London Hostels

I have just started planning for my first trip to Europe, and London was going to be one of my stops but now Im having second thoughts due to the fact everyone seems pretty negative about the hostels there. Any advice?

[travelpunk]

I wouldn´t "not" go to London based on the hostel thing. London´s the hub of Europe and is a very beautiful city. I figured, okay, what´s this place all about? So I went for a couple of days and only wished I was able to extend my stay, but work wouldn´t let me Remember that it´s a bit expensive, so if you do end up gong there, maybe go at the end of your trip so you don´t blow all of your money at the begining

Heard good stuff, overall, about The Generator Voted in the TOP TEN last month. As well as the Picadilly House also voted TOP TEN last month.

I stayed at the International Student House in their other building down the street. Had a private room and it was nice and melloooooowwwww ^_^

That's a bit of a contradiction given that you've added the Generator to your list of worst hostels.

i would stick to Piccadilly Hostel!

[travelpunk]

Actually, that was a HUGE contradiction! Thanks for pointing that out!

I went back and re-read the post on this forum entitled "Bad Experiences" by junglespikey, and found that he hadn´t said anything bad about, just that he hated it.

Since his travels, The Generator has been ranked one of the TOP TEN hostels in the world, now, rated by backpackers and budget travelers through the hostelworld site.

I took it off of the penalty box list, due to this ranking. Thanks for pointing that out

[nyblackpapi]

Originally posted by Guest@Jun 12 2003, 04:27 PM
I have just started planning for my first trip to Europe, and London was going to be one of my stops but now Im having second thoughts due to the fact everyone seems pretty negative about the hostels there.* Any advice?

I am in london right now. I agree with TravelPunk, you'll be doing yourself a real disservice if you were to go to europe without going to london. However, assuming that you are from the US you should limit your stay over there because a dollar will only buy you .50 british popunds. Thus, everything would be twice as expensive. What I did was stayed at the Hyde Inn hostel which is about 10 pounds a nite and budget my money as much as possible. I suggest you go there for just two to three days at most. the firts day you can go to the museums and the second and third sightseeing. Of course this is not going to be enough time. Nevertheless, the alternative would be to blow your entire month long backpacking budget in a week in london. If you do the math you'll see that the mathematics do not match.

[travelpunk]

I hear that NBP!

London is ssooooo expensive! You can blow half your funds, if you're not careful, on this city alone! If you've got the money and time, then disregard this post, but if you're on a budget, be forewarned that London will take a bite out of your budget .

[***Beady***]

The Generator I've heard isn't too bad actually. It's the best for value for money.
Well, it's cheaper than Piccadily Hostel anyway.
London is expensive. I come from London originally, and, it's a great place, but will eat your money. So, just shop at markets.

[travelpunk]

Thanks Beady! I agree London is a great place! I only wish that I had more time and funds when I was there Guess, that just gives me a reason to go back there again. I want to see Stonehenge among other things.

For the money and ambience, the Generator sounds like a great and inexpensive experience for us budget travelers .

[CanadianFlower]

Hey I stayed in the Generator last summer for almost a week and I had the greatest time there.. little confusion on beds at the beggining but they handled it nicely and I'd go back in a second! the pub in the building makes a great way to meet people...

[travelpunk]

Thanks CF! That's pretty consistent with other reviews that I've read! We truly appreciate your review !

[wanderingwaterman]

Hey all,
I'd like to add my two cents in regards to the Generator. Was there two summers ago, and I HIGHLY recommend the place. Spent more than a month there, and yes, it is expensive, especially coming from the U.S., but I've got some great memories from there, and met the best people. Will be going back soon, after the summer crowds die off, and I agree with CanadianFlower, the pub is just the best place. Don't miss London!

[kudos_for_1984]

[font=Geneva][i][color=blue]

Hallo everyone! This is my first time on this message board and I just had some commentary on the current hot topic of the moment. I'm going to be traveling to London in September, and it's the very first time that I'm actually going outside of the US..so understandably I am incredibly excited! I've actually booked accomodation at The Generator and it really wasn't that expensive, it was actually the cheapest of all the Youth Hostels that I found online...for 8 nights, I am paying about $450 USD...around 240 pounds...and it's a Private room; normally, I think most Private rooms run about $200 more.....and I'm glad to see all the good reviews that this place is receiving...and alot of my nervousness about being a first time traveller have been put to rest......

Sorry that this is so long! And thanks for reading!

[MolsonGirl]

Welcome to the Boards!! I'm in London right now and I love it... so much to see and do... if you're ever bored hit Covant Gardens.. it's the mecca for tourists who just wanna chill out and watch some street performances. I was there last night and watched some guy stay motionless for over an hour and then gave him some cash just cause he was so good at not doing anything LOL And remember in London there are always cheap ways of doing things and always ways around paying for things, if you look hard enough.

[Blakeimus]

Generator is a great hostel, it is driven by alcohol, noise, and craziness, If you wanna have fun, talk alot and possibly get laid, i suggest this hostel. If you want a quite nice place DONT GO THERE. I spent 2 weeks in total at the generator and had to help 2 kids with alcohol related problems. I also through a wine bottle at someones head, and they didnt tell the cops.. 3 CHEERS FOR THE GENERATOR...

[beergal]

I also through a wine bottle at someones head, and they didnt tell the cops..


didnt think this would be the tpunkers spirit (ha ha sorry forgive the pun)

[Blakeimus]

Its not at all the tpunk spirit. But neither is accepting abuse from little pricks. 15 minutes i just sat there and ignored the kid, 2 days no sleep and he threw something and said the wrong thing and I lost it. Trust me he deserved it.

[jorgino]

Where's the GENERATOR located? WHat is it close to?? Is it a good place to rest after a busy day sightseeing/walking/shopping????

[blktauna]

The Generator is in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum, very close to the Russel Square tube stop. (for the one who asked)

I didn't care for it much. My floor's toilets were constantly broken and they were doing renovations so the smell of paint was a bit much all the time.

Saying that, the people were nice, the bar was convenient and the lads in towels on the way to the shower was a wonderful sight to see.


This was November 2003.

[Somnambulation]

^hehe it hasnt changed a bit.

[danny]

To bring up and old subject the Generator sux arse. Last night when i was asleep in the dorm one of the fuckwit managers tried to come in and rape one of my friends until i put a stop to it.

To make matters worse when i told the security they didn't care they said it happens all the time so beware females travelling by themselves.

I hate rapist and i am a bloke