Tag Archives: hip

Generator Hotel, Barcelona

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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.

The Nolitan Hotel, New York

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In Manhattan, the borough names offer a clue about the area and its history. Nolita, now a stylish boutique-driven neighbourhood, was once unimportant and unrecognised, merely a grid of streets to the north of Little Italy.

Coming from the more frantic and commercial Midtown, I felt at home among the independent boutiques and atmospheric eateries of Elizabeth Street. The personality and charm of Nolita is infectious and it soon became my favourite area, both to explore and to experience New York life. The Nolitan captures the energy of the surrounding streets, and elements of the hotel pay homage to the Little Italy heritage; the red and white theme throughout the hotel reminds you of the familiar tablecloths in Italian restaurants. This cute colour scheme is paired with a punky modernism, the uber-chic lobby and the neon signs fit in aesthetically with the nearby boutiques.

As in most hotels in Manhattan, the rooms at The Nolitan are not big, but simple clever design makes the most of the precious space. Our room was chic and homely. The design is a mix of ultra-lux sleek materials and grungy industrial features, juxtapositions which are satisfying cool and effective. A glass balcony offers spectacular views of the city, and creates a sense of space in the room. The Queen size bed dominates the floor space, with a small desk and armchair for practicalities. The open plan bathroom means showering is an exhibitionist activity though there is a curtain for those who desire a little privacy. Organic toiletries come from Red Flower, high quality products which smell delicious too. I noticed a yoga mat in the cupboard, and was delighted to receive a special gift voucher from Tory Burch, a designer collaboration between the shop and hotel.

There are generous free perks for Nolitan guests including appetising Sips and Savouries (wine and cheese) served Monday – Saturday early evening. Check-out is thankfully late at 1pm, plus speedy Wifi and local calling is all included. The hotel’s fleet of bikes and skateboards are also available for complimentary use, so you nip around town with ease. A small shop downstairs displays the Nolitan merchandise, including branded clothes and bags and the supersoft red cashmere blankets that cover every bed.

The restaurant, Cantine Parisienne offers seasonal French cuisine in a lively casual dining environment. This engaging eatery is popular with guests and locals, a lovely addition to the Nolitan brand. Breakfast is served here or can be ordered in your room.

For downtown hipster accommodation, this hotel ticks every box. With cool design and detailing, I fell in love with everything about the place.

More information and book here: www.nolitanhotel.com

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip, and Virgin Atlantic for flights.