What is the distance from A&O Edinburgh City to the city center?
A&O Edinburgh City is located just 700 meters from the shops and nightlife of Princes Street.
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A&O EDINBURGH CITY, Edinburgh
208US$
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Key details
About the Hotel
50 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom,
EH1 1NE,
Edinburgh
- Close to the Old Town
Very good
7.3
7.2
2.5
Loved by A&O Edinburgh City guests
"We had two toilets and two showers in the 8-bed room!."
"The rooms were impeccable and we were very happy with the compliance with current regulations (as you can imagine we were wary of how it would be)."
"I appreciated the restaurant and bar that was on the ground level."
Location
A&O Edinburgh City is situated in the heart of Edinburgh, making it accessible to key attractions. The hotel is a short
Room Types
The hotel offers a variety of room types, including
Dining Options
A&O Edinburgh City includes an on-site bar and breakfast area serving
Amenities
The hotel features a
Parking Facilities
A&O Edinburgh City includes
Highlights
Location: 10-minute walk from Waverley Station
Rooms: shared dormitories and private rooms
Dining: breakfast buffets daily
Amenities: game area with billiards
“A&O Edinburgh City stands out for its excellent staff, often mentioned as a highlight, and a sociable ground-floor restaurant and bar. The central location makes it easy to explore the city on foot. In my opinion, this is a practical base for budget-conscious travelers, offering a clean and well-maintained environment.”
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Select your room type
The hotel provides a selection of rooms—doubles, family rooms, and suites—with perks like free cancellation, breakfast options, and great value deals
Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
room details
Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
175 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
room details
Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
195 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
room details
Bed 10-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
room details
Show all roomsLess
Room rates & availability calendar
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Amenities & services
Real traveler stories and honest reviews—no glossy ads, just authentic feedback to guide your booking
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,
Edinburgh
Map view
50 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom,
EH1 1NE,
Edinburgh
City landmarks
Museum
Edinburgh Castle
4400 ft
Landmark
Arthur's Seat hike
1.4
mi
Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
3800 ft
Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
4400 ft
Park
Princes Street Gardens
4400 ft
Museum
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
4400 ft
Landmark
Calton Hill
1.1
mi
Park
Holyrood Park
3800 ft
Museum
Dynamic Earth
3800 ft
Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1.4
mi
Museum
The Museum of the Royal Scots and the Royal Regiment of Scotland
4400 ft
Landmark
The Scotch Whisky Experience
4400 ft
Square
Grassmarket
4400 ft
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
Local Highlights
National Museum of Scotland
5 minutes walking
Home to diverse collections, this museum showcases Scotland's history and culture, featuring free entry and interactive exhibits.
The Real Mary King's Close
5 minutes walking
Historic close with guided tours showcasing Edinburgh's underground city life; a unique glimpse into the city's past.
Scott Monument
5 minutes walking
Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott; climb its 287 steps for panoramic city views.
Edinburgh Castle
17 minutes walking
Iconic fortress atop Castle Rock; explore rich history, the Honours of Scotland, and stunning views from the battlements.
Bar 50
2 minutes walking
Casual bar offering a diverse menu; enjoy burgers and local beers in a vibrant atmosphere. Reservations not needed.
The Piemaker
4 minutes walking
Famous for its hearty savory pies; perfect for a quick, delicious meal. Vegetarian options available.
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
1 minute walking
Quick service for pizza and burgers; great for families looking for casual dining at any time.
Pilgrim Bar
1 minute walking
Lively bar known for craft beers and live music; features weekly open mic nights in a friendly atmosphere.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
17 minutes walking
Interactive exhibition with optical illusions and an impressive rooftop view; fun for all ages, with tickets available onsite.
Getting around town
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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
What past guests shared about their stay
Show moreShow less
Pros
Central location
Clean rooms
Luggage storage
Good value
Breakfast included
Cons
Long check-in queue
Thin pillows
Noisy environment
Guest reviewsbased on 2294 reviews
Jennifer from United Kingdom
Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 10, 2026
8.8/10
Excellent Central Location and Helpful Staff
spacious roomclean bathroomquiet nightgood breakfast
i was pleased with the 10-bed roomwith ample space with its well-arranged bunk beds. it included two separate toilet and bathroom sets, all kept clean and equipped with liquid soap. the bar on the ground floor did not disrupt my sleep, and the room remained quiet throughout the night. i found the breakfast to be very good and certainly worth the £9.95 price (especially the fresh pastries).
Service
9/10
The staff members were notably helpful and friendly. Adam, ryan, and lawrence provided great assistance. they were always available and ready to answer my questions with a smile, enhancing the experience. this.
Dining
8/10
the breakfast offered good value. it included a sufficient variety of items that catered to different dietary preferences. the dining area was also kept clean, and the staff were quick to replenish items as needed, demonstrating excellent service.
Location
10/10
The location was excellent. Many attractions and key areas were easily accessible (close proximity to bus and train stations). the hotel's placement made it easy to navigate the area and explore various points of interest. i could walk to most of the places i wanted to see.
Facilities
9/10
I appreciated the free comedy show held at the bar. It added a fun and entertaining element to my stay. the bar was well-stocked with a variety of drinks. it provided a nice atmosphere for socializing and relaxing after a day of sightseeing.
Rooms
8/10
the room was quite spacious and clean. it included individual curtains and power sockets for each bed. this allowed each guest to have their own personal space within the shared room which was a really welcome addition.
0 Helpful
|
Avery from Canada
Couple
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 06, 2026
8.5/10
surprisingly super clean
amazing locationsuper clean roomhelpful stafffree storage
the location was amazing and right off the royal mile. i loved that the room felt super clean when i arrived. i found the staff very helpful with directions and local tips. free luggage storage was a bonus and so convenient.
The bedroom had a smell that wasn't the best. Perhaps better ventilation is needed.
Facilities
9/10
the hostel includes a bar area for drinks, chilling and socializing. nightly activities are arranged for people to socialize. this is a really nice idea, especially for solo travelers and small groups looking to connect.
Rooms
8/10
i got a twin room, it was very neat. beds were comfy, i slept well. the showers were clean, i think they cleaned the rooms often, i did see them.
0 Helpful
|
Evelyn from United Kingdom
Couple
Twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 03, 2026
9/10
luggage storagepleasant folks
the luggage storage option before check-in was so helpful. it made exploring possible right away. the front desk folks were quite pleasant i found.
0 Helpful
Christian from Germany
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 01, 2026
8.7/10
a pleasant stay
helpful staffgreat locationprivate room
the staff were helpful at reception! the location is wonderful. i got a private room with my friend. it had a double bed and a top bunk!
Service
9/10
the staff was polite! friendly and understanding of foreigners. they were patient, even with dozens of customers checking in and out for payments. i felt welcomed.
Facilities
8/10
the hostel offered a cagey safe box! it proved useful for my belongings. the 24/7 reception gave a feeling of security. the location was close to many sightseeing points.
Rooms
9/10
my room included a shower, a toilet and a sink! a complimentary towel was a nice addition. the bed was ok for the duration. clean toilet and shower.
0 Helpful
|
Oliver from United Kingdom
Single
twin room
4 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 01, 2026
9.0/10
surprisingly neat stay
central locationcomfy bedswonderful areasmissing exhaust
The hotel is close to the royal mile. i found it easy to reach many shops. restaurants were also nearby! i appreciated the social areas. They were wonderful. the beds were really comfy.
the bathroom lacked an exhaust fan. this resulted in poor ventilation and added to discomfort. it was quite inconvenient. i hope they address it soon.
Dining
8/10
the hotel has a pub downstairs providing convenient options for drinks and socializing. the bar offers a selection of beverages until late, which works well for evening relaxation. snacks are available too.
Facilities
9/10
a well-equipped kitchen is available for free use by guests. the kitchen includes multiple cooking stations. there are several shelves and storage spaces under the beds in the rooms too.
Rooms
10/10
each bed has its own curtains and power socket, offering privacy and convenience. the room was spacious! a bathroom and toilet were inside the room, very useful.
0 Helpful
|
Emma from United Kingdom
Family with children
Twin Room
2 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed:November 02, 2025
6/10
hot roominoperable tv
The room was very hot! A fan was available. but it barely helped. The TV was newly installed and not yet working, and there was no remote. It was frustrating. We got a disabled bathroom. the mirror was at wheelchair height, inconvenient. I believe the room was overpriced considering the circumstances.
0 Helpful
Joseph from United States
Twin room
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed:September 27, 2025
6/10
helpful stafffirm mattresspoor ventilation
The staff at reception provided assistance when required.
The mattress was excessively firm. Sleep was difficult. The room lacked proper ventilation. This caused considerable discomfort overnight.
0 Helpful
FAQs
About A&O Edinburgh City
What are the check-in and check-out times at A&O Edinburgh City?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
Are there any dining options at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel features Bar 50, which serves a food menu with pizza and bar fare, as well as a drink menu.
What are some nearby restaurants to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby restaurants include David Bann, Larder Go, and Greggs, all within 0.5 km.
Does A&O Edinburgh City offer free Wi-Fi?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
What types of rooms are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Room options include single, double, family rooms with bunk beds, and multi-bed rooms for 4 to 6 people.
What entertainment options are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Guests can enjoy billiards, karaoke, live music performances, and pub crawls on-site.
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the nearest major attractions?
The hotel is approximately a 5-minute walk from the National Museum of Scotland and 1 km from Holyrood Abbey.
Is breakfast available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 9 GBP.
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