In December 2022, I visited Edinburgh for a quick trip during a Christmas Market research tour. I was only in Edinburgh for two days and chose to stay in the Castle Rock Hostel because it had high reviews on Hostel World and also it was close to everything I wanted to see.
Castle Rock hostel did not disappoint in any estimation.
Ideal Location
Castle Rock Hostel is located just as you might guess, just steps away from the castle rock. In fact, check out this view from the main door of the hostel. Can’t get much closer to the castle than this, folks.
It was also just steps away from the Royal Mile, which if you know anything about Edinburgh, this is where you want to spend most of your time if it’s your first visit to the city.
From the hostel door, you can hear the bagpiper street musicians who play on Royal Mile, which adds some serious ambiance to the location.
Cool Factor
The Castle Rock Hostel has the cool factor nailed down. It has a great lounge area with leather couches, a coffee and tea station and huge table for dining or working. In the morning, an inexpensive breakfast is served in this part of the hostel. Just outside the lounge is a full-size kitchen. I did not use the kitchen while here, but it looked super nice, clean, and had all of the amenities that you’d need if you wanted to cook up a meal for yourself.
Safety is Key
In order to get past the front reception desk at this hostel, you must show your hostel card which they give you upon checkin. I really liked this added feature because it meant that random people couldn’t just walk past reception and into the main part of the hostel. In addition, each room is locked and only the people who are staying in that room have a key. Every person in the room has their own locker as well, note: you must bring your own lock. If you need to leave your bag before check-in or after check-out they have a storage room with a 24-hour security lock on it that can only be opened up from the reception desk.
Cleanliness is Top Notch
The rooms were super clean and so were the bathrooms. I also appreciated the fact that the bathrooms (toilets and showers) were in one location on each floor rather than en-suite. I’m not a huge fan of en-suite bathrooms because I feel like it’s too disturbing to have people going in and out all night. The bathrooms and showers were unisex, but before you get freaked out, let me explain exactly what that meant at this hostel. Essentially, you get your own toilet stall and your own shower stall, so who honestly cares who is using the facilities in the stall next to you? You have 100 percent privacy and so the rest doesn’t matter!
Friendly & Helpful Reception
The people at the front desk were super friendly. I ended up needing a boarding pass printed (Yay, RyanAir) and it was as simple as sending it to their email and they printed it out for me immediately. I also had some issues with a flight cancellation and ended up needing to return to the hostel. They had room availability and so, even though I only had a few hours to stay there since I had an early morning flight, it was so lovely to be able to have a place to shower and relax in a cozy lounge with friendly people. I love it that the reception desk is open 24 hours and there’s people up in the lounge all night long. It just feels like comforting and safe.
Charging facilities
A big concern with hostel guests is—will I have a place to charge my device? The answer at this hostel is a yes. Every bed has its own charging station. There’s a regular outlet so you can charge your laptop or any of your other devices right there.
Five Stars
Overall, I give this hostel a five out of five stars. I really enjoyed my stay here and would definitely stay here again on a future trip to Edinburgh.
FAQ: Castle Rock Hostel Edinburgh Review
Q1: How was the location of Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh?
The hostel's location is outstanding, situated just steps away from the castle rock and the Royal Mile. This central location offers easy access to Edinburgh's main attractions and provides a unique ambiance with the sounds of bagpipers playing on the nearby Royal Mile.
Q2: What features contribute to the "cool factor" of Castle Rock Hostel?The hostel has a stylish lounge area with leather couches, a coffee and tea station, and a spacious table for dining or working. Additionally, there is a full-size kitchen available for guest use. An affordable breakfast is served in the lounge each morning.
Q3: How does Castle Rock Hostel prioritize safety for its guests?The hostel has a security-focused approach. Guests must show their hostel card to pass the front reception desk, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the main part of the hostel. Each room is locked, and guests are provided with individual keys. Personal lockers are available in each room, and the hostel offers secure luggage storage.
Q4: How does the cleanliness of Castle Rock Hostel stand out?Both the rooms and bathrooms are well-maintained and clean. The hostel's bathrooms and showers are located in a shared, unisex area on each floor, ensuring privacy and comfort for guests.
Q5: How helpful is the reception at Castle Rock Hostel?The reception staff is friendly and accommodating. They offer assistance with services like printing boarding passes and provide a welcoming atmosphere. The 24-hour reception ensures guests have support throughout their stay.
Q6: Are charging facilities available for electronic devices?Yes, every bed in the hostel has its own charging station with a regular outlet. This ensures guests have convenient access to charging their devices.
