The Baxter

Housed in a tiny 18th-century building shared with other hostels and tucked away in a small alley in the New Town, The Baxter doesn’t rank high on first impressions. A tiny door opens directly onto steep, narrow stairs where guests sometimes have to push through people hanging out and smoking to get to the second floor housing The Baxter. Once inside the hostel, though, it’s easy to forget the somewhat dodgy welcome. Guests are ushered to a beautiful common kitchen for check-in, where wooden tables, patterned tiles, exposed stone, and big windows combine to create an industrial-chic space full of character. Midnight-blue walls with moldings, handsome herringbone wood floors, and padded benches decorated with plush pillows and fluffy throws create an inviting, cozy space where guests can socialize, work, read, or grab a cup of free tea or coffee. The kitchen is the only common area, but the rest of the hostel is equally stylish, with tartan patterns and funky artworks on walls, wainscoting, and a spotless shared bathroom with subway tiles, sturdy wooden doors, and hydraulic-tile floors.The atmosphere is young, casual, and friendly, and the hostel is quiet during the day, when guests -- most of whom are young European backpackers -- are out exploring the city. The lounge/reception/common kitchen is busiest during breakfast (which is offered free daily) and in the afternoon, but noise is generally not an issue, as it is a little away from the dorms. Although, a loud pub downstairs creates evening noise that carries. The compact size of the hostel (it occupies just one small floor in the building) makes it a good pick for travelers wanting a low-key hostel stay, but those seeking something livelier may prefer the Budget Backpackers, which has bigger lounges and an activities program. The Code Hostel is an excellent alternative in the same price range as The Baxter, as it offers pod-like dorms with USB ports and privacy curtains, an equally convenient location in the heart of the action, and more showers and toilets. 

The Baxter is located on a tiny alley right off Princes Street, Edinburgh’s top shopping destination and one of the most popular areas in town. While this is an excellent location for those wanting to explore the New Town’s many pubs, shops, and restaurants, it is also a great spot for travelers interested in visiting the sights. Most major attractions, including Calton Hill, Scott Monument, the Scottish National Gallery, the Royal Mile, the National Museum of Scotland, and St Giles’ Cathedral are all within a 10-minute walk of The Baxter, while Edinburgh Castle is just about 15 to 20 minutes away. Waverley Station, which is Edinburgh’s main transportation hub, is just down the street from the hostel, and one of its main entrances can be reached in less than five minutes on foot. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Edinburgh Airport by car, and the airport buses and trams stop a five-minute walk from the hostel. 

The Baxter has six dormitories, including two female-only rooms, and a private four-bed room with its own bathroom. All are decorated in the same industrial-chic style as the common spaces, with custom-made, three-tier metal bunk beds, exposed stone walls with Georgian wood paneling, and cute painted tiles on floors. Bunk beds are outfitted with thick, comfortable mattresses and free linens, plus power sockets, reading lights, and small shelves. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hostel. Cage-style lockers (locks available for a fee) have enough space to fit in a carry-on bag and a purse, or a medium-sized backpack, but not larger luggage. Towels can be rented for a daily fee. All five dorms share a single bathroom with four showers, two toilets, and two tiny sinks located at the end of the hallway. Subway tiles on walls and painted tiles on floors are attractive touches, and the space is always clean and fresh, but there have been complaints of long waits for showers and toilets in the morning. Plus, the only space where guests can get dressed is in the shower, which can make matters worse (and more uncomfortable). No toiletries are provided. There is a loud pub downstairs from The Baxter, and noise carries in the evening, but earplugs are available free of charge. Dormitories lack ceiling fans and air-conditioning. 

The only common space at The Baxter is the beautiful common kitchen, where guests can prepare their own meals, lounge, or socialize with other guests. The kitchen is stocked with all the essentials to cook a full meal -- gas stove, large sink, lots of counter space, espresso machine, toaster, kettle, and oven -- and food can be stored in a shared fridge. Guests are requested to do their own dishes. A filling breakfast of free-range scrambled eggs, toast, and tea or coffee is served daily free of charge, and there is always free tea and coffee available in the kitchen.Guests taking short trips outside of town can store their luggage on-site for a daily fee, and the hostel has its own app with travel tips, suggested itineraries, offline city maps, and a list of pubs, shops, and restaurants recommended by the staff.  Wi-Fi is free throughout the hostel.