A&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Business photo
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From36US$ /night
Check-in
13May2026Select date
Check-out
14May2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1NE
-
Steps from the Royal Mile
Very good
7.3
7.2
/10
2.5
/5

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.

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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
Shower
Heating
Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
195 sq. feet 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
Bed 10-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
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Facilities

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

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1NE
Map view
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1NE
Nearby
Museum
National Museum of Scotland
1300 ft
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
1300 ft
High Street 2 Warriston's Close
The Real Mary King's Close
1300 ft
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
1300 ft
Monument
Scott Monument
1300 ft
32 Calton Hill
Nelson Monument
1400 ft
Store
Edinburgh Old Town
1300 ft
Museum
The Writers' Museum
1300 ft
Museum
Gladstone's Land
1300 ft
Nicolson Street
Surgeons' Hall Museums
1300 ft
Museum
Museum of Childhood
1300 ft
Museum
John Knox House
1300 ft
53 Princes Street
Princes Street
1300 ft
2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)
Brass Rubbing Centre
1300 ft
Church
Mercat Cross
400 ft
Gallery
City Art Centre
1300 ft
Cemetery
The Robertson Mausoleum
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
Explore Edinburgh
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
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
Palace of Holyroodhouse
14 minutes' walk
Official residence of the monarch in Scotland, offering stunning architecture and gardens, with guided tours available.
Edinburgh Castle
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
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
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
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
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
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
Edinburgh3 min  ·  700 ft
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI)21 min  ·  8.5 mi
Glasgow (GLA)133 min  ·  54.9 mi
Train
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station5 min  ·  1400 ft
Bus
Bus stop5 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:
530
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 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.
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Review score
Based on 2294 verified reviews
6.8/10
Nice
63%
Recommend
Location
9.2/10
Staff
8.5/10
Paid Wi-Fi
6.0/10
Breakfast
6.3/10
Pros
Comfortable beds
Excellent location
Helpful staff
Private shower
Cons
Unclean rooms
No security
Poor maintenance
Guest reviews
based on 2294 reviews
6.8/10
based on 5730 reviews
7.3/10
Evelyn from United Kingdom
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 16, 2026
9.0/10

Sweet stay near everything

convenient locationfree storagegood valuebreakfast 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
|
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Emerson from United States
Single
twin room
4 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 15, 2026
9/10
great locationliquid 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 roomclean bathroomfriendly staffloud noise
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
|
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Elijah from United States
twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:December 31, 2025
9.4/10

totally awesome stay!

lovely placegreat guynext 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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FAQs
About A&O Edinburgh City
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the National Museum of Scotland?
The hotel is located approximately 400 meters from the National Museum of Scotland.
What are the check-in and check-out times at A&O Edinburgh City?
Check-in is available from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
Is breakfast available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 10 GBP.
What dining options are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel features Bar50, a lively restaurant and bar that serves pizza and other bar fare.
Are any nearby restaurants available within walking distance of A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby restaurants include David Bann, Larder Go, Greggs, Pilgrim Bar, The World's End, and The Banshee Labyrinth Pub & Restaurant, all within 300 meters.
What room amenities can guests expect at A&O Edinburgh City?
Rooms at the hotel feature Wi-Fi, reading lights, and small en-suite shower rooms.
Does A&O Edinburgh City offer any entertainment options?
The hotel offers evening entertainment, including karaoke, live music, and pub crawls.
How close is A&O Edinburgh City to the shops and nightlife of Princes Street?
The hotel is located just 700 meters from the shops and nightlife of Princes Street.
What facilities does A&O Edinburgh City offer for guests?
The hotel features a 24-hour reception, Wi-Fi, a locker room, and a leisure room.
Are there family room options available at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel offers spacious family rooms with a double bed and bunk bed(s).

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Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room