a&o Edinburgh CityvsMalmaison Edinburgh
Both Safestay Edinburgh and Malmaison Hotel are praised by professional travelers. On balance, Malmaison Hotel scores significantly better than Safestay Edinburgh. Malmaison Hotel comes in at #5 in Edinburgh with recommendations from 10 sources like Fodor's, Lonely Planet and The Telegraph.
a&o Edinburgh City
 Rough Guide
 Afar Magazine
 The Telegraph
 Oyster
 Lonely Planet
50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NE , Scotland
From $13/night
- Bar/Lounge
 - Free Internet
 - Laundry Service
 - Laundy Room
 - Restaurant
 - Breakfast buffet
 
 "A five-star hostel just off the Royal Mile, with 622 beds in twin rooms or dorms. Women-only rooms are available." 
 "Hostels - the word alone is strong enough to awaken the worst feelings in the world." Full review
8.0
 "A good example of a competitive new style of hostel accommodation: less relentlessly wholesome than a traditional rambler’s rest but not a party-animal pit." Full review
Budget
 "Part hostel, part residence hall, the budget Safestay Edinburgh is a young, casual property with a party atmosphere." Full review
 Top Choice
 "A big (620 beds), bright, modern hostel that feels more like a hotel... A huge bar and a central location just off the Royal Mile make this a favourite place to stay for the young, party-mad crowd." Full review
Malmaison Edinburgh
 Michelin Guide
 Insight Guides
 Rough Guide
 Star Service
 Frommer's
 Lonely Planet
 Oyster
 Time Out
 Fodor's
 The Telegraph Show All Reviews 
1 Tower Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7BZ, Scotland
From $82/night
- Bar/Lounge
 - Free Internet
 - Room Service
 - Laundry Service
 - Restaurant
 - Fitness Center
 
 "Impressive former sea mens' mission, set on the quayside; the first of the Malmaison hotels." 
 "A superb renovation of Leith's former Seamen's Mission building featuring art deco styling, four-poster beds and a first class restaurant and Parisian bistro." 
 "Chic, modern hotel set in the grand old seamen’s hostel just back from the wharf-side." 
 "Located a 15-minute drive from the center (a long half-hour walk), this hotel cuts a fashionable figure in the longshoreman's part of town." Full review
 "It's a respectable part of the spruced-up waterfront, its brasserie and bar buzzing, with guests spilling out onto the cobbled street." Full review
 i 
Opt for a room at the front that overlooks the port
 "The stylish, award-winning Malmaison is housed in a 19th-century former Seaman's Mission in Leith." 
 i 
Be sure to ask for a superior room at the front of the hotel, for extra space and a view over the river.
Upscale
 "An upscale boutique property with 100 rooms, Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh is housed in a former house of ill repute (yes, a brothel)." Full review
 "The Leith hotel that kicked off a hospitality phenomenon." Full review
 "Once a seamen's hostel, Edinburgh's link in the pioneering boutique hotel chain draws a refined clientele." Full review
8.0
 "Works hard at promoting a sexy image, but is fun and comfortable too, with good-sized rooms, decent food and drink, friendly staff and even some token tartan to remind guests where they are." Full review