I must admit, embarrassingly so, I have never stayed in a hostel. I have been told they are not “that bad” but I have always budgeted my money to stay in a nice hotel. It is part of my travel bliss. However, every time I see a movie from the 70’s there are these groups of people all hanging out, learning from each other and connecting on a deeper level, I always get a bit jealous I don’t have experiences like that. It gives me this yearn to try something new and be pushed outside of my comfort zone.
Nice hotels have always been one of my travel splurges but with the new wave of affordable luxury (I am talking $27 a night) my mind is quickly changing. Perhaps I will get my “something new” sooner than I thought. The young and hip are starting to flock to Generator, a European based Hostel company, for their unique designs, new spaces, young nightlife, and clean rooms. I am particularly fond of their terraces, decor, and eye for detail. The Generator has both shared rooms and single rooms available in cities such as Paris, London, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Berlin, and many others. And if that didn’t suffice your travel appetite they also have some pretty badass displays around each hotel. From the Generator – “Each property takes influence from their unique surroundings. Sip your cocktail under the hanging lanterns of Generator Barcelona and experience exclusive art installations from some of the finest local artists at Generator Berlin Mitte. Generator Hamburg has its own piece of history, having once been used as a Beatles recording studio, and then there’s Venice, a converted grain house sitting on the waterfront of Giudecca with grand ceilings and authentic 16th century Palladio craftsmanship.” I don’t know about you, but hostel or not, I just want to be a part of the atmosphere and energy of likeminded, young, wanderlust, movers-and-shakers.
And don’t think European travelers are the only lucky ones. Thanks to The Wayfarer travelers to Santa Barbara California can now cash in on inexpensive luxury. Enjoy a yummy cocktail laying out by their beautiful pool area or join in on great conversation around the spanish style kitchen. Everywhere you look their is beauty and design but at a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere!
Gone are the days of the grimy hostels you were scared to even hear about. Here are the days of the young, adventurous, and money conscious traveler with the world at their fingertips (and bank account). Bon Voyage!
below are images from the Generators Hostels around Europe and various shots of The Wayfarer
I stayed at the Generator Hostel in London when I was there in December, it was a perfect location and really nice and clean. I feel like I’m nearly aging out of being able to stay in hostels but I love being able to meet other travelers. I spent a year living in SE Asia and there a lot of the hostels are nicer than the hotels – and cost about $4 a night!