakfast buffet. It provided a reasonable option. The selections included many choices. The price was affordable .

0 Helpful

Emerson from United States

Single

twin room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 15, 2026

9/10

great location liquid soap

the location felt great. it was quite easy to get to everything. they provide shower gel and liquid hand soap i thought.

the breakfast was very basic i believe and the coffee was awful for me.

0 Helpful

Joseph from United Kingdom

Triple Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 07, 2026

8.5/10

Surprisingly Great Value

larger room clean bathroom friendly staff

I got upgraded to a larger room. It included two separate toilets and bathrooms. All were clean with liquid soap. The breakfast was worth the price. It cost £9.95. The staff was friendly and helpful. They assisted me with my luggage.

The bar downstairs made noise after closing at 1 a.m. It interrupted my sleep. The noise was too loud.

Rooms

9/10

The Triple Room had individual curtains and power sockets for each bed. That was useful. There were also shelves and storage under the beds. The bathroom and toilet were located inside the room.

Service

8/10

The staff members were helpful and provided local tips about the area. They were always available at the reception. The communal area had games available. It was a great spot to meet other guests. The location was perfect!

0 Helpful

Elijah from United States

twin room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 31, 2025

9.4/10

totally awesome stay!

lovely place great guy next adventure

missing my train turned out great. i didn't expect much at £70 a night, especially not knowing it was a hostel. it was a lovely surprise, and the guy who showed us to our room was great. i will definitely be back, and i'm already planning my next adventure!

It got kinda loud sometimes. I could hear a lot of noise from outside at night.

Dining

9/10

A breakfast buffet is available and offers varied choices, including options, which are great for starting the day energized and ready to explore. The dining area is spacious, with plenty of seating.

Location

10/10

The hotel is very central, super convenient for seeing the sights and getting around. There are many attractions, shops, and restaurants within easy walking distance from the premises.

Facilities

9/10

The hotel has a lively bar. it is a great spot to begin the evening.

Service

10/10

The staff are excellent and always willing to help with any questions or requests. they provide prompt assistance and ensure a smooth check-in and check-out process. The team is super friendly, and efficient.

Rooms

9/10

The rooms are clean and spacious, offering enough space for comfort. Each twin room has storage space and a private shower. The beds are cozy.

0 Helpful

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