A&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photoA&O Edinburgh City Exterior photo

A&O EDINBURGH CITY, Edinburgh

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Check rooms and rates
From$222 /night
Check-in
26May
Check-out
27May
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
-
Close to the Old Town
Very good
7.3
7.2
/10
2.5
/5

Location

A&O Edinburgh City is situated close to the heart of Edinburgh, just a short walk from the city's main attractions. The hotel is near the vibrant Leith area, known for its bars and restaurants, providing easy access to local culture. Edinburgh Waverley Train Station is only a 20-minute stroll away, making city exploration convenient.

Rooms

The hotel offers 107 comfortable rooms, accommodating various needs from single travelers to larger groups. Rooms are available in both shared dormitory-style options and private accommodations with en-suite bathrooms. With a youthful design and functional space, guests will find the essentials for an enjoyable stay.

Dining

A&O Edinburgh City features an on-site bar where guests can relax with drinks and snacks in a casual atmosphere. The hotel also offers a breakfast buffet available each morning, providing various options to start the day. Guests can enjoy discounted meals and beverages at the bar, enhancing the overall experience.

Family-Friendly

The hotel welcomes families, offering spacious rooms that can accommodate up to six guests. Children under 18 can stay for free when sharing a room with their parents. A special children's play area is also available, ensuring young guests have plenty of fun.

Entertainment

A&O Edinburgh City provides a shared lounge area where guests can socialize and enjoy games. The hotel hosts various events that encourage interaction among guests, including movie nights and pub quizzes. Those looking to explore will find many activities nearby to enhance their stay.

Highlights

Location: Close to Leith and main attractions

Rooms: 107 comfortable rooms for various needs

Dining: On-site bar with discounted meals

Family-Friendly: Free stay for children under 18

Entertainment: Shared lounge with games and events

Must-do experiences

  • Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia for a glimpse of royal history.
  • Try haggis at The Bongo Club for a true Scottish dining experience.
  • Explore the picturesque Dean Village just a short walk from us.
  • Stroll through the vibrant Stockbridge Market on weekends for local delights.
  • Discover the hidden gems at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates
  • Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    14 m²
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    16 m²
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    18 m²
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
Show all rooms

View our calendar

Check prices and secure your dates today
May 2026 - May 2027
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Check-in/ Check-out

Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay
Facilities: Very good
7.4/10Review 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
Show more

A&O Edinburgh City Location

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
Explore Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
5 minutes' walk
A treasure trove of Scottish history, showcasing everything from dinosaur skeletons to the Stone of Destiny.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
17 minutes' walk
Historic fortress offering panoramic city views and rich history, with the Honours of Scotland on display.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse
14 minutes' walk
The Queen's official Scottish residence, featuring beautiful gardens and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey.
Scottish National Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
17 minutes' walk
Home to an impressive collection of European paintings and sculptures, including works by Van Gogh and Monet.
Arthur's Seat Hike
25 minutes walking
A challenging hike with stunning views of the city, perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers.
Yoga Classes at The Meadows
17 minutes' walk
Relaxing outdoor yoga sessions available, suitable for all levels, offering a restorative experience.
Bar 50
2 minutes' walk
Trendy bar known for its craft cocktails and relaxed vibe, perfect for a casual evening out.
The Piemaker
4 minutes' walk
Famous for its delicious handmade pies, this eatery offers a taste of local comfort food.
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
1 minute walking
Offering quick and tasty pizza and burger options, ideal for a quick bite.
Pilgrim Bar
1 minute walking
Lively pub with a great selection of local brews and live music events, creating a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth
14 minutes' walk
Interactive science center with fun exhibits about Earth's history, appealing to families and curious minds.
Getting around the city
  • City Centre
    Edinburgh 3 min  ·  200 m
  • Airports
    Edinburgh (EDI) 21 min  ·  13.6 km
    Glasgow (GLA) 133 min  ·  88.3 km
  • Train
    Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 5 min  ·  400 m
  • Bus
    Bus stop 5 min  ·  400 m
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Check Rates
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:
540
Former name
Safestay Edinburgh

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

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, putting guests within walking distance of key attractions and close to Waverley train station. The rooms often surprise visitors with unexpected amenities like hair straighteners in some cases, and many feature practical bunk bed designs that include curtains, personal spotlights, USB ports, and electric sockets. Guests frequently mention the convenience of having two shower rooms and two toilet rooms in the larger dorms, though some have noted that rooms can sometimes get warm. The hotel also offers useful facilities such as a downstairs bar area, vending machines, and a free luggage store.
Show moreShow less
Review score
Based on 2312 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
Great location
Good solution
Gentle employees
Good atmosphere
Cons
Rigid rules
Disgusting bathrooms
Noisy surroundings
Noisy garden
Guest reviews
based on 2312 reviews
6.8/10
based on 5743 reviews
7.3/10
John from United States
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 12, 2026
6/10
central location clean bathroom rigid service no luggage drop
the location was great and central (easy to get around). the shared room i stayed in had two bathrooms for 8 people that were kept quite clean for a hostel.
the service felt rigid with their rules. i wanted to drop my luggage even just 10 mins before check in time but they didn't allow that. also, they handed me my bedsheets, pillow cover and duvet cover after i checked in. i really wanted to ask them why they couldn't fix the bed for me after they had hours after checkout to prepare the room.
0 Helpful
Ella from United Kingdom
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed: October 15, 2025
8.5/10

Clean and Convenient Stay

central location super clean room helpful staff
The location was central and very convenient for accessing various attractions. My room was super clean and well kept. The staff were helpful and accommodating (they provided quick assistance with any questions). I appreciated the bar. It created a vibrant social atmosphere.
The room I stayed in was a bit small for four people, so space was limited.
Facilities
9/10
The hotel features an on-site bar that hosts nightly events. Luggage storage is available . There are laundry facilities for washing clothes, if needed.
Rooms
8/10
My room had a private bathroom with shower gel and liquid hand soap (much better than expected). A desk was available for working, quite useful. The ceiling height was adequate. No danger of bumping heads on the upper bunk.
0 Helpful
|
Show more
Callum from United Kingdom
true
Twin Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: July 15, 2025
7/10
central location private bathroom liquid hand soap overcrowded area limited option additional charge
The location was central. It was quite easy to get to many places. The room had a private bathroom with a desk. They provided shower gel and liquid hand soap.
The reception area got overcrowded near the entrance. The breakfast options were very limited.
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 from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00.
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the National Museum of Scotland?
The hotel is approximately 400 meters from the National Museum of Scotland.
What are the breakfast options available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 9 GBP.
What type of rooms are offered at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel offers single, double, family rooms, and multi-bed rooms for 4 to 6 people.
What dining options are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
The hotel features a lively bar and pub called Bar 50, which serves a food menu with pizza and bar fare.
Which nearby restaurants can guests find close to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby restaurants include David Bann, Mother India's Cafe, Greggs, Pilgrim Bar, and The World's End, all within 0.5 km.
What amenities can guests expect in the rooms at A&O Edinburgh City?
Rooms are equipped with reading lights, en-suite shower rooms, and spacious interiors.
What entertainment activities are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Entertainment options include billiards, live music, karaoke, nightclub events, and pub crawls.
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from Princes Street?
The hotel is located approximately 700 meters from the shops and nightlife of Princes Street.
Does A&O Edinburgh City provide internet access?
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
What are some highlights of A&O Edinburgh City?
Highlights include a 24-hour reception, snack bar, coffee shop, and lounge area.

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