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Cowgate Tourist Hostel

96 - 112 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JN, Scotland
Hotel amenities
2.5 of 5 stars 80 Reviews
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80 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Natalieison
London, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 February 2012

When we arrived our booking wasn't recorded apparently due to a bad computer booking system. The guy on reception was apologetic and clearly under pressure working in such a poor and neglected hostel. The room cleanliness was questionable, the electrical sockets didn't work and the heater appliance sparked when we switched it on. The hot water didn't run from the... More

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Johnsin
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 January 2012

Our apartment was very clean but basic. Bunk beds, wooden floors and kitchen with cooking facilities but no frills. Mattresses were brand new and comfortable. Bed linen was clean but towels which we hired for £1 were a bit worn. Bathroom had just been painted so no complaints. Walking distance to castle and greyfriars bobby. Our group had a lot... More

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English-Academic-Sch
Yeovil, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 October 2011

I booked in 24 of us to this place..the web site looks good..but thats where it ended..it was horrid. Broken toilet seats, door locks, windows..no hot water in our apartment..everything about this place was bad...kettle that leaked water as it was boiling, so when it boiled..there was no hot water left in it and the smell ! we asked for... More

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Niina1983
London, United Kingdom
2 reviews
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 September 2011

The hostel was ok and the staff was very helpful (the door to the first room we got was a bit broken so they moved us without question to another room). The room was nice and clean and so were the kitchen and toilets, nothing fancy but it is a hostel after all! If you are, however, in need of... More

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fairy_ange
1 review
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 August 2011

I stayed at the hostel during the Edinburgh fringe so as you can guess was manic. The hostel was clean but very basic a bunk bed and a wardrobe. We payed a little bit extra so we didn't have to share our room it's defo worth doing. The location is excellent. More

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Limelighter
Oxford, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews
3 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

I stayed here for 2 nights during the Festival, and wasn't expecting much - it was the cheapest option and, as I was travelling solo, I was prepared to rough it for a couple of nights. What I was not expecting was arrive at reception, only to be told angrily to 'go away' until 2pm. the time was 5 to... More

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c00ky83
Leeds
Reviewer
3 reviews
4 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 August 2011

The highest praise I can give this hostel is that it was "adequate". Adequate for 13 lads on a stag do who just needed somewhere to get a few hours' sleep in between drinking sessions. For what we paid we can have no complaints, but if I went again I would look for an alternative hostel. The location, while being... More

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SmallfryEngland
England
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews
9 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 July 2011

The staff member on duty was friendly but the standards of the accommodation was very run down. The stairs up to the room smelt of urine and were very dingy and shabby. The bed had clean sheets and was comfortable but very squeeky. Our room overlooked a pub which had music pumping until 1am, luckily we stayed out until then... More

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switcher33
Dublin, Ireland
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 November 2010

Stayed in the Cowgate for two nights in a double room last weekedn with my girlfriend. Expensive for a hostel 25 pound each per night, when arrived the bed sheets were covered in white stuff similar to bird poo, the bed was not even made properly. was given bed sheets which i had to put on myself. to much noise... More

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sarah2457
durham
Reviewer
4 reviews
2 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 October 2010

When I entered the Cowgate I was immediately distressed to learn that I had spent £150 (2 nights) on a revolting, unsafe hostel. Walking up the vile smelling stairs I saw electrical wires hanging out of power points and a hole punched through the wall to the shower room. The bedroom was furnished with a basic bunk bed. The mattress... More

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