Edinburgh, a multicultural metropolis (a small one at that compared to other major cities in Britain), a city with sole that oozes wisdom and self-assurance combined with a chic and student-like playfulness and carefree attitude. A city that provides an ever-emerging underground scene, in both senses of the word. Half of the goings on in the city seems to be underground – a good thing when you're trying to escape the cold weather, discover a new band or immerse yourself in a good book in a historic pub – a bad thing when you're desperate to make a phone call or check your emails. It's a city that's big and happening enough to hold it's own with the tourist trail - Hogmanay, Fringe Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to mention but a few. Yet small enough to retain it's individuality and charm and is home to friendly, chatty and helpful people who on the whole seem to enjoy life and are proud of the city they call home.
High Street Hostel is located just off the High Street in the old town and claims to be the city's oldest hostel. When you enter the solid and prominent building you are greeted by a large, warm and homely lounge area, furnished with sofas, table and chairs, a few status of medieval 'knights in shining armour' and a succession of multi-socket power adaptors which every backpacker and their laptop are plugged into. For it seems that if you don't have a smartphone, smart tablet or laptop then you are definitely not one of the kool kids at this hostel. New age technology and medieval entrance aside, the first obvious thing about High Street Hostel is the meet and greet from the enthusiastic staff. Quick to tell you about the social aspects of your stay – the must do pub crawls, pool nights, pizza nights and any other social night starting with the letter P; their main priority is definitely about getting people socialising rather than concerning guests with the nuts and bolts - the house rules, where the kitchen is, if you can hire towels etc.
In a place this bustling and of this size (159 beds and counting) it's not surprising that staff don't impose each and every new guest with the dos and don'ts of their stay. Which, judging by a sign I clocked on one of the bedroom doors (indicating that if the occupiers are caught smoking in the room one more time, they will be prosecuted), with all the will in the world, pointing out the rules to people who's interest is all about bending them is of not much consequence. Having said this, upon my hostel tour I was pleasantly surprised to find the bathrooms and toilet areas clean and tidy, plus guests enjoy the benefits of staying in a place with machine-washable mattresses. This means that the chances of picking up any new friends, Bruce the bed bug, Felicity the flea and the likes, are minimal. Other features in the boudoir department worth mentioning include individual lockers (there is also a larger safe at reception for more valuable items), two pillows for every bed, and for the romantics and more private folk there's a double room and two twin rooms available. Furthermore, staff kindly have guests' beds already made upon check-in and are the ones who remove the bedding for washing upon check-out. A welcome gesture for any traveler.
From the bedrooms to the basement, the communal self-catering kitchen is to say the least sizeable, well equipped and airy with colourful murals across the walls. Down here it's less about laptops and more about chilling out and meeting new friends.
High Street Hostel also provides a basic breakfast – most probably the cheapest in the whole of Scotland (circa 70p for a huge bowl of particularly tasty muesli) - and free tea, coffee and hot chocolate throughout the day. It's also one of the growing number of hostels that have turned eco-friendly, with recycling bins and signs dotted about the place encouraging guests to dispose of their rubbish considerately and to turn off the lights to save electricity.
Areas of consideration:
Even when not at it's peak capacity there was seemingly a lack of power points to cater for everyone charging their laptops and smart devices. Especially in the bedroom where I didn't actually find a single power point. This also meant that the early risers (i.e. 5am) resorted to blow-drying their hair in the corridor for all and sundry to hear. On the floor I was staying (floor 5) there was also a very creaky door in need of a squirt of WD40, meaning that every time someone passed through the corridor – frequently throughout the night – I painstakingly woke up. With the relaxed approach at this hostel, I also wonder how much calm and order there would be if guests had to evacuate the premises during an emergency situation, without such procedures ever being highlighted when checking in.
All in all I would recommend High Street Hostel for its location, social atmosphere and inclusive manner of hosting guests. For those who are heavy sleepers or like to party first and sleep later, the fast pace and busyness of this hostel will be an attraction. However if traveling with a family or you like more peace and quite then the double or twin rooms could prove a better option.
By Kathryn Louise Geels
Photography, creative writing and project management.
Published by Will Carey on October 25th, 2011 at 3.18pm
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