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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

2.5 star property
Hotel with a 24-hour front desk, a short walk to Royal Mile

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Photo gallery for Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

Stunning historic building with a robust facade and ornate detailing, featuring a prominent corner tower.
Perched atop a hill, this historic castle offers a glimpse into the past with its well-maintained garden and central fountain.
Restful retreat with a single bed and convenient power outlet.
Guests can access amenities and services in this public space.
Enjoy meals in a vibrant dining area with a colorful mural, wooden tables, and metal accents.

Reviews

6.6 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 17 of 17 rooms

6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 6 Twin Beds

6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 6
  • 6 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Large Twin Bunk Bed

Bed in 2-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

8-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 8
  • 8 Twin Beds

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 6 Twin Beds

Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

1 bedroom, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 1
  • 3 Twin Bunk Beds

Quadruple Room Ensuite

Highlights

Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Separate bedroom
Laptop workspace
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 4 Twin Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
94 -116 Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1JN

What's nearby

  • Royal Mile - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • University of Edinburgh - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Grassmarket - 6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Princes Street - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Edinburgh Castle - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles

Getting around

  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 5 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 10 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Piper's Rest - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Bannerman's Bar - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Bar 50 - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The City Cafe - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

Hotel remodeled in 2024 and located near Royal Mile
A short walk from University of Edinburgh and Princes Street, Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate provides a terrace, a garden, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Other perks at this hotel include:
  • Luggage storage, smoke-free premises, and a vending machine
  • A 24-hour front desk
Room features
All 230 rooms have comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, as well as perks like free WiFi.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lockers
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Renovated entire property - June 2024
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shower

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Laptop workspace

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Towels fee: EUR 4 per person, per stay (or guests may bring their own)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Long-term renters welcome

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hotel
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Edinburgh
Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hotel Edinburgh

Frequently asked questions

Is Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate located?

Located in Old Town Edinburgh, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Edinburgh Vaults, Royal Mile, and University of Edinburgh. Princes Street and Grassmarket are also within 10 minutes. Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) is 5 minutes by foot and Edinburgh Waverley Station is 6 minutes.

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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Reviews

Reviews

6.6
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 19 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 58 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.0/10

Staff & service

5.6/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Calvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place thank You
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Elisabeth

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is amazing. Staff is very nice. The shared bathroom was not perfectly clean and a bit smelly, that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

SUTHASINEE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really near market, castles, museum and compare with the price I’ll give it 10/10
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Jerilyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Felt safe and clean. Will definitely stay again if ever in Edinburgh.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great experience, exceeded my expectations over value for money. The bunks have privacy screens around the head and feet of the bed, which made sharing a room feel less invasive. Music can be heard from the bar around the front of the building (it’s summer, so we had the windows open) but it wasn’t an issue, my days were so packed with walking and exploring that I slept really well! I found the bed comfy. Showers did the job, I brought my own towel. Would recommend bringing a padlock for your locker if you are concerned about valuables, but it would better serve not bringing ‘valuables’ (if possible) in the first place. I love Edinburgh and a place like this really encourages me to visit more regularly. Thanks Safestay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The only downside was the noise from the doors outside our room banging, and the conversations being had outside our room late at night and early in the morning. But for £40, what would we expect? We'd stay again, though.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Liliane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
For just one night the hostel was ok. The only thing that bothered me was the large group of people who were together and talking very loudly and with music playing late at night.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

melvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Can’t say enough good about this place. Our second stay here. Staff and management are wonderful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Anne-Marie

Very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Hannah

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Beds and toilets were a little rickety, but otherwise it was pretty good. Convenient location, good staff, easy to get to places around it, and quite affordable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jess

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Would not recommend staying here, rude staff and constantly felt very unsafe in the building.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The bunk beds were rough. Saturday nights are noisy but other nights were quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Justin

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Outdated, not clean, hot water didn’t work. Loud, way better options around
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
If you need a good nights sleep, you won't get it here. But! It is clean, and I (solo female traveler) felt safe.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Helen

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I had a worst experienced in this hostel, its a small space and too noisy because the building is accross the pub bar and the toilets are so dirty and the showers terrible it won’t shut off and the water that came out was too hot! I am not gonna recommend this hostel to anyone!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Brittney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
No individual charging port, only had a power strip that had to be charged. No shelf or light in the bunks. No bathroom in the room, had to use a communal bathroom. Which would have been fine but two of the three showers were out of order and the toilet didn’t have toilet paper. Location was good.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

Rebecca

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lousy storage, have to pay for a lock. Poor room layouts. So loud opposite the pub
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Chiara

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Good but…

Good position but the service is very basic. You have to pay for any extra.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

STEPHEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff friendly & helpful. Room clean. Bed allocation system chaotic. Breakfast Extremely limited. No wi fi. Bathroom door lock poor
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Arthit

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The booking system is totally unreliable. Double booking of a same bed is common. Staff is trying very hard to fix this system errors but they keep coming. Maybe wait until they are really ready if you don't want to be a lab mouse.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

4/10 Poor

Karen

Disliked: Staff & service

April 2025 stay at Cowgate safestay

I like the location in old town. However it was very hot inside the rooms there were no fans and the windows did not open. The first room I was put into was so small before bunks that I could barely move and they put me on a top bunk which I requested a bottom bunk. I was very unhappy about this and asked to be moved. The initial response was no that they were full in fact overbooked and I was told they did not know where everyone was going to steep that night. This was disturbing news to me. What are the staff came back and offered to move me to a six bunk room someone had not checked in and there was a mix up. This was a completely satisfactory bed and there was room in the room to move however again it was hot and stuffy and the windows did not open. I found the continent of breakfast to be very expensive for what was offered. I was also not very impressive there was nowhere to store food in a cooler or fridge. It was quite noisy with a bar two bars across the street however I dear plugs in the noise didn't bother me. The slamming of the doors did. Although I really like the location I would not stay here again. It is not close to the tram from the airport however I did not mind the walk. I also felt nickled and dimed. Even though I had a reservation for that day they charged me for luggage storage and after I checked out and had a few hours to spare the charged me another few pounds. There's a lot that could be done to improve the services offered here.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Meret

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Massive facility that's poorly kept. No toilet paper, soap or toilet seats in the bathroom! Only sell (don't rent) towels for 6 pounds if you dare use their showers. Loud club across the street. We rented a private and were told when we checked in that the room wasn't available and we had to take a shared room instead. No solutions were available bc the manager wasn't onsite. If you like not sleeping, loud music and no safe place to lock up your stuff, then this is the place for you.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Zoe

Liked: Cleanliness

Not as advertised, expensive for not much

No hot water for the shower, no toilet in the en-suite I had paid for, no sanitary bins (communal mixed gender bathrooms even though paid for female ensuite room), no wifi or signal at the hostel which isn’t safe for solo travellers but also advertised as free wifi everywhere. No bar license yet so can’t serve drinks. Basically nothing that’s advertised is available, also charged double compared to what people in my room paid. Also randomly charged an extra £53 and not sure what for, noticed it on my banking once I got internet when in the city centre. Absolutely shocking. The guys on reception were helpful though at checkin.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Fatin Syahmina

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Ive never rated someone with a low rate but PLEASE READ this before you consider to stay at this place. I paid for 2 nights, and when i checked in they said the keys are broken. Hence, i didnt received any keys to check in. The staff brought me to my bed and said “here’s your bed, no 5”. 20 minutes later another woman came in and said to me “the staff said my bed is no 5.” Ive uneasy feeling of the staff didnt record our check in properly, but i just said “nvm you can stay in bed no 6”. Mind you everytime we go to the toilet, we need to stop the door with a bottle to prevent the door from being shutted (because we dont hv the keys). My nightmare didnt stop there. I went out for a hike at 2am (first night) and went back 1am on the next day just to find out that someone was sleeping on my bed and my stuff were gone. Crazy huh? When i checked with the receptionist, he said my bed was no 2. But even, bed no 2 ws also occupied!!! It was a long and hard day, but they let someone sleep on my bed and throw my stuff away. IM NOT EVEN CHECKING OUT YET. Solution? I need to wait like 30 minutes and they gave me new bed & room and i need to move all my things to the new room which was on the next level? Did i deserve this? The laundry also cant be used. They have no elevator. Oh u might want to turn the shower to the “cool” label if you wanna use hot water (: and always check if they have provided the tissue paper in the toilet first before you start your “business”. thank me later!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025