Castle Rock Hostel

Beautiful hostel, but wouldn't go back.
They cater to people working there or those that have been staying there awhile. I was roomed with mainly European people working there and they were pretty rude to me. The workers there were helpful though. Great location, but because it was catered to people who had been staying there awhile, I found it hard to meet others, which is weird considering it is a huge hostel.

Go there!
Just great. Great Location. Great Staff. Great Services. Great city!

Had a blast!
I went to see Edinburgh planning on a long weekend and ended up living at Castle rock for many many months! Cleaned "the loo" two hours a day for rent and had a blast. This was years ago but the friends I made there I still have today and they are located all over the globe! I wish so much I was back there. would live there again in a heartbeat.

One Of The Best
I've stayed here a few years back and it was so good I came back for Hogmany 2008. This is the place to stay if you're looking to meet great people, have a great time, be in a great location, and really experience Edinburgh. And if you're not -- stay home! Nice facilities -- plenty of showers -- prime location -- great staff.

Messed up my booking
The first time I stayed here it was fine. Very central location so I went back again the second time I visited Edinburgh. I booked ten months in advance as I was staying over New Years and Edinburgh gets really busy. They messed my booking up big time. I had a six-bed dorm booked for myself and my friends and they decided to turn it into an office and not even let me know that they had now bundled us into a twelve-bed dorm. Didn't spoil our trip, was just really annoying as I'd booked so far in advance and no one made any effort to contact me. Only six showers on the second floor but never seemed to have to queue so it was fine. No sockets in the bedroom for charging phones/cameras. Edinburgh is beautiful. I would try staying somewhere else next time though.

It was a very well located place to stay, although not so clean.
The hostel is really well located, very close to the castle. The touristic points of the city are not so far from each other, so you can go on foot almost everywhere from the hostel! It was a bit noisy at night, but not so much. The cues to play pool were really bad, but you could play for free. Just don't forget to bring your flip flops to take a shower! The upstairs showers didn't have hot water and were very dirty. However, we found that the first floor showers were working very well and with very good and hot water. They were a bit cleaner than the upstairs ones, although we could find even a women's sanitary napkin in one of the showers. So, I was really unlucky to forget to bring my flip flops to take a shower, specially because I had cut my foot a day before.

Excellent hostel
i stayed here for three weeks (july/august 2007) and it was really a great experience. friendly staff, lockers in rooms, big bathroom with private showers and plenty of hot water. the location couldn't have been better and it was fairly clean. great lounge areas, full of interesting people, but the rooms were fairly quiet so you could get some sleep. excellent value for your money, would definitely stay there again.

Highlight of trip
All the earlier comments about long termers did not apply when i was there. Maybe it was because I was traveling alone and actually spoke to people, rather than sitting in a corner as I saw some people do. Went to a quiz night with the long termers on second night, and got tea cooked for me on third night just before I left. Would go back there tomorrow if I had the chance.

I loved this hostel -- easily the best one i stayed in during my time as a grotty backpacker.

This is my favourite hostel ever! I only intended staying for a few nights while visiting this awesome city. I ended up living there for over three months! everyone is friendly, staff are great, facilities are excellent. As a traveler this place is like my second home. I'm definitely going back!

Ok
Too many long-termers. Single-sex dorms are lame.

I bounced in and out of this hostel several times while studying in Edinburgh and consider the place one of my best recollections. The staff is very friendly, the location is great, the lounges are great places to meet people and relax/read, and the kitchen facilities are large and well-stocked. Suits backpackers and communal type of hostel-people. This is the only place I'll stay in Edinburgh.

I loved this hostel! The location rocked, where else can you wake up, walk outside and see a castle?! Yes there are a lot of people per room with only one overhead light, but it's fine if you're the last one in at night or just wear a sleeping mask. The beds were clean and comfy. The bathrooms were very clean and I didn't have to fight for a mirror in the morning. Breakfast room was a little on the small side but it was serve yourself so you didn't go hungry and if you get up early you miss the rush because everyone is still sleeping off the night before from the bar around the corner. The staff was extremely nice and helpful and offered to lock up our valuables like passport and cameras for the night. There were no lockers in the room but since they offer to lock up your stuff it's no biggy. The only thing I didn't like was the long walk up the hill to get there after a long flight.

I think this place suits die hard backpackers but for those who aren't into the communal thing, this is not the place for you.You have to share a room with about twelve people, unless you pay extra for a private room. Huge bathrooms and kitchen with millions of people all over the place. All too much for me.

I thought this hostel was great! I only stayed a few nights and I met some great people. The location was perfect and the staff were really nice and helpful. The bathrooms were really clean and the communal kitchen is great. If I ever get my ass back to Edinburgh, I will definitely stay here again!