Budget Backpackers

Budget Backpackers' offbeat vibe is immediately announced by its ubiquitous motif: A donkey wearing sunglasses, which graces the bright green front door of its gray Victorian building. But there's more: A lobby blitzed with modish posters advertising the local scene and activities, vending machines, wavy wooden tables with computers for use, brightly colored walls dotted with funky art, an indoor bike room, and a "chill" room with a large flat-screen TV all contribute to the atmosphere. The vibe is friendly, cool, and decidedly young. The Kick Ass Cafe and bar has movie and quiz nights, and it's often crowded with the bustle of commingling backpackers. As with any hostel, guests risk sharing dorm rooms with people they'd rather not be around, waiting in line for bathrooms or showers or laundry facilities, and having sleep interrupted by loud talkers or drunks. That said, the property is very popular with travelers from around the world, thanks largely to the one-of-a-kind aesthetic created by the owner -- whose decorative touches include lamps made from old tomato cans. 

The central Old Town location is perfect for guests of any age looking to experience many of the city's best-known sights. It's a quick, 10-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle, which can be seen from some dorm rooms. Within a few minutes' walk is the historic Grassmarket (where public executions used to take place) surrounded by clubs, pubs, shops, and sidewalk cafes. Also within a 10 minutes' walk are the Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland, Candlemaker Row, Victoria Street, and the old George IV Bridge. A large park, The Meadows, is about 15 minutes' walk. 

The hostel's most private room, a two-bed Twin, has one set of bunk-beds, an in-room blue-tiled sink, two medium-size lockers, and a full-length mirror. Decor is fresh and modern: sea-green bedspreads offsetting white walls, and dark wood-paneled floors. For less privacy, there are four-person dorms with two sets of bunk-beds, as well as dorms ranging from six to 12 beds. Four- and six-bed female-only dorms are also available. The common bathrooms are colorful and large, with rows of sinks and narrow shower stalls with handheld shower nozzles. Many rooms are located on the upper floors, somewhat removed from the sounds of Edinburgh's pub crawlers, but guests should be aware that some rooms are noisier than others.

The funky feel continues with the hostel's VW Cafe: The owner created the bar counter starting from an old, bright yellow Volkswagen van covered in graffiti. Here, the mostly young (but occasionally older) travelers can get acquainted over beers, snacks bought at the adjacent Kick Ass Cafe, or dinners rustled up in the spacious and colorful common kitchen. There's a pool table in the cafe, as well as a beehive-like Relaxation Pod with small wooden tables where backpackers can play the many board games available. Weary sightseers can flop onto the colorful beanbag chairs in the upstairs Tree House, designed to feel like a cabin in the woods. The hostel has two washers and two dryers, which are often in use. Events, like quiz nights and movie nights, are held weekly, and city tours depart from the hostel each morning. Wi-Fi is free.