A&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Business photo
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From229US$ /night
Check-in
20Apr2026Select date
Check-out
21Apr2026Select 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
7.2
7.2
/10
2.5
/5

Featuring an ATM and a lift, the 2-star A&O Edinburgh City hotel is located about a 5-minute walk from The Real Mary King's Close. This Edinburgh hostel offers 24-hour reception and express check-out as well as Wi-Fi in public areas.

Location

Arthur's Seat hike is 2.2 km away, and the 16th-century Palace of Holyroodhouse is in the vicinity of the smoke-free hotel. Located in the historic old town, the A&O Edinburgh City is within 10 minutes' walk of Edinburgh Old Town.

The historic fortress "Edinburgh Castle" is merely 1.3 km away, and Edinburgh Waverley is situated right around the corner from this accommodation.

The hotel is located 100 km from Dundee airport and 300 metres from Museum of Childhood bus stop.

Rooms

Staying at one of the 530 rooms at A&O Edinburgh City hotel, guests have access to a kitchen. Additional bathrooms include nice touches such as towels.

Eat & Drink

The café is open daily for breakfast. For a drink, you can stop by the elegant lounge bar. It also features a lounge for guests' comfort. There is a restaurant serving Nepali food approximately 5 minutes' walk away.

Leisure & Business

The property offers such entertainment options as live performances, a nightclub, and karaoke.

“This property's central location truly surprised me, a short walk to major attractions. The staff's accommodating nature stood out. For budget travelers, it's a practical choice, though one should know that it is a hostel, not a hotel.”
Hotel logo
James DavidEditor-in-Chief at Dogfriendly-hotels
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Select your room type

The hotel provides many room choices—family rooms, doubles, and pet-friendly suites—with breakfast, free cancellation, and special offers
Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
16 m² 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
18 m² 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
Bed 12-Bed Dormitory Room
2 persons
21 m² 
1 Bunk bed
Shower
Heating
Quadruple Room
2 persons
14 m² 
2 Single beds
Shower
Heating
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Rates & availability calendar

See current prices and availability for your chosen dates!

Facilities

Hotels feature amenities designed to keep both you and your pet comfortable
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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Hotel 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
390 m
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
390 m
High Street 2 Warriston's Close
The Real Mary King's Close
390 m
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
390 m
Monument
Scott Monument
390 m
32 Calton Hill
Nelson Monument
420 m
Store
Edinburgh Old Town
390 m
Museum
The Writers' Museum
390 m
Museum
Gladstone's Land
390 m
Nicolson Street
Surgeons' Hall Museums
390 m
Museum
Museum of Childhood
390 m
Museum
John Knox House
390 m
53 Princes Street
Princes Street
390 m
2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)
Brass Rubbing Centre
390 m
Church
Mercat Cross
100 m
Gallery
City Art Centre
390 m
Cemetery
The Robertson Mausoleum
390 m
Restaurants
Bar 50
100 m
50 Blackfriars Street
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
10 m
56 Blackfriars Street Old Town
The Piemaker
290 m
38 South Bridge
Pilgrim Bar
70 m
Cowgate
Greggs
110 m
85/87 Rose Street
Burrito 'n' Shake
330 m
97-99 South Bridge
The Tron
270 m
9 Hunter Square
Yocoko Noodle Bar
250 m
45 South Bridge
Zenobia
290 m
14A South Bridge
Forsyth's Tea Room
180 m
81 High Street Chalmers Close
Caffe Nero
230 m
4 Waverley Bridge Road Unit 2-4 Waverley Station
Explore Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh from A&O Edinburgh City
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
5 minutes' walk
A treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits highlighting Scottish history, with stunning architecture and free admission.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
17 minutes' walk
A historic fortress dominating the skyline, offering panoramic views and rich royal history; well worth the visit.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse
14 minutes' walk
The official residence of the monarch in Scotland, featuring beautiful gardens and opulent rooms open for public tours.
Scott Monument
Scott Monument
5 minutes' walk
A towering Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, offering a climb for stunning city views.
Arthur's Seat hike
Arthur's Seat hike
25 minutes' walk
A challenging hike offering breathtaking views over Edinburgh; perfect for adventure seekers looking for nature.
Yoga in the Meadows
18 minutes' walk
Relaxing yoga sessions held in a picturesque park setting, ideal for unwinding amidst nature after a busy day.
Bar 50
Bar 50
2 minutes' walk
A lively bar with a vibrant atmosphere featuring local beers and cocktails; perfect for casual dining.
The Piemaker
The Piemaker
4 minutes' walk
Renowned for its delicious handcrafted pies, offering a cozy dining experience with options for various diets.
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
1 minute' walk
A casual eatery serving quick bites like pizza and burgers; ideal for a speedy meal after a day of sightseeing.
Pilgrim Bar
Pilgrim Bar
1 minute' walk
A vibrant bar featuring local music, craft beers, and a relaxed atmosphere, with regular live performances.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
17 minutes' walk
An intriguing attraction with optical illusions and family-friendly exhibits, it's fun for all ages.
Local transport and travel tips
City Centre
Edinburgh3 min  ·  200 m
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI)21 min  ·  13.6 km
Glasgow (GLA)133 min  ·  88.3 km
Train
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station5 min  ·  400 m
Bus
Bus stop5 min  ·  400 m
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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 is appreciated for its central location, within easy reach of the city center and a short walk from the Royal Mile, making it convenient for exploring. Guests often highlight the presence of a lively bar with karaoke, right on-site, and some rooms face the courtyard. While most find the location ideal, a few guests have occasionally mentioned noise from the bar at night. The hostel also offers practical amenities such as a guest kitchen and beds equipped with curtains for added privacy.
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Review score
Based on 2293 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
Central location
Clean rooms
Good value
Luggage storage
Cons
Long queues
Thin pillows
Noisy bar
Guest reviews
based on 2293 reviews
6.8/10
based on 5694 reviews
7.2/10
Ella from Germany
Couple
Twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 31, 2026
6/10
convenient locationtrain stationawful noiselate music
the location worked fine, being close to the train station.
the noise at night was awful. music from the bar went on late, i couldn't sleep properly because of it. i should have requested a room away from the noise.
0 Helpful
Grace from United Kingdom
Single
Twin room
2 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed:November 25, 2025
9/10

central location, great value

helpful staffexcellent locationon-site bargreat value
I found the staff very helpful. They managed check-ins efficiently! the location on cowgate was excellent, close to nightlife but the room faced a quieter street, i appreciated that. the on-site bar had events nightly. the price for a two-night stay during a festival was a fantastic value.
the light next to my bed was loose, so i couldn't use it!
Service
9/10
the staff was really patient and helpful during check-in! they were also quick to assist with any questions i had . i found their friendly demeanor reassuring and it definitely contributed to a positive overall experience!
0 Helpful
|
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Ella from United Kingdom
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:November 24, 2025
9.0/10

great central hub

clean roomcentral locationhot water
my twin room was clean and had enough space for my luggage. the location was great, close to the main city attractions and waverley station. they have internal rules, so i felt secure, and hot water was available anytime.
the bar could be a little noisy at times.
Dining
8/10
the hotel bar offered decent prices on food and drinks. they had a coffee machine that served special coffees during breakfast, a really nice touch to start the day.
Facilities
9/10
the room has two seperate shower rooms with toilet, so it was very conveninent. also, a kitchen was available for free use, and includes all needed appliances, that i used to prepare some meals.
Service
10/10
the staff at reception was friendly and helpful. a receptionist always available, even when my flight arrived in the late hours. the check-in was smooth and hassle-free, i really loved it.
Location
9/10
positioning of the hotel is really good because is very close to everything. royal mile is meters away, and there are many shops and restaurants nerby, so i can always find something to do.
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About A&O Edinburgh City
What time is check-in and check-out at A&O Edinburgh City?
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the city center?
The hotel is located 700 meters from the shops and nightlife of Princes Street.
What local attractions are close to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby attractions include the National Museum of Scotland (0.5 km), Scott Monument (1 km), and Holyrood Abbey (1 km).
Is there on-site dining at A&O Edinburgh City?
Guests can enjoy food and drink at Bar 50, the hotel's on-site pub and restaurant.
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 include reading lights, en-suite bathrooms with power showers, and options for bunk beds.
What entertainment options does A&O Edinburgh City offer?
The hotel features evening entertainment, karaoke, live music, and a nightclub.
What facilities are available for guests at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, a locker room, and a lounge area.
Are there any nearby restaurants to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby restaurants include David Bann, Mother India's Cafe, and The World's End, all approximately 0.5 km away.
Does A&O Edinburgh City have business services?
The hotel provides secure key-card access and assistance from helpful staff.
What types of rooms are offered at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel offers single and double rooms, family rooms, and multi-bed dormitories.
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the nearest train station?
Waverley Station, the nearest train station, is a short walk from the hotel.

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Check-in
20Apr2026Select date
Check-out
21Apr2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room