Cowgate Hostel Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hostel

Best hostel in Edinburgh. Very nice location easy to find and very close to the centre. Great prices and excelent rooms. Please stop charging people for later arrival though.

Hostel is a apartments with rooms for guests. Toilets, kitchen and shower shared in apartment, it's nice because queue in the morning not so high. Per key they take 10£ deposit.

The room reeked of vomit, loud bar opposite to the hostel, hence you can't sleep till 3 am; drunkards pissing and puking at the entrance, squeaky beds which juggle even if you turn sides while sleeping, no hot water in kitchen wash basin, neither in the toilet wash basins. Even after complaining about it, no action was taken by the hostel. The worst hostel in edinburgh. They don't change bed sheets and duvet covers for atleast 2 weeks. Very less utensils in the kitchen. No place to hang your clothes in the room. One Argentinian girl told me that they charge 4 pounds for a small breakfast while other hostels charge less than 2 pounds for the same. No iron if you want to iron your clothes. Reception is rude. Some receptionists are polite.

Worst hostel ever. Bed are old and dirty in a level that it is obvious that they didn't clean for more than a year. The bedding was cover of pieces paint that I asume it was falling from the ceil. I tried to change the room but the reception desk said me that there wasn't rooms empty and that I need to speak with the manager that will be on the morning. So I decided to stay for that night and cancel the next day that I have also reserved. Next day there wasn't any manager and have to call the company they denied that I asked for change of room the night before and they didn't give me the money for the extra night even when I didn't stay there. During the time that I was waiting in reception I saw a couple of girls that were stolen inside their rooms. Also, there is a very noisy pub with terrace that you can hear from the rooms. And many drunk people are around the door of the hostel building trying to get in or sleeping on the entrance. I wouldn't recommend at all. There are other nicest places for the same price and a better customer services.

The rooms, bathrooms and the kitchen are clean. The kitchen is equipped with a fridge, a freezer, a kettle and a microwave. I missed a toaster, though. The mattresses are comfy so you can have a good night's sleep. The location of the hostel is very, very convenient, some 2 minutes away from the Royal Mile, which is the old city centre. Overall good value for money.

Nice staff, clean rooms and facilities. Mattress was a but saggy but very comfortable. Hostel is centrally located which is great. It is also opposite a rather large open air party bar so if you're looking for a quiet place on a weekend try out of town. Luckily I really enjoyed the atmosphere and music :-) Also you can order a breakfast bag which is great value and could be used for lunch too. Would stay again.

The actual building isn't horrible, except there's no curtain /privacy screen in the bathroom with window facing other windows. The windows are old and don't keep any sound out — the noise from what is either a bar/club next door is unbearable. It's 2:30 am on a Monday. Between the drunk teenagers screaming & blasting music, the running into the flats, slamming doors, and the fact that it's impossible to sleep — it's a waste of money b/c the last thing anyone wants when traveling is to be exhausted & frustrated. This lasted until almost 5am. I explained what happened to the staff (who were somewhat apologetic) and they helped me switch rooms. If you do stay here bring earplugs.

If you just want a place to sleep and a kitchen available 24/7 without getting to know many people, then this is the place for you. Beside the kitchen, there is no living room or any entertainment and sometimes homeless people pee next to the doors!

The owner should definately be investigated, from not paying his staff the correct amount to not reporting the break in he had because he shouldn't of had the cash last year, the hostel has mould which the maintenance man is aware of and he refuses to do a good job… I personally find this two-faced cunt a very disturbing individual who likes to talk SHIT about everyone…
I DO NOT Recommend this SHIT hole of a Hostel to anyone…
And that stupid cunt whore who broke my headphones, really should of been swollowed.

All the staff were lovely and very helpful, and the accomodation is only next door to the hostel. The rooms were nice and clean with all bedding nicely folded at the end. (Duvet and pillow included) the kitchen was clean and included pans, plates glasses and cutlery. Toilets were kept nice and clean and the showers were hot but had a little low pressure. The fridge did have some old food and drink in. All in all a very nice stay for our group and we would visit it again.

Amazing place for the price, excellent value for money. You get more than you expect from a hostel. The rooms are in self-contained flats, very clean and cosy, sheets and towels are provided. The flats have a bathroom and toilet room, as well as a well equipped kitchen. I would definitely stay here again and can recommend it to every budget traveller!

Friendly room, very friendly reception.

I recommend the hostel, but the Wi-Fi works really bad.

In the middle of everything…! Best for going sleep after partying at cow gate locals.

Terrible experience. Extremly noisy in the room. Guests who were having a party without carring about who was trying to rest & staff coudn't do too much about it. Don't stay there! You will get no sleep and no respect for the expensive price paid.

The beds were comfortable, however the rooms are either too hot or too cold.

Overprised. Payed 45 euros for a private room with a double bed, but it wasnt mentioned that the bathroom was shared. Impossible to take a shower. Toilet was in a different room than the shower. The facilities were clean but the room was empty, dark, the door didnt lock and the heater didnt work. However, the staff was friendly and the hostel is well located in the center.

Stayed here for a few nights. Great location, so the noise can be allowed for. However there are a few problems. Tends to have a bad smell and a lack of shower/bathroom facilities for the number of people sharing the apartment. On a positive note, the staff are attentive and helpful.

If you need an accommodation in Edinburgh, I do recommend this place. During my stay, this hostel made me comfortable and it is especially cleaned. Besides, staff is very friendly and available with people. I'll come back for sure!

Fantastic staff. Rooms were clean and secure. ***** first week in September is fresher week. Makes it a little noisy.

Very decent flats for the price. Didn't have the cluttered feeling hostels sometime have. Reception allowed us to drop our luggage and were very friendly!

The location was great. In The middle of everything. Close to Edinburg Castle, The Royal mile, High street etc. If you just ned a bed, internet and a bath, this hostel Will do. Ok clean. — but nothing to hang your Coats on and no cupboards. — The kitchen's ok.

Stayed recently as part of a Stag Party. The hostel is very well located, next to Bars, Restaurants and other Nightlife, as well as walking distance to the Train station and other parts of central Edinburgh. The rooms were clean as were the communal facilities (Kitchens, Bathrooms), and the staff were very helpful.

Clean but basic. Bunk beds — never again. No chairs to sit on. Nowhere to hang clothes. It was just somewhere to sleep. Alright maybe if you are young. Would'nt recommend it and we won't be back.

Pros: the rooms were spacious and we were given a relatively full kitchen. Very good location. Around a 7 minute walk to the royal mile. Cons: it is directly next to the loudest night club in Edinburgh which makes it kind of hard to sleep. The kitchen could be fuller, and everything besides the room is exorbitantly expensive.

Beautiful hostel, good value for money. The houses arrangement connects fully finished kitchen where you meet other people. If you you feel like doing your cooking, you've got all you need. Quite homely. The hotel is very lean and the staff are courteous.

Fairly decent. Clean rooms, with tea / coffee and cookies. Ample paid parking around. We were there only for a night. Woke up to a deafening humming sound from some motor next doors. But otherwise, not bad.

It's literally just a bed. I don't think they have a bar or restaurant. But the location is good and it's cheap. The staff could have been more welcoming and friendly. Not just "your room is over there"

Booked five beds in a six bed male dorm. Was given two beds in one dorm, three beds in another, mixed… er, not what I asked for. Cold, noisy, dirty, but we're a band and used to roughing it. Definitely do not recommend this place unless like us, you are turning up late at night and are off first thing.

Good location, right in the old town. Only the basic necessities included in the room.

Comfy beds, great location and brilliant staff.

The staff here are great and since I was here last they've done a lot of remodeling and tried to update the place. However, it seems like every time I stay here, and I've been coming here since I was 12-13 years old, there is always awful people staying on the same floor as me. Rowdy drunks, obnoxiously loud girls. You name it. My first night here on my most recent trip, I spent most of the night listening to one of the other guests throw up in the toilet that was next door to my room. They were watching a football game and disappeared next door to the 3 Sisters to watch it but then came back and were watching it in the kitchen area. Being woken up by someone else vomiting is not what I had in mind when it came to getting a decent nights rest. The doors for everything are pretty heavy too and they have been letting them slam every which way and it shakes my door every time which can get annoying. The second day, one of their friends got locked out of the apartment and he sat there and just pounded on the door until his friends got up and let him in — keeping in mind it was like 9:30am when they did this. Now the next night they were all fairly quiet and we've gotten some new guests on the floor too. But basically, your experience here boils down to whether you have decent human beings as your flatmates or not. If not, then it isn't gonna be pleasant no matter how friendly and caring the staff is or how much free tea they give you. The location though is fantastic.

Fine but the bedroom doors can be opened by s.

Really enjoyable experience. Facilities were always clean, beds were comfortable and staff were very friendly. Would recommend it for any affordable hostel seekers.

The flat style rooms are quite awful. I was looking forward to that but the feeling is actually that it is abandoned to itself. My roommates were pretty sketchy on top of that and it was about the first time I felt unsafe in a hostel. Besides one of the only two toilets in the floor was out of service.

Friendly staff. Clean and cheap accommodation.

I had a horrible experience at this place and when I raised the issues with staff I was accused of trying to get a discount or refund and my complaint was not taken seriously. This is not a place I would recommend to anyone.

It was the schlechtestr hostel as I was! it was never cleaned only rarely the mueltonne changed the toilet was clogged. Outside it's loud but it can be overlooked. This is the smallest problem. The people at the reception have also rarely helped. Neighbors even had mice! never again.

Noisy bar across the street, 1 shower between 16 people in our flat and the kettle didn't work. No lockers and the beds sagged. It has a central location and good Wi-Fi but that's about it.

The worst accommodation I have ever had!

After a long search for a hostel in Edinburgh we're ultimately tourist Hostel in the Cowgate. Cheaper you can not stay in Edinburgh with security (10 pound P. P. And night). Our 6-person room was more or less clean. Unfortunately, there were no closets, no electrical outlets or a table in our room. Also the air conditioning did not work and the window on the ground floor could not open. Therefore, the air in the room was anything but good. The ceiling in the shower was mildew infested. Kitchen in our floor was alright.
Who has no particularly high demands, is here cheap and adequately housed to sleep.

Maybe the cheapest in town centre, but a little messy, not really clean. If you want to stay one night it's ok, but no more! I have to stay that the staff seems to be nice, but also not careful…

It is one of the cheapest hostels in town and it is right in the very centre of it, therefore you cannot expect much of a comfort and great range of facilities! :-) Toilet had strong smell of bleach, which in those places is a reassuring smell. Kitchen was fine with big-ish table and kettle worked. We haven't tried the shower facilities, cause the light did not work, but if you stay one night — you can live without a shower. ;-)

Stayed in the cheapest room for one night, this was 6 bunks, we shared with 2 others. Was good for the price (£10.50 pp per night) didn't really expect much, maybe they've improved themselves from last year? Or maybe it was out of season when we went (150 free beds). Hot shower, flushing toilets, working electric heater, fully working kitchen, even wireless internet that worked (most of the time). Guy at reception helpful. Was given a sheet, with our apartment number etc on it, was glad they don't use those sleep sheets anymore (ewwww) but they still have the diagram on the back. Weird to go back out of reception onto road for room. Generally ok.