Accommodation in Edinburgh

Serenity

I have seen a few threads on this but I am still really stuck.

I am looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh for myself and my younger sister and two or her friends (all 16 years old) during August. It would be for two nights and the first night we wouldn't be arriving until after midnight as we are traveling pretty far. Any ideas? Everywhere I have tried is booked up or to expensive. And I put their ages in as I think some hostels don't allow for under 18s and also I don't think it would be a good idea for them anyway.

o_t_e

I find the summer hostels that are a actually university accommodation are good value for edinburgh and good security ie individual lockable rooms - they tend to have 4-5 rooms per flat so you might get the run of the place.

The scottish YHA run a hall of residence down from the underbelly and the pleasance courtyard:

http://www.syha.org.uk/SYHA/Web/Site/Hostels/EdinburghMetro.asp

It may well be booked up but give them a ring - I've found in the past that the online booking says they are full when they are not.

Personally I will be staying here:

http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/UniXtra-Edinburgh-12753
http://www.unixtra.co.uk/

It's in a quieter area than the SYHA hostel though still within walking distance of festival venues such as the Gilded Balloon, Udderbelly, Pleasance Dome etc. You'd need to contact them about picking up keys after midnight but I'm sure it would be possible.

Serenity

This is from a while ago but I would like to say thanks. We stayed in unixtra about a month ago. We got a whole flat to ourself and obviously a room each. It was really cheap for festival season and was decent accommodation, friendly people in reception and not too far a walk from the city centre (princes street/royal mile).
Highly recommended for next years festival!

o_t_e

Hi Serenity - yes it is a decent base for the festival, especially if you're not having to share the flat with strangers.

I have discovered a downside though, admittedly one that will only apply to people travelling to Edinburgh by car. They advertise '...free on-site parking for up to twenty cars...' and indeed when you get there there are signs saying "Private Parking Guests Only" - only problem is they didn't actually bother to rent the car park from the university, a fact I was introduced to when a 'move your car or be towed' sticker was slapped on my window by the university wardens. Without the benefit of parking the SYHA hostel is just as cheap and a bit more central.

If your group are spending any length of time at the festival next year you can actually hire those same flats in Sciennes by the week direct from edinburgh university at rates cheaper than Unixtra. Alternatively Napier University has flats to let, again by the week at slightly cheaper rates than Edinburgh Uni.