Edinburgh Metro Hostel

Myself and my 13 year old son stayed at this hostel for two nights in Aug 2010. Although I thought a little pricey at the time I put this down to it being within the Fringe Festival season. It wasn't until I chatted with other users that I had been charged top rate, my reason, wanting a double room to share with my young son. It would seem I had been charged approximately £26 between us extra per night. Not what you want to hear when your watching the pennies and most definitely not mentioned when I booked. I think SYHA should consider that the price is over the top for the basic facilities it has and consider child prices at a discounted rate.

The parking was a nightmare and something everyone needs to consider when using this hostel. I had telephoned before hand and made sure parking was available for me and had been told it was, when I got there I was told there where no places and the not very helpful reception staff where indeed, not very helpful.
If your booking a room ask about parking at the hostel there and then and make sure it is documented that you have requested a place. GET A RECEIPT TO SAY SO, or you will be frustrated and disappointed as well as out of pocket if you have to pay for on street or private parking. If it wasn't for the very helpful Mark who works there I would have been well and truly left in the lurch as I had a car full of camping equipment, so thank you to him !

The rooms can sometimes be quite a climb to get to. Our was on the fifth floor and a climb so it is something to consider if you have mobility problems.
On the whole it was clean but basic, but not worth the money I payed. Its a steep 5 minute walk to the Royal Mile so a good location to reach the touristy stuff.

Unique Quality: A good central location is all it really has going for it, and the very helpful Mark who the SYHA should be proud off.

Directions: Just off Cowgate up a little alley, you might have trouble finding the reception.

This brand new hostel just east of the city centre is a beautiful first class hostel. I would recommend this hostel to anyone. Its got the usual self catering kitchen but if you fancy someone else to do the cooking its got a Bistro. Ensuite dorms, comfy beds and eveything relatively new. Its a big 300 bed hostel.

The demand for bed space in Edinburgh in summer means every possible inch of floor space over the city is in use!
Hostels will be totally packed most of the summer, every night, despite there being over 20 "hostels" in Edinburgh.

To get into a hostel, once here, requires early starts and beating the queue. In Festival season (August) it gets mental - so SYHA take over the student accommodation and use this. Its a good solution - almost back to their roots (village halls and schools in thecountryside during summer holidays).

Unique Quality: Single & Double Rooms - so costs more - bringing it into the cheap hotel category, instead of communal / dormitory hostel sleeping.

When viewed like this it becomes a bargain. Contrast prices here with hotels and you'll laugh. compared with hostels its more expensive and less friendly, safer and character less. Where budget hotel folk stay - or those who like to sleep!!!

I have not stayed a night here - due to it being fully booked - so take my advice - book as soon as you can, or earlier!!!!

Directions: Cowgate runs parallel to High Street - its not a nice street, dirty and menacing at night, but the SYHA hostel is at the 'good' end. Its not dangerous or anything - just crude if party time.