Location: 2/5
The hostel is centrally located, but its also located well with earshot of a nighclub. So don't expect to fall asleep before midnight or without earlplugs! The hostel might be suitable for some who plan to be out and about every night until the wee hours, but the resy of us will not enjoy the proximity to city center sufficiently to compensate for the noise.
Convenience: 2/5
Again, I have to give a few points for its location near shops, bars, clubs and restaurants. But it loses most of these points because access involves climbing three flights of winding stairs. This was a real trick for me with my heavy suitcase! It would be completely impossible for a small girl with a big suitcase to get up the stairs safely. Those who travel very light will be less bothered. But when you get to the top, check in, and then it's two more flights of stairs down to the lower rooms! I just left my suitcase at reception to avoid these later stairs.
Helpfulness: 1/5
None of the staff seemed to know anything about Edinburgh. Almost all staff are young people from New Zealand and Australia who are working the desk in exchange for free rent.
Kitchen and Dining: 3/5
Here the hostel gets an average mark. It gets plusses because the kitchen is equipped with helpful things like convection ovens, a microwave, cellophane wrap, foil and plenty of cook- and bake-ware. Its a good spot for those who like to save money by cooking for themselves. But the kitchen is also equipped with filthy dish towels. Sanitation is questionable.
The dining room is small and sparse, with three or four wood tables and an assortment of chairs.
Accomidations: 1/5
The beds are awful. The thin matresses are slung on metal webbing. My back aches just thinking about them. No top sheet is provided. The pillows made me sneeze. One of the two showers - for the entire floor of rooms - was broken. There were holes in the walls in the bathroom. Any upholstered furniture was told and gross.
I've had better accomidations in a $0.50/night hostel in the Czech Republic.
Value: 2/5
At £11/night, Princes Street Backpackers is not cheap. Other hostels nearby cost the same. I think Princes' has got better rates for long stays - maybe £60/week? - so those who are committed to holing up here a while might give it a better mark. While not a total rip-off, you can find much more for your money.
Conclusion: Avoid This Hostel
This hostel has lots of negatives and no redeeming qualities I can think of. Everything they do well some other hostels match, and their poor qualities make staying here really uncomfortable.
For a positive suggestion, check out my forthcoming post recommending Castle Rock Hostel.
SO
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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