Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel (SYHA)

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel is run by the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (Hostelling Scotland) and stands at 9 Haddington Place, at the top of Leith Walk in Edinburgh's east end. The location is about fifteen minutes on foot from Princes Street and Waverley station, and buses on Leith Walk link the hostel with the Old Town, the Royal Mile and the Port of Leith. Calton Hill, the Playhouse Theatre and the St James Quarter are close by, and the neighbourhood of Leith Walk has a wide range of independent cafes, restaurants and shops at lower prices than the tourist core. The building is a large, traditional stone property, and the hostel offers a clean, well-organised environment that suits solo travellers, groups, families and school parties. Accommodation consists of dormitories and private rooms, with lockers for valuables, and some rooms have en-suite bathrooms. A self-catering kitchen is available, and breakfast can be purchased on site, which is a convenience for early departures. Free Wi-Fi covers the property. There is no spa, pool or gym, and the emphasis is on affordable, reliable accommodation backed by the SYHA's membership network. Staff are helpful and can advise on day trips, hiking routes and public transport. Rates run from about £22 to £75 per night, rising in August and at Hogmanay. The hostel is quieter than those on the Royal Mile, which suits visitors who want a calmer night's sleep and a local neighbourhood feel. The trade-off is a ten to fifteen-minute walk or short bus ride to the Old Town sights.