I had opted for a bed in a shared dormitory; due to my late check-in time, I had to take an upper bunk bed. The only uncomfortable part of this was the steps that led to the bed. The climb would hurt the foot a lot.

I had specifically asked for a late check-in, as I was reaching Edinburgh quite late at night. The haystack team was really considerate and did provide me with check-in assistance even at 12am at night. The beds were very comfortable, and both toilets and showers were clean. The common kitchen was well equipped too. The location of this hostel is the best for someone who likes to stay in the heart of the city and doesn't want to spend a lot of time commuting to major attractions.

Stayed in August 2025

I did not like the walls of the staircase - look a bit strange and frightening.

The location is perfect.

Stayed in August 2025

Too crowded in 12 person and 8 person room, too crowded and noisy. There is no elevator and it is on the 4th floor. Not enough sinks for some reason. No where to use a hair dryer in bathrooms, no outlets.

Location was perfect, right in the popular area of the city across from train and around the corner from bus station. Super clean, super nice personnel, fantastic kitchen, hot water dispenser. Nice guests. Music playing, fun atmosphere.

Stayed in July 2025

The only thing I can think of were the bunk beds being a bit flimsy, so when a roommate was moving around, it shook the whole bed a bit.

Such friendly and welcoming staff, special thanks to Kristy! Environmentally aware hostel, all guests were respectful towards each other. I think the hostel has a great deal to do with creating a warm, friendly atmosphere, so Haystack really excelled in this. They were also very considerate of the busy festival weekend making everything super expensive, so they gave out breaky vouchers for free (would be around 5 pounds at other times).

Stayed in August 2025

It was excellent location close to everything, meaning you can hear some noise but nothing unexpected for a city centre. The facilities were cleaned daily and the room was comfortable the lockers were good condition and large size. You are provided with the wifi and tour on arrival very pleasant and friendly staff.

Stayed in July 2025

Bunk beds were particularly squeaky

Loved that it had a kitchen and provided tea and coffee! Staff were all very friendly and approachable!

Stayed in August 2025

My reservation got messed up and because of that, I had to keep moving rooms to stay there. They first tried to put me in a 12 person room with 3 beds stacked on top of each other. I am claustrophobic and feel that If you want a living preview of sleeping in a coffin, that’s a close example. Then I was put in a 6 person room, which was perfect, only to be moved to an 8 person room which was too crowded and noisy for me. The description didn’t explain the bed conditions well enough. I never would have booked in a place with 3 beds stacked on top of each other or 8 people in a small room. There is no elevator, and it is 4 long stories up steep steps—It’s difficult going up and down stairs with luggage. Not enough sinks to brush teeth. Some toilets didn’t have sinks.

Perfect for solo travel. Staff is so nice, hostel is so clean. Nice comforter and pillow and bed was comfortable. Good price, 6 person rooms are ideal. Perfect central location, can walk to everything. Staff helped change rooms around for me to accommodate me and make things more comfortable. Kitchen and facilities are fantastic. Nice dining area, fun vibe with speakers with music. Other guests were interesting and nice.

Stayed in July 2025

Excellent convenient location and easy to find. Clean, comfortable, and as depicted.

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing in particular. It's a hostel ...

Excellent location, female dorms, nice atmosphere, cleanliness, tranquility

Stayed in July 2025

It would be nice to have curtains in the bed, but as the people in my room were always very respectful, I didn't miss them much.

Really nice location in Edinburgh, close to Princes Street. You can walk to several landmarks from there, but public ransport is also at a stone's throw. Beds were OK, bathrooms were clean. There are lockers, which is good and the kitchen was spotless.

Stayed in May 2025

Too many stairs four floors but they do tell you this clearly

In heart of downtown

Stayed in July 2025

Only thing I didn't like was that the bed creaked whenever the other person moved in the bunk, because it was a bit old and made of wood.

Clean rooms and the showers and bathrooms were cleaned everyday. The staff was friendly and the location is very good as It is at the center of the city. Good system with big enough lockers for my suitcase and backpack and hangers with the number of the bed.

Stayed in July 2025

Quite pricey for what you get I’ve stayed in Edinburgh at different times in a 4 star hotel for the same price for a night, but I suppose Edinburgh can be like that!

Clean, super lovely staff and in an ideal spot to the station!

Stayed in June 2025

The entrance and reception is on the forth floor, so it might be difficult to climb up with a lot of luggage.

The common spaces are nice and clean. The rooms are clean and comfortable as well. There is a fairly big kitchen and areas to eat. There are several products (kitchen/bathroom etc) available to use.

Stayed in June 2025

It would be great if there will be some shelves near the electric sockets available from the upper bed. When sending the internet password it would be helpful if also the door code would be added. I don’t like loud roommates in the room, but that’s probably not a hostel thing 🙂

The personnel were really friendly. The location is excellent. The hostel’s warnings that you have to walk to 4th floor are repeated a few times, which is a real plus for those who don’t want to walk to higher floors. The cleanliness is maintained in an exemplary manner. A delicious breakfast is really around the corner.

Stayed in June 2025

The highlight of my stay was the customer service and care of the staff. They were truly awesome! The location was great, right in the center of everything and easily accessible from the airport via tram or bus. The amenities were good and it was very calm.

Stayed in May 2025

Locket could have been better - door had to be carefully managed to open/shut

Excellent location and clean room

Stayed in May 2025

Nothing so far.

Kitchen you can cook. And clean . So far good . Only need ,advised If they put extra separately kitchen towel for dry dishes and separate for hand dry.

Stayed in May 2025

None

Was friendly staff ,clean and tidy property .Kitchen was fully furnished.

Stayed in May 2025

I found it a little difficult to find the place because I was looking for the name at the top where it usually is, but in this case the name is at the bottom and I was just looking at the top hahaha.

The staff were very friendly ☺️

Stayed in May 2025

Showers werent hot, just enough to be comfortable and didnt have product rack. Could have done with towels or tissues available.

Clean and bedsheets fresh. Overall comfortable.

Stayed in May 2025

The only downside was that the hostel is on the third floor and I had to carry heavy luggage up three flights of stairs. This wasn't a major inconvenience, I just had to pause for breath!

The location was perfect, the staff were very welcoming and friendly, and the hostel was kept very clean. The room was also warm and quiet and I slept well.

Stayed in May 2025

Would've liked having a locker to put my backpack/all of my belongings rather than just valuables.

Location was perfect! Showers/toilets and rooms were clean and felt safe. Staff was very friendly.

Stayed in May 2025

The water pressure in the shower and the shower mechanism. The bunk beds were super noisy. It was extremely loud outside but sleeping with closed windows was impossible so earplugs were a must. It would be great if the bunk beds get a curtain for privacy.

The people working at the hostel were super friendly and helpful. The location is perfect.

Stayed in May 2025