I've stayed at a number of hostels in Edinburgh and if truth be told I would be happy to stay at all of the ones I've tried so far because they offer such great value for money and none of them have been so bad to justify significant criticism.\n\nHowever, I do have my favourites for one reason or another and so I have to make a judgement relative to my overall experience with other hostels. I stayed one night at the Castle Rock after my preferred hostel was fully booked. The reception was friendly and well organised as they checked me in quickly and courteously.\n\nMy overall impression was of a very big hostel, an old building with a medieval theme inside, suits of armour and paintings depicting medieval scenes. The hostel was clean and tidy, the guests I met there were well behaved. The kitchen was large, the number of food storage boxes indicated the large number of people staying there.\n\nThe dorms were clean and I was lucky because there were only three other people in a 12 bed dorm so it was quiet. I was allocated a bed, you don't get to choose whereas in other hostels you can take your pick which is more flexible if you like to choose the lower or upper bunk. Lockers are provided, always a nice touch and gives peace of mind if you have cameras and computers. The only thing I didn't like were the sewn in cotton bed sheets because I like to stick my feet outside the covers because I don't like hot feet. Accordingly I didn't get a great kip in this hostel.\n\nThe showers were effective, modern and clean but it should be noted that this hostel doesn't provide shower gel and it should also be noted that breakfast is an extra \u00a31.50, some hostels include breakfast in the price. \n\nIn conclusion I would say it is a good hostel but not my choice due to sewn in bed sheets and car access is awkward here as well due to the location next to the castle. Nevertheless, due to the value it would be unfair to give this hostel less than 4 stars.