Generator Hostel comes to Paris with rates as low as €25
The Generator group, a trendy budget hotel and hostel chain that operates locations from London to Berlin, has recently made news with the opening of its giant, 920-bed hotel. Coinciding with a falling euro, the hotel offers a great new option for Paris-bound budget travelers.
But who is this Generator Paris for? And what exactly does it offer? We recently stopped by to investigate.
Book a room at Generator Paris
Make no mistake, the vibe at the Generator is calculated to appeal to younger travelers, although the prices and views might just attract visitors of every age. The hostel is located at Place Colonel Fabien, just a few blocks from the trendy bars, cafes and restaurants of the Canal Saint-Martin.
Spacious, well-designed, and with some stellar views, the Generator offers a fresh take on budget sleeping in Paris that we wish we had when backpacking Europe.
Related:
• Our 8 favorite hotels in Paris under €80
• Our full list of cheap hotels in Paris
• Our guide to saving on hotels in Paris
Generator Hostel Paris: Affordable rooms with a stunning view
An urban industrial theme runs through the entire complex, which houses a total of 920 beds spread across shared rooms and private doubles. The six premium doubles with huge terraces offer breathtaking views of Sacre Coeur and the north of Paris from the eighth floor. (Starting at €128, these are still a deal for Paris.)
Sleep in style with a Premium Room featuring a private terrace with lovely views. Photo: Courtesy of Generator Hostels
Standard doubles lack outdoor terraces, but some still offer great views. Searching for private rooms in the spring, we found rates as low as €98. Shared rooms feature 4, 6, 8, or 10 beds and start at €25 a night per person – which is a very good deal for a Paris hostel. There’s also a girls-only option as well as the possibility to have a private quad.
Rooms are spacious for this city, featuring private toilets and showers in each, with shared facilities available on each floor as well. The design is simple, with a sort of industrial-chic vibe.
The shared rooms are not a step above your typical youth hostel. Photo: Courtesy of Generator Hostels
Perks, dining and a 24-hour vibe
The hostel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, as well as a multilingual 24-hour reception and a laundry room. Safety is big here, with a guard checking that you have your key card, which is used to access the hallways and rooms.
The ground floor hosts a cafeteria-style dining area that serves food until 10 pm, and provides quite a bit of seating and an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining. Upstairs, a Moroccan-inspired lounge area is open 24/7, and is a cool spot to kick back and meet other travelers.
The cafe area is where guests can grab a snack or a coffee, while using free Wi-Fi. Photo: Courtesy of Generator Hostels
Downstairs, an enormous bar area hosts DJs and other parties until 2 am. The Metro-inspired dance area makes good use of this former parking garage. An Italian bartender shakes up signature cocktails concocted just for the Generator. (We’d go here for a drink, but it’s not open to the public!)
As with its other properties, this Generator takes inspiration from its host city. In this case, French wine and locally-brewed beer are on tap at the bar, various works of art by local artists hang on the walls, and decorations like the lights over the bar found at the Parisian flea markets.
Hang out in the upper level common area that is open 24 hours a day. Photo: Courtesy of Generator Hostels
Trendy location
The hostel has plunked itself down in one of Paris’ hottest neighborhoods. Young urban travelers will appreciate the nearby hipster-laden Canal Saint-Martin, with its quirky restaurants and trendy coffee shops. A 10-minute walk east of the property is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, a pristine patch of green for a morning jog or afternoon picnic.
Located on the metro line 2, Montmartre and the Père Lachaise cemetery are easily reachable, while central Paris is a quick trip with a transfer.
Conclusion
If you’re 18-35 years old or just young at heart, the Generator might be a good idea for a budget stay in Paris, but you don’t have to be backpacking through Europe to stay here. Young business travelers will be more than comfortable here, especially if they can nab one of the premium doubles.
Sound like your type of place? Book a room at Generator Paris.
Generator Hostel Paris
11 Place du Colonel Fabien
10th arrondissement
Metro: Colonel Fabien
+33 1 70 98 84 00
About the author
