Haystack Hostel

The selling point is the super good location. It can’t be beat, right near the train station. After a long day of travel just to get to Edinburgh, that was a sweet relief

Eh, the hostel scene is not our thing but it was good enough for the price. The floors were a little uneven.

location

Midnight, 1:40am-2:40am, a ciple people were cooking at the kichen room with chatteing, or the sound kichen tools. The reception room at mid ninght around 3 am,some people were chatting at normal voices, which were disturebed and anoyed for sleeping.

Excellent location and friendly staff.

53 steps before you even reach the reception area!!! People should be warned. One shower I had was icy cold. After telling staff that our missing suitcase would be delivered, they rejected it since they couldn't find person's name. Info not shared!

veeeery friendly staff. the rooms were wide enough, i could open my suitcase without interrupting anyone else’s space. the toilets were always clean, so as showers (i just had hard time to understand how it worked lol but they’re good, you can use hot water). kitchen was so practical, there was a fridge, a microwave, clutlery, plates, mugs, coffee, tea, hot water etc. (basically everything you need in a kitchen). it’s on the top floor of a 4 floor building so you have to carry your belongings upstairs by yourself, but the stairs doesn’t feel that much. you can store your belongings in the hostel lobby before/after your stay. location was super good, everything you will need is close by. i loved it, i would definitely choose haystack again

It was very clean. The showers exceeded my expectations.

This is out of the control of the hostel, but it was noisy on the street and we needed to keep open window open to cool the room. Also, the doors were noisy as people would come and go.

The staff were so kind. My first time in Edinburgh, travel weary, bit turned around; but they were always kind, patient and friendly.

The stairs , haha

The location is amazing, by the second day I already knew where to go as it was in the very central part of Edinburgh and close to a lot of the main attractions. The place was very quiet at night too, you do have the occasional street sounds but at night it’s super quiet up on the fourth floor. The lounging area was nice too and leaving your luggage before checking in and even after checking out so you’re not carrying it around the city was super convenient. The staff was super friendly and super nice from reception to even the cleaning staff. The beds were very efficiently thought out with a little privacy curtain and a personal light plus an outlet for charging. It was my first time staying at a hostel and it was a great one but being in an all female room made a big difference too and I got to make new friends as well. Overall I highly recommend this place, but be mindful of the stairs as it is on the fourth floor and hauling around heavy luggage is tough (even though I workout) so beware if you’re not able to.

The bed could’ve been more comfortable but besides that it was amazing!

the location

I rarely leave reviews, but after spending over 150 pounds for a two-night stay over New Year’s Eve, I feel compelled to share my experience. While the staff were cordial and nice, the facilities fell far short of the price point. I work so hard fro my money, other should to.​The most concerning issue was the pest problem. While waiting for my bed, I saw three mice in the lounge. When I reported this, the receptionist was dismissive, claiming "they are everywhere in Edinburgh." On the morning of the 1st, I spotted another mouse in the kitchen on the floor below while I was getting a coffee. I would have requested a refund the day before and moved elsewhere immediately, but because it was New Year's Eve, the city was fully booked. Thankfully, I am not squeamish, but I witnessed another guest freak out and leave the day before because of a mouse. Needless to say, there was no way I was sitting down in the common areas or using the pots and pans.​The room was basic, lacking mirrors or shelves, and the bedding had permanent balck stains and some red small spots ( looked like blood). To the manager or investors : When bedding is rundown you simply buy new one, bloody hell! Additionally, the showers were freezing with very poor water pressure and inconsistent hot water—making it impossible to wash long hair. It took me over 30 minutes to just rinse the shampoo of my hair with coldish water, a torture. All common areas including showers were freezing. To top it off, my toiletries were mistakenly removed from my room by housekeeping, though fortunately recovered by the receptionist later. Apparently the cleaner thought they belong to a lady that have left and removed them? Well, at least I m glad I could brush my teeth at the end that night.The light is going off at midnight and you can't turn it on until I think 7/8 am. So bring a torch!​This hostel is in desperate need of a massive renovation.

Excellent location - round the corner from the station but no noise from the streets.Clean and comfy. Good communal space.

Limited storage - just a metal locker which was noisy to use at night. A LOT of stairs- it does warn of being upstairs but it was very high up and spiralled stairs.

Proximity to Waverley station and the pub next door.

Climbing the stairs

Nice locationNice staff

Terrible showers. Such low water pressure for eco reasons. But it was so low I couldn't properly wash my hair.

location was good..

I didn't like because There were mause and it wasn't clean. There were no curtains either.

There is everything you might need from the hostel - clean toilets and showers, a well-equipped kitchen, central location just off Princess Street. Our private room was nice and clean.

The hostel on the third and fourth floors with no elevator. If you're travelling with heavy luggage, you will get some free fitness. To be fair, there is a warning about that when you're booking the room.

the location was amazing!

-showers didn’t work properly - you either has crazy warm water or freezing cold- beds were super loud, which for shared room is annoying - my friend got bitten by bedbugs

Great hostel, very central, but quiet. Placed in the old historic building. I loved the kitchen facilities and all dorms looked tidy and clean. Perfect location.

It would be good if beds have curtains, so it gives more privacy and you don't disturb people with light on.

the haystack hostel was really clean, organized, and the facility was well-maintained. my favorite part was the common area with the tables, pillows and books - it really made the space feel homely!

perhaps paper towels aren’t used in the country as much but it would be helpful to have some in the kitchen especially. also facial tissues.

Good hostel. Really central located in Edinburgh. Clean toilets and showers.

Pillow not so comfy

Small, cozy, and well-located hostel.

Bed possibly with bedbugs.

Walkable around the city. And just 3min walk from waverly train station

Just the staircase

There were no lights in the room and the place was very dim. There was only one mirror for 12 people.

The beds were also not comfortable, the height was not good. I had a middle bed and I couldnt sit comfortably at all.