Relatively quiet central London location, 10-minute walk from King's Cross
Fun and artistic interior design and intermingling areas
Clean, modern dorms have lockable storage and power sockets
Chilled-out bar with DJ nights, bar games, and cheap cocktails
On-site Travel Shop offering maps, theater tickets, and advice
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms are cramped
Ambience slightly industrial in places
Showers sometimes on different floors and lack private changing areas
The Generator Hostel represents a new type of high-end hostelling with a real emphasis on creating a fun, chilled-out atmosphere conducive to interaction between guests. It's a good choice for both young solo travelers and groups, offering dorms for up to 12 people and private rooms, though some are cramped. The cafe, bar, and cinema room are all great spaces to relax, and the hostel's event program is a nice touch. While it's not perfect, or the cheapest hostel in the capital, there are few with as good a central London location that promise such a snazzy vibe.
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Scene
Fun and funky hostel housed in 1930s apartment block
Formerly a 1930s apartment block, the Generator Hostel is found through a narrow, cobbled alleyway that opens up to steps leading to the main entrance. Inside, the low-lit lobby is super hip but welcoming, with murals, art installations, and quirky signage in bold, bright colors. The emphasis is on a laid-back, sociable vibe, with the ground floor chill-out space encouraging intermingling between guests. Hallways are clean, fresh, and modern and each floor is color-coded and named after a movie or TV character. Unsurprisingly, clientele tend towards international, young backpackers looking for a good time and good value accommodation in exorbitant central London.
Location
Relatively peaceful Bloomsbury location walking distance from London's buzzing center
The hostel is located in central London's relatively quiet neighborhood of Bloomsbury, 10-minutes' walk from the transport hub of King's Cross. It's about a 20-minute walk to the bustle of the city center, the shopping of Oxford Street, and Soho's famous nightlife. Being just a block from Russell Square tube station also means easy access to the rest of London. The hostel's surrounding neighborhood has a smattering of eateries and a movie theater, and is just a five-minute walk from pretty Saint George's Gardens.
Rooms
Clean, modern dorms provide comfortable bedding and lockers
Dormitories provide clean, basic, and modern accommodation shared between four and twelve people. The decor is unfussy: wood floors, white beds, colorful walls. Bunk beds have privacy boards, and super soft pillows and duvets, while the rooms include full-length mirrors, lockable storage, and power sockets. Private twin rooms (with ensuite bathrooms), and triple and quad rooms (without ensuite bathrooms) are also available. Female-only dorms also provide dressing tables and chill-out areas. Towels and lockers are not included in the price, and some rooms are tiny. Showers are sometimes on different floors and lack private areas for changing.
Features
Plenty of space for relaxing or socializing, plus a program of events
The hostel's Cafe Bar is a chilled-out space with quirky, eclectic decor -- including cozy, orange chairs and window-side couches for reading or relaxing -- serving breakfast, sandwiches, and sweet and savory snacks throughout the day. The Generator Bar is a fun, low-it drinking area with an industrial-meets-college-dorm aesthetic: exposed pipes and unfinished wood, bar games, cheap cocktails, and a London bus that doubles as a DJ booth. A cinema room shows movies, and the hostel has a program of live music and other events, like game nights and open mic nights. There is also a Travel Shop selling maps and theater tickets, and offering general travel advice.
