The Generator - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

rsobers · 04-27-2004, 06:55 AM

I've been researching hostels in London and I narrowed it down to the Generator and the Piccadilly Hotel. I was leaning toward Piccadilly because of it's location and the fact that there isn't a bar inside the hostel (so it won't be noisy if I don't feel like partying) but they organize trips to local pubs.

However, I just found that I can book a 4 bed dorm room at Generator through studios92.com for 11.10 pounds per night, which is 1 pound cheaper than a 10 bed room at Piccadilly. So I'm thinking about booking all 4 nights at the Generator to lock in this rate.

I'm a little hesitant though because I've read a lot of bad reviews about the Generator. I don't mind being in a party hostel, but I'd like to be able to sleep comfortably at 1-2am and not have to worry about random people coming in and puking on the floor (some of the stories I've heard on bugeurope and other review sites).

Does anyone here have 1st hand experience?

Thanks.

Rob

TUI · 04-27-2004, 11:23 AM

Ive stayed there twice, it is a party hostel but in the dorm there were no problems

**space virgin** · 04-27-2004, 12:12 PM

I'm staying at the generator right now and it hasn't been like that at all, and £11 for a 4-bed dorm seems almost too good to be true (i.e. read the fine print before giving them your credit card info!) I'm in an 8-bed dorm for £15 per night, with 7 guys. Lucky me. The only problem is that for some reason it's been hot as hell (I'm talking temperature, people!!) in the damn rooms all night, I only slept about 3 hours because of that.

The place is so big though that you probably won't even notice the bar unless your room is directly above it.

**clevercraig** · 04-27-2004, 12:53 PM

When I tried to book through the Generators web sight it told me 24 Euros for a 14 bed room, granted that's late may but that is quite the jump. I am seriously considering Hyde Park Inn (not hyde park hostel, they're different hostels) if anyone has any input that would be great.

TUI · 04-27-2004, 03:16 PM

Hyde park Inn, is that a St Christophers hostel?

rsobers · 04-27-2004, 03:19 PM

Hmm. Check out Studios92. That's where I got the price quote. I just tried it for late May and it says 11.10 pounds per night for a 4 bed dorm room. This rate is significantly lower than booking through the Generator website, which really makes me wonder if it really is too good to be true.

I read the terms and conditions and couldn't find any traps. Does anyone know if this website is legit?

Space Virgin: aside from the temperature, how has your stay been thus far? Can you offer up any pros and cons for the Generator?

Thanks so much.

**clevercraig** · 04-27-2004, 03:30 PM

http://www.hydeparkinn.com/#

This is the one i am checking out

TUI · 04-27-2004, 03:34 PM

dude Ive never stayed there at Hyde Park but I looked around the site and it looks pretty damn good. Nice prices as well, thanks for the tip clevercraig

**clevercraig** · 04-27-2004, 03:53 PM

Thanks for the reassurance, of course for us first timers thats the great thing about this site. Less than a month, the drums start to beat!

**AdamTheCultured** · 05-03-2004, 11:30 AM

Yea I am going to stay in the generator the 14th of May...so i'll let everyone know what i think of it...cant wait...only a week and a half left until take off......i can't believe its so close...after about 2 years of planning....its almost surreal....

**MolsonGirl** · 05-03-2004, 06:17 PM

I've stayed in the Generator and absolutly loved it... I met sooo many great people there and the free breakfast is key. also they give you free beer... I only stayed 6 days but I still thought it was great... big.... but great!

rsobers · 05-04-2004, 04:23 PM

I'm torn between the Generator and Piccadilly Hotel. I need to book soon as I'll be arriving on May 18th. They're both about the same price. I like that Piccadilly is very central, and that I should be able to get a decent nights sleep because there isn't a bar in the building, but then again, I really want to meet people and party, too. Tough decision, but it doesn't seem like I'll go wrong with either.

bettie · 05-08-2004, 09:33 PM

Hey Rob,
I plan to be at the Piccadilly myself the first week of June! Maybe I'll see you there!

katetacular · 05-09-2004, 12:40 AM

I was talking to my friends Travis and Sam about my trip and the hostels I'm planning to stay in and when I told them I was staying @ The Generator, Sam got all excited for me and was like "hey Travis, Katey is going to be staying @ the Generator" and then they were both like "yeah it is really cool. You'll like it a lot especially seeing as its your first stop." And Sam was telling me about how cool it is asthetically and the good location for the avg. goodtimes backpacker. Hope this helps you decide! I'll be there from the 17th-20th for sure and am pretty excited from what I've heard.