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

A&O Edinburgh City – A Favorite for Families in Edinburgh

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Check rooms and rates
From$19 /night
Check-in
22Sept
Check-out
23Sept
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NE
-
Steps from the Historic Old Town
Very good
7.1
7.2
/10
2.5
/5

Budget-friendly hostel with its own nightclub and live events on Cowgate

Entertainment & Nightlife

The hotel operates its own on-site nightclub, Bar50, which functions as a well-known fixture in Edinburgh's nightlife scene. Guests can attend nightly events including karaoke, live music performances, stand-up comedy, and live sport events broadcast in the bar. The hotel also organizes pub crawls, walking tours, and classes about local culture for those who want to explore the city's social side.

Rooms & Accommodations

A&O Edinburgh City offers 131 rooms, from single and double rooms up to family rooms with a double bed and bunk bed, as well as multi-bed dormitories for 4 to 6 people. Every room includes a private bathroom with shower and toilet, and daily housekeeping is provided. The hotel also supplies baby strollers for guests traveling with small children.

Amenities & Services

A 24-hour front desk, luggage storage lockers, and a tour desk are available on site, along with an ATM/cash machine. Guests can use the shared lounge and TV area, outdoor terrace with picnic area and sun terrace, and a designated smoking area. The hotel offers laundry service, packed lunches, and vending machines for snacks and drinks.

Dining

On-site dining includes the hotel's own coffee house and a bar that serves wine, champagne, and a kid-friendly buffet with special diet menus. Breakfast is offered each morning, and the bar also provides a snack bar menu and kids' meals. Fruits are available as part of the dining options.

Pets & Accessibility

The hotel is pet-friendly and allows pets on the property. Facilities for disabled guests include wheelchair-accessible features, and the hotel has a lift to all floors. Family rooms, non-smoking rooms, and heating are standard throughout the building.

Highlights

Nightlife: On-site nightclub Bar50 with karaoke & live comedy

Rooms: 131 rooms with private bathrooms

Activities: Pub crawls, walking tours, local culture classes

Family: Family rooms and baby strollers available

Dining: Coffee house, kid-friendly buffet, bar with wine

Pets: Pets permitted on property

“For budget travelers, this could be it: the location places you steps from Edinburgh's Old Town. Just be prepared for some noise-and maybe bring your own soap. It's a spot where location trumps luxury, so adjust expectations accordingly.”
Hotel logo
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
  • Bed 4-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    14 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 6-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    16 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Bed 8-Bed Dormitory Room
    2 persons
    18 sq. feet
    1 Bunk bed
    Heating
    Shower
Show all rooms

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!
September 2026 - September 2027
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Choose dates to see prices
Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Very good
7.2/10Review 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

Guest Parking

  • No parking available.

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's Vibrant Scene
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
5 minutes walking
Exhibits on Scottish history and culture, including artifacts and interactive displays. Free admission makes it accessible.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
17-minute walk
Historic fortress with stunning views and the Scottish Crown Jewels. A must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse
14 minutes walking
Official residence of the Queen in Scotland, featuring beautiful gardens and historical significance.
Scott Monument
Scott Monument
5 minutes walking
Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, offering panoramic views of the city from its tower.
Arthur's Seat Hike
25 minutes walking
A rewarding hike with breathtaking views of Edinburgh. Great for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure.
The Meadows Park
17 minutes walking
Relaxing green space perfect for picnics, walks, and outdoor sports. Ideal for families and solo travelers.
Yoga at Green Health
7 minutes driving
Mindful yoga sessions offered in a serene environment. Pre-booking recommended for classes.
Bar 50
2 minutes walking
Casual bar serving local brews and snacks. Great atmosphere for unwinding after a day of exploring.
The Piemaker
4 minutes walking
Famous for its delicious pies made from fresh ingredients. A hearty meal option for all diners.
Pilgrim Bar
1 minute walking
Lively pub with great food, craft beers, and local whiskies. A favorite for casual dining.
Zara Fast Foods Pizza & Burger House
1 minute walking
Quick bites with a variety of pizzas and burgers. Perfect for families looking for a casual meal.
The Stand Comedy Club
10 minutes walking
Live comedy performances featuring established and emerging talent. Great fun for a night out.
Usher Hall
10 minutes walking
Historic concert hall hosting various live performances, from classical music to rock shows.
Bongo Club
15 minutes walking
Trendy nightclub with eclectic music styles and a vibrant atmosphere, ideal for nightlife enthusiasts.
Tips on navigating the city
  • City Centre
    Edinburgh 3 min  ·  700 ft
  • Airports
    Edinburgh (EDI) 21 min  ·  8.5 mi
    Glasgow (GLA) 133 min  ·  54.9 mi
  • Train
    Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 5 min  ·  1400 ft
  • Bus
    Bus stop 5 min  ·  1400 ft
Get access to exclusive early booking discounts for your family’s upcoming getaway
Book now and enjoy exclusive rates on your family vacation!
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 GBP 10.0 per person.
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

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
A&O Edinburgh City is often chosen for its prime location, just minutes from Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and right by the Royal Mile, making city exploration easy. Guests appreciate features like curtains on the beds that provide privacy and the convenience of having two toilets and two showers in some of the larger rooms. The on-site bar with nightly karaoke adds to the lively atmosphere, although some guests in courtyard-facing rooms have noted noise from evening entertainment that can last until late. Overall, many find it a good value, especially for those wanting to discover the city rather than looking for luxury.
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Review score
Based on 2305 verified reviews
6.8 /10
Nice
63 %
Recommend
Location
9.2/10
Staff
8.3/10
Paid Wi-Fi
5.9/10
Breakfast
6.1/10
Pros
Central location
Clean rooms
Luggage storage
Cons
Long check-in queue
Thin pillows
Unclean cutlery
Guest reviews
based on 2305 reviews
6.8/10
based on 5907 reviews
7.1/10
Joseph from United States
Triple Room
4 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: June 02, 2026
7/10
power socket well-equipped kitchen spacious room poor ventilation small bed sheets poor drainage
The room was spacious. Every bed had its own curtains and a power socket. I liked that the bathroom and toilet were in the room. The hotel has a well-equipped kitchen for free use.
The ventilation was poor. The shower room had very poor drainage and no divider so water accumulated in front of the toilet.
0 Helpful
Avery from United States
Single
Twin Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: February 15, 2026
7/10
clean room helpful staff unstable wifi broken lift
the staff there was helpful. the room was clean and beds was comfortable. its close to royal mile, too.
the wifi wasn't working after we got there. the lift also don't work at one time, and it was stuck at the 3rd floor. i didn't liked it.
0 Helpful
Gilbert from France
Single
Twin room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 30, 2026
8.5/10

great stay in convenient location

helpful staff quiet street clean bathroom accommodating personnel
the staff was very helpful and patient i noticed the location was great because it was near cowgate. the rooms faced a quieter street at night. the bathroom and shower area were clean. the on-site bar hosted events every night and the personnel were accommodating to guests
the room was super tiny and gave me the impression of a prison cell the sheets were not comfortable at all. there was no hair dryer provided in the room i found it quite disappointing. i will not return
Location
9/10
the hotel is located quite easily to reach everything around the town. the location offers convenient access to nearby attractions and public transportation. it's beneficial for exploring without extensive travel
Dining
8/10
the on-site bar had events every night which was a nice addition to the stay. the personnel in the bar were very accommodating to all guests. i noticed this even if they did not order drinks
0 Helpful
|
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Amelia from United Kingdom
Single
Twin room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: September 08, 2025
9/10

Central Stay with Good Amenities

central location full kitchen friendly staff
The location was very central and near many places. I liked the late check-out option for an additional fee. A full kitchen was available, and the luggage storage room helped a lot. Staff members were friendly and answered questions quickly.
The room lacked a place to hang clothes. There was no wardrobe, hooks, or hangers. This made it difficult to keep the room tidy.
Dining
8/10
Breakfast options are accessible in the mornings. I noticed the dining area offered ample seating . A bar is available and it provides a variety of beverages. The dining area also works as a social gathering place.
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About A&O Edinburgh City
How far is A&O Edinburgh City from the city center?
A&O Edinburgh City is located 700 meters from the shops and nightlife of Princes Street.
What are some nearby attractions to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby attractions include the National Museum of Scotland (0.5 km) and Holyrood Abbey (2 km).
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.
What dining options are available at A&O Edinburgh City?
A&O Edinburgh City features Bar50, which serves a food menu with pizza and bar fare along with a drink menu.
What amenities do rooms provide at A&O Edinburgh City?
Rooms at A&O Edinburgh City include reading lights, en-suite bathrooms with power showers, and some have bunk beds.
Is breakfast available at A&O Edinburgh City?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of 9 GBP.
What facilities are offered at A&O Edinburgh City?
Facilities include free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, a lounge area, laundry services, and a kids' buffet.
What types of entertainment does A&O Edinburgh City provide?
On-site entertainment options include live music, karaoke, and pub crawls.
How can guests travel to and from the airport from A&O Edinburgh City?
Waverley Station, the airport bus, and St Andrew Square tram stop are all within a short walking distance.
What can guests expect in terms of accessibility at A&O Edinburgh City?
A&O Edinburgh City is equipped with elevators for easy access to different floors.
Are there any nearby restaurants to A&O Edinburgh City?
Nearby dining options include David Bann, Mother India's Cafe, and The Banshee Labyrinth Pub & Restaurant, all located within 0.5 km.

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