Weekend breaks in Europe can be just as expensive as a longer international holiday, so locating cheap chic accommodation is a blessing. The Generator Hostels brand is gradually expanding, providing young travellers with a thrifty lodging option in Europe’s best cities. The flagship establishment, Generator Barcelona, combines both hostel and hotel offering the very best in Catalan style and culture to its visitors at affordable prices.
Located in Barcelona’s trendy district of Eixample, Generator offers private hotel rooms with en-suite bathrooms and shared hostel dormitories. There is everything you need on site: a 24-hour reception, free private lockers and free Wi-Fi in public areas and private rooms. There is air conditioning and heating throughout to allow for diverse weather conditions, as well as individual power sockets and reading lamps for each bed. Female-only dormitories thoughtfully include magazines, hairdryers and other amenities. The eclectic and colourful communal areas are lovely spaces to eat, drink, work and chat.
Those interested in sightseeing will be pleased to know that Diagonal and Verdaguer metro stations are within five minutes walk. The Gràcia district, which has a multitude of boutiques and bars, is also just a short walk away. We enjoyed fine tapas at nearby restaurant La Pepita, and if you are peckish at night try the 24 hour churros outlet Xurreria Trebol.
In our 7th floor hotel room we found everything we needed for a very comfortable stay,I completely forgot I was in a hostel. The en suite bathroom had a small shower, sink, mirror, toilet and toiletries bag and the walls were covered in ornate tiling. The bed was made up in soft linen with plump pillows and an attractive rug hung on the wall above. Thick dressing gowns were folded at the foot of the bed for us to use. Outside we had a little private terrace with a lounger, perfect for soaking up the summer sun.
Guests can have a fresh daily breakfast at extra cost. Generator Hostel Barcelona also has a communal lounge with computers available for rent and a luggage storage service.
The décor in the main reception is reminiscent of festival celebrations with hundreds of paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and patterned arrangements on the walls. The look and sound is all about fun and everywhere you look people are enjoying themselves, so obviously Generator is doing something right!
More information and book here.
Many thanks to the Barcelona Tourist Board for their help with this trip, more information here.