Edinburgh, 37-39 Cowgate55.947882,-3.193041(Show on Map)
8.1
Very Good
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Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
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Summary of reviews
*Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+)* in Edinburgh is highly praised for its unrivaled central location, which is perfect for exploring iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and Victoria Street. The hostel’s proximity to bars, restaurants and supermarkets ensures guests can immerse themselves in Edinburgh's lively atmosphere and easily access transport links.
The breakfast offered at the hostel is seen as a good value for money with a decent variety, including cereals, juices, fruits, yogurt, breads, ham, cheese and beverages. Though basic and sometimes lacking in variety, it meets the needs of budget travelers looking for a straightforward meal to start their day.
The dinner service at the hostel receives generally positive remarks with delicious and affordable food, along with a fun bar atmosphere. Guests enjoy the variety of options, though some improvements in menu diversity and service quality have been suggested.
Rooms at Kick Ass Greyfriars are described as spacious, comfortable and clean with modern decor contributing to an enjoyable stay. Private rooms and dormitories are well-equipped with amenities and arranged to provide a degree of privacy. However, there are occasional issues with room temperature, ventilation and noise levels.
Cleanliness is a notable strength with most guests appreciating the well-maintained rooms, bathrooms and common areas. The hostel staff are commended for being friendly, helpful and professional, providing an enhanced overall experience with their attentive service.
Free WiFi at the hostel is generally reliable and satisfies most guests' needs, although there are occasional issues with connectivity during peak hours. The comfort of the beds receives mixed reviews with some guests finding them comfy and others citing discomfort.
Overall, Kick Ass Greyfriars consistently delivers a high-quality experience, meeting the expectations of its four-star rating. The adult-only policy creates a social yet mature environment ideal for solo travelers and young adults. Despite minor areas for improvement, the hostel's central location, clean facilities, friendly staff and reasonable prices make it a top choice for those visiting Edinburgh.
Categories
Adult Only
4 Star
Luxury
Small
Room Types
Double or Twin Room with Shared BathroomThe twin/double room offers tumble dryer, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 2 beds.
Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory RoomRooms are 25 square metres.
Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 25 square metres.
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 30 square metres.
Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 30 square metres.
Bed in 12-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 32 square metres.
Bed in 30-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 50 square metres.
Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory RoomRooms are 25 square metres.
Quadruple Room with Shared BathroomThe quadruple room features heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 4 beds.
6-Bed Private Dormitory RoomThe dormitory room features heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 6 beds.
8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThe dormitory room provides heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 8 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Review Summaries
Location
The *Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+)* hostel in Edinburgh consistently receives high praise for its outstanding location. It's ideally situated in the heart of the historic center with many reviewers highlighting its close proximity to iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, Victoria Street and the Grassmarket area. Visitors find the central location perfect for exploring the old town on foot, making it remarkably easy to access major attractions, bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
Many guests appreciate the convenience of being right in the thick of Edinburgh's lively atmosphere with numerous pubs, nightclubs and cultural sites just steps away. The hostel's location also garners positive remarks for being well-connected to transport links, making it easy to embark on city tours and other activities.
Overall, the unbeatable central location of *Kick Ass Greyfriars* is a standout feature, consistently described as perfect, fantastic and super central by guests, adding great value to their stay in Edinburgh.
Breakfast
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) offers a breakfast that many guests found to be good value for money and convenient. Despite its simplicity, the breakfast includes a variety of options such as cereals, juices, fruit, yogurt, breads, butter, jam, ham, cheese, milk, coffee and tea. Many appreciated the affordability with breakfast costing around £4.50 and described it as sufficient for a hostel setting. Some guests enjoyed the breakfast and felt it provided a pleasant start to the day, noting the delicious croissants and overall tasty offerings.
However, there were mixed feelings about the variety and quality. Some reviews highlighted that the breakfast was very basic, lacking in variety and not always matching the photos or descriptions provided online. Specific criticisms included limited options, poor coffee quality and occasional cold cuts and pastries. A few guests expressed disappointment, mentioning that certain items ran out and were not replenished.
Despite the criticisms, the breakfast was generally seen as acceptable for the price with some guests noting it was decent, simple and cheap, fitting the hostel vibe. Overall, the breakfast at Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) seems to cater adequately to budget travelers looking for a straightforward, no-frills meal to start their day.
Dinner
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) offers a mixed experience when it comes to dining, but the general sentiment leans towards the positive. The evening menu is often praised for its delicious food with many highlighting the quality and affordability of both drinks and meals compared to regular pubs and restaurants. The bar area is a focal point, described as fun and featuring a good vibe, complete with a nice beer garden and even a beer garden with views of the castle.
Guests appreciate the variety of food options available, including fast food and light snacks with some noting a particularly good fish and chips. The hostel also hosts events like karaoke on Sundays, enhancing the lively atmosphere.
However, there are some criticisms, particularly regarding the dryness of the burgers and certain aspects of the service. Some found the bar's food to be below expectations, especially when it comes to the availability of diverse dinner options. There were mentions of the kitchen closing early and occasional issues with customer service, such as mishandling discounts.
Overall, while there is room for improvement, especially in expanding the menu and refining service, the combination of a good atmosphere, affordable prices and the convenience of having a bar and restaurant on-site makes dining at Kick Ass Greyfriars a generally pleasant experience.
Rooms
Kick Ass Greyfriars offers a range of room types that generally cater well to budget travelers. Many reviewers commend the rooms for their spaciousness and cleanliness. Private rooms, whether double or triple, are appreciated for being roomy, comfortable and well-equipped with amenities like hairdryers, USB outlets and plenty of storage space. The hostel seems to ensure that even in larger dormitories, the beds are arranged to provide a degree of privacy and comfort with each bed having individual chargers and lights. The atmosphere and modern decor of the rooms add to a pleasant stay.
However, there are mixed reviews regarding room temperature, ventilation and noise levels. Some guests found the rooms too hot or too cold and noted that windows might not function properly. Noise, either from outside streets or other guests, was a common concern, though some rooms were praised for being unexpectedly quiet for a hostel environment.
Cleanliness is often highlighted with many guests finding their rooms and shared facilities well-maintained. However, a few reviews mention issues with unclean sheets and unpleasant smells. The hostel also offers functional and practical layouts that meet the needs of travelers, offering good value for money, although some spaces are described as a bit dated or in need of a refresh.
Overall, Kick Ass Greyfriars is recognized for its central location, spacious and comfortable rooms and clean facilities, making it a solid choice for young travelers seeking a budget-friendly stay in Edinburgh.
Beds
The beds at Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) have received mixed reviews from guests. On a positive note, many travelers found the beds to be comfortable with multiple mentions of comfy mattresses and clean bedding. Some appreciated the spacious rooms and additional features like individual sockets, small nightstands and lockers. The general consensus indicates the beds are often comfortable and the rooms sufficiently clean.
However, several guests felt the beds were uncomfortable, citing issues such as thin mattresses, feeling metal bars through the mattress and beds being too short or narrow. There were also remarks about privacy concerns with some noting the lack of bed curtains. A few mentioned cleanliness issues, including dirty sheets and unexplained stains.
Despite these inconsistencies, it appears the hostel provides a generally adequate sleeping arrangement with some areas for potential improvement.
Cleanliness
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) consistently receives positive reviews for its cleanliness. Guests frequently describe the rooms, bathrooms and common areas as clean and well-maintained with several mentioning that the hostel is cleaned regularly and efficiently. Bathrooms, though sometimes small, are noted for being particularly tidy and the overall hygiene of the hostel is often applauded.
However, there were some mixed reviews mentioning occasional cleanliness issues, particularly in shared areas and some of the showers. Some guests noted the need for more frequent cleaning or improvements in maintaining the cleanliness throughout the day, especially in high-traffic areas. Despite these occasional lapses, most visitors found the facilities to be modern, comfortable and generally clean.
The hostel staff also received praise for their friendliness and dedication to maintaining a clean environment. The property's central location and welcoming atmosphere add to its appeal, making it a well-regarded choice among travelers seeking a clean and comfortable stay.
Staff
The staff at Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) consistently received high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Described as lovely, welcoming and very attentive, the personnel were noted for going above and beyond to ensure guest satisfaction. Reviews emphasized the efficient and engaging nature of the staff with many highlighting their polite and courteous demeanor. The team was attentive and always ready to assist, whether it was providing information about local attractions, helping with luggage or accommodating special requests. The reception and bar staff were frequently commended for their friendliness and humor, contributing to a warm and sociable atmosphere within the hostel. Despite a few mentions of unfriendly interactions, the overwhelming sentiment was that the staff were amazing, offering excellent service and enhancing the overall experience at the hostel. The management’s approachability and the staff’s knowledgeable advice further highlighted their commitment to exemplary customer service.
Wi-Fi
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) offers free WiFi that generally meets the needs of its guests with many noting that the connection is very good, reliable and available throughout the property, including in private rooms. The WiFi boasts decent speeds, allowing for activities like streaming without issues. However, some guests have experienced inconsistent connectivity, particularly during peak hours and in some cases reported poor or non-existent WiFi in the rooms. While the internet quality can vary, it appears to be mostly satisfactory for general use.
Despite the mixed reviews on WiFi, the hostel excels in other areas. The facilities are deemed excellent with cleanliness being described as faultless. Guests also appreciate functional amenities like USB ports at each bed for convenient charging. The lack of a communal kitchen is a recurring downside, noted by several reviewers, alongside comments on showers and other facilities. Nonetheless, the hostel's bar, courtyard and lounge areas offer additional social spaces for guests to enjoy.
4 Star
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) consistently meets the high standards of a four-star rating, evidenced by its commendable quality and modern amenities. The hostel is praised for its fantastic, central location in the heart of Edinburgh, coupled with friendly and helpful staff who ensure a welcoming atmosphere. Guests frequently note the spacious and comfortable rooms and beds, contributing to a restful stay.
The hostel's cleanliness, both in the rooms and common areas, is another highlighted feature. With facilities that could rival budget hotels, Kick Ass Greyfriars offers an impressive experience, blending the feel of a hotel with the communal aspects of a hostel. The addition of modern décor and high-quality accommodations enhances the overall experience.
Guests appreciate the good value for money, especially given the central location and well-maintained amenities. The hostel also receives positive remarks for its helpful information boards, the availability of fresh bedding and clean towels and even its bar and outdoor areas.
Overall, Kick Ass Greyfriars stands out as a top choice for travelers seeking a comfortable and convenient stay in Edinburgh, promising a four-star experience at a reasonable price.
Adult Only
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) stands out as a unique accommodation strictly tailored for adult travelers. Advertised correctly as an adult-only property, it appeals particularly to solo travelers and young adults seeking a social yet mature atmosphere. The communal spaces are frequently praised for being great spots to socialize with interesting people, making it an ideal setting for meeting new friends and enjoying communal experiences.
The property offers good accommodations with quiet rooms that allow for restful nights, although some guests noted that noise levels from late-night activity could disrupt sleep. The presence of a well-maintained bar downstairs adds to the appeal, serving as a perfect place for solo travelers to relax and mingle.
Located centrally, this establishment combines the familiarity of a youth hostel with the comfort levels approaching that of a hotel. The surroundings ensure convenience, although some basic amenities like towels require an extra fee and bathroom facilities on certain floors are limited.
While it is highly recommended for young adults and solo travelers, older guests might not find it as suitable. Overall, Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) delivers a clean and welcoming environment for those looking to enjoy an active and social stay without the presence of younger children.
FAQ
No, Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+).
No, Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+).
