About

IMPORTANT: NO GUESTS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD. Proof of age is required at check-in. A valid credit or debit card is required at check-in, to be checked against guest ID (card must be physically present, we cannot take details over the phone, email or fax.)

BEER GARDEN WITH CASTLE VIEW. Enjoy the best view of Edinburgh Castle in town!

LOCATION. Our beautiful historic building is located at the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town at the corner of the Grassmarket square. Within walking distance to all attractions and with the vibrant Edinburgh nightlife at your doorstep.

FUN EVENTS like pub crawl and pub quiz!

SECURITY. 24h Reception. No curfew. Secure electronic swipe cards for all rooms. CCTV throughout and security wristbands issued to all our guests. Secure lockers provided for every bed.

MODERN ROOMS. All rooms have Wi-Fi access, USB charging points at each bed and private bed lights. Bunks have been designed to give max headroom and mattresses are hotel superior quality. Fresh clean bed linen provided free of charge.

LUGGAGE STORAGE: £3 before check-in and after check-out.

AWESOME FRIENDLY CREW. Our Kick Ass Crew will give you the insider's scoop on the best spots in the city. With a solid mix of locals and internationals, we are focused on making your trip to Edinburgh an experience you'll never forget!

MODERN FACILITIES. Laundry room, toilets and showers.

KICK ASS BAR. Featuring our famous VW Van and awesome pool table. Open for breakfast, dinner and evening drinks, awesome bar events and entertainment. Great place to meet new friends and fellow travellers.

Please note: Unless you booked a private room, we cannot guarantee that guests who book multiple beds will stay in the same room, even if the same room type is booked. To ensure you stay together, we recommend you book private accommodation.

House Rules

Check In

14:00 - 23:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Taxes Included
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Facilities

  • Free City Maps
  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Adaptors
  • Luggage Storage
  • Fax Service
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Tours/Travel Desk
View all facilities

Reviews

8.5Fabulous(8940)
  • Value for Money
    8.3
  • Security
    9.1
  • Atmosphere
    8.3
  • Cleanliness
    7.8
  • Staff
    8.8
  • Location
    9.3
  • Facilities
    7.6
Summary of traveller reviews

Kick Ass Greyfriars in Edinburgh boasts an unbeatable central location, perfect for exploring the city. Guests frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff, and the lively atmosphere, especially the popular pub crawls. While rooms are generally clean and comfortable, some recent reviews mention a lack of privacy due to no bed curtains and occasional issues with bathroom cleanliness and small shower spaces.

Was this helpful?
Stayed in Jul 2026
2.0
E
Emily
Female, 25-30, Canada
The staff were quite unfriendly during check-in, which made for a poor first impression. My room key didn’t work, and a maintenance staff member had to assist me in getting a functioning key. Unfortunately, the room and bathroom were also unhygienic, with a noticeable smell of body odour and dirt. As a solo female traveller, I did not feel safe or comfortable staying there, and ultimately decided to book anothe
Stayed in Jul 2026
4.9
E
Emily
Female, 25-30, USA
The bathrooms were constantly flooded and never properly cleaned. The rooms smelled the whole week I was there and other guests were inconsiderate, talking on the phone and turning lights on in the middle of the night. I even walked into the shared restroom to see a guy peeing on the floor with the stall open.
Stayed in Jul 2026
8.3
G
Gabrielle
Female, 25-30, USA
This hostel is in a great location, but they need to invest in curtains for the beds. Also, the bathroom floors were near always soaking wet, multiple toilets dirty or clogged and not being cleaned or serviced frequently enough. Additionally, there is no Aircon, no fans, and there is one window in the 4 bed apartment room that only opens 5 inches which left the room very stuffy. The staff I interacted with were all kind and helpful, and I would consider staying here again if I were in the area.
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Location

37-39 Cowgate, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
0.5km from city centre
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Hostelworld says

Kick Ass Greyfryers is in the lively Grassmarket area, surrounded by bars and cafes and within walking distance to sites around central Edinburgh. The hostel features quiet, clean and comfortable rooms and highly praised pub crawls and walking tours. Guests have told us there's "lots of common areas to meet people if you're travelling on your own" and that they "recommend it for people who are looking to party and meet people". We've noticed that several of their guests have returned to stay there again and again.