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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

2.5 star property
Travelers can retreat to a peaceful garden for quiet moments or step outside to wander through Edinburgh's historic streets just steps from the door

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Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate brings vibrancy to its Royal Mile location while offering a tranquil garden where guests can escape the city bustle. The hotel provides in-room WiFi and puts visitors within walking distance of St. Giles' Cathedral and the charming Grassmarket area.

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
  • 24/7 front desk
The current price is AED 246
AED 295 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Jan - 19 Jan

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 17 of 17 rooms

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

View all photos for Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bunk Twin Room Ensuite

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

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

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

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 6-Bed Male Dorm Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

View all photos for Bed in 2-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Bed in 2-Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Highlights

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

View all photos for 8-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

8-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

6-Bed Private Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

View all photos for 6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

6-Bed Private Room Ensuite

Highlights

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

View all photos for Quadruple Room Ensuite

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Quadruple Room Ensuite

Highlights

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

View all photos for Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

Laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Quadruple Room Shared Bathroom

Highlights

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

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9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, 772 reviews
The price is AED 802
AED 963 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Jan - 19 Jan
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About the neighborhood

Located in Edinburgh City Centre, a neighborhood in Edinburgh, Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate is near the airport and near a train station. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed.
Visit our Edinburgh travel guideOpens in a new window
Map
94 -116 Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 1JN

What's nearby

  • Grassmarket - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • University of Edinburgh - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Royal Mile - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Princes Street - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 7 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 7 min walk
  • St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 11 min walk
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Three Sisters - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Luckenbooths - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Frankenstein - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Balcony Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪George IV Bar - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate

Hotel remodeled in 2024 and located near University of Edinburgh
A short walk from Royal Mile 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:
  • A 24-hour front desk, a vending machine, and smoke-free premises
  • Luggage storage
Room features
All 230 rooms have comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, as well as perks like free WiFi.

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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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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?

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 Edinburgh City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Parliament House, Grassmarket, and University of Edinburgh. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are also within 10 minutes. St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 11 minutes by foot and Princes Street Tram Stop is 13 minutes.

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Reviews

Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Reviews

6.8

6.8

Cleanliness

6.0

Amenities

7.2

Staff & service

6.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 107 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 27 out of 107 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 29 out of 107 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 107 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 17 out of 107 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Solange

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Over all a comfortable stay. It could definitely use some renovating and the stairs are strong concrete but molded oddly in certain areas. But the staff was extremely helpful and the area was very convenient for walking old Edinburgh.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vineeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The only small hiccup was the shower water pressure, it felt a bit weak. Other than that, the place was clean, central, and the staff were friendly. overall great!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location, perfect hostel for City Stays

Pleasant stay at the hostel. Having our own dorm was great and made it affordable for three people meeting up, visiting the City and just having a catch. Great location and close to the Cities parkrun that takes place on Saturday
Stayed 2 nights 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

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

8/10 Good

Anne-Marie

Very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

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

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

8/10 Good

Sydney

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hostel was very close to the heart of the city, so it was near shopping, food, and activities. We didn’t need public transport for anything except getting to the airport. The hostel is directly next door to an outdoor bar/music venue, so there was noise at all hours of the day. Since there is no A/C, the windows needed to stay open, so we were constantly hearing whatever was going on across the street. It didn’t bother us any, but it may bother you if you are a light sleeper and/or are traveling with children. My one critique of the hostel is that the bathrooms were quite dirty, and they smelled pretty bad.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 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

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

6/10 Okay

Monika

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Central but dirty

VERY much noise from the bar next door. The room was dirty. The beds were hard. Had to pay extra for towels and luggage storage. Friendly staff. Good location, very central. We stayed for four nights.
Stayed 4 nights 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

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

8/10 Good

OLIUL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Everything was good except the noise it was noisy till 4AM
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Rhojane

It was a great place. Near by at downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
good
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

ENRICO

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Safe
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Calvin

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

Ganesh Pandian

Liked: Staff & service
Value for money except minor complaint.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Nadia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
clean, spacious room and toilet. Not enough hanging hooks. Windows MUST be changed, loud music comes from the pub in front until 3 A.M !!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I liked the closeness to pubs and clubs & the smoking area. I hated the bunk beds & the noise of the people in the room with me. I didn't sleep at all
Big reception area was good but the room was awful. I couldn't sleep, the bunk beds are noisy & uncomfy.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Reygina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was easy to find ! The staff are all lovely and helpful ! Excellent location walking distance from everything ! A lot of toilets and washing facilities. Clean beds and lockers for your stuff ( bring your own lock ). Would recommend ear plugs because it’s right across from three sisters and they play live music until like 3 am but that’s no fault of the hostel at all! I was prepared by the reviews so I brought earplugs, eyelash and had a good night sleep. All in all good place and did the job 😁
Three sisters from the window
Hostel essentials !
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

james

Disliked: Room comfort

An ok place to stay if you love to party

The biggest thing that made my stay not so enjoyable,is that the bar across the street was so loud you heard the music in the room. Therefore it made it a bit challenging to go to sleep at night. Also outside of the hostel in the smoking area, the ashtrays were full. I asked the staff where I could empty the ashtrays. The staff said they would empty the ashtrays and they finally emptied them a day later.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025