Royal Mile Backpackers was better than I had expected, especially given its location on the busiest tourist street in Edinburgh. I thought it would be insanely noisy, but in fact we had the window open in the dorm room every night, and while there was street noise, it wasn’t anywhere near enough to keep anyone awake. The pubs and attractions are all within a 5-minute walk, and the hostel itself organises so many activities and events that it is impossible to be bored or not make at least a half dozen new friends during your stay. The staff is AMAZING, friendly, helpful, and so welcoming and everyone makes you feel at home during your stay. I loved staying here and I look forward to staying again in a couple of months on my return to Europe. WELL DONE!

Nothing could be better. It was a perfect stay.

Everything was great and felt comfortable, cozy and safety like home! I thought it would be a big hostel but it was tiny, which was great for me. Very close to the train station and to all the landmarks I needed. Supermarkets are also close to the hostel as well as pubs. If you arrive early or check-out lately you can keep your luggage at the nearby hostel - I found it absolutely fine.

The only negative aspect was stairs to the hostel - I couldn`t lift my heavy luggage by myself but staff helped me with that. Thank you!

The location is great: walking distance from Royal Mile, but also not right in the midst of the super-touristy part of the strip. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and there are great tips of access to different spots throughout the hostel. The bedding was also very comfy for a hostel! Also, extremely LGBTQ+ inclusive!

This is not on Royal Mile, just that it is a hostel, so you may get some guests who are a bit nosier/inconsiderate in making a lot of noise in the earlier AM, but the staff does a great job of putting up reminders to be quiet!

The location was great, rooms were fun and the hostel had overall good vibes. When we arrived the lady on the desk was super friendly, accomodating and helpful which made us feel right at home. Had a very homely feel to it. Kitchen was great area and free towels ect was a great way to enjoy the stay.

The 2 ladies on the desk were lovely and so professional whenever we had interactions with them, However unfortunately we didn’t have the same experience with the other staff, they treated the hostel like it was their personal playground and made us feel uncomfortable a handful of times, cleaners coming in and blasting music when we were clearly sleeping & complaining about having to work their shifts in front of us.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Royal Mile Backpackers Hostel during my visit to Edinburgh, and I must say it was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped inside the hostel, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere that made me feel right at home. First and foremost, the location of the hostel is outstanding. Situated right on the iconic Royal Mile, I was within walking distance of all the major attractions and landmarks. Whether it was exploring Edinburgh Castle, wandering through the charming streets of the Old Town, or visiting the vibrant bars and restaurants nearby, everything was conveniently accessible. The staff at the hostel deserves special mention. They were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and always ready to offer recommendations on places to visit and things to do in Edinburgh. Their passion for the city was infectious, and they went above and beyond to ensure every guest had an unforgettable experience. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, providing a cozy retreat after a long day of exploring the city. The common areas were spacious and inviting, perfect for socializing and meeting fellow travellers from all over the world. The hostel also offered a fully equipped kitchen, allowing guests to prepare their meals and save some money. One aspect that truly stood out to me was the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere of the hostel. The communal areas were always buzzing with conversation, laughter, and shared experiences. It was incredibly easy to strike up conversations with fellow travellers, making for memorable connections and friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

The friendly and welcoming service at the reception. The spacious and homely atmosphere of the reception area. The very comfortably bed and the soft bed linen. The individual lamp for reading. The cleanliness of the bathroom and showers. The spacious kitchen with a dining table and the equipment of the kitchen. The free offerings of tea and coffee. In the middle of the night I could make myself a breakfast before leaving for the airport. The start of the airport bus 100 is close by and in walking distance.

The stairs to the reception area and the bedrooms might be a challenge if you have heavy luggage.

I had a great time staying at Royal Mile Backpackers in Edinburgh. The location is unbeatable – right in the heart of the historic city center, close to everything. I was able to explore all the main attractions on foot, which made my trip even better. The staff were truly outstanding – super friendly, welcoming, and always ready to help. Everything I needed during my stay was provided at no extra cost, including towels, a hairdryer, and even earplugs, which was a nice touch. I stayed in the Gotham City room, which was spacious, bright, and well-ventilated. Each bed had its own power outlet, USB port, and individual light, which made things really convenient. Highly recommend this hostel to anyone visiting Edinburgh!

It has a welcoming cozy atmosphere. The facilities were generous. Especially, the kitchen! The staff was helpful and friendly and I like how they arrange luggage storage to make it convenient to explore the city as we arrived a bit early to the hostel. The key arrangement was convenient too as each of us got our own set of keys PLUS locker keys, which I haven’t seen before at other hostels I’ve been to so far.

The carpet flooring and the room could get very stuffy. The plug-in socket didn’t always work reliably and the lockers were a bit narrow but it’s still a great that they provide

Very homey feel. Lovely staff and people there. Lots of activities in the evening, so if you’re a solo traveller it’s easy to make friends. Also super easy to get places as it’s very central, lovely views of Old town.

I was in Gotham city room, as the penguin. It’s in the corner and I consistently had people staying for the night who would leave all their things in front of my bed due to the location of the beds and their lockers. This resulted in me falling at one point. I think that if they moved the lockers to the other side (like next to the lockers near the doorway), people may be less likely to leave their stuff in the way. This isn’t on the hostel at all, just people having bad etiquette in the dorms. But I do think the lockers between the penguin bed and the ones to the right of it are badly placed

This is one of the best hostels I've stayed in. The rooms were spacious with comfortable beds and strong heaters. The kitchen and bathrooms were cleaned several times a day and were always spotless. Staff were very knowledgable and happy to help with any requests. There was an event on every night which was a nice addition. The location was excellent and close to everything. Great value for money and I will definitely return here if I am ever in Edinburgh again.

I only have one critique about this hostel - the heaters turn off during the day and are timed to come on in the evening, meaning the hostel is very cold during the day. I noticed a few other guests also asking the staff about this, but there was nothing they could do. I understand wanting to keep electricity bills low but when it's 0 degrees in the Scottish winter I think that we could probably make an exception and keep the heaters on...