Generator London

Generator Hostel London

Hotel Class: 1 out of 5 stars1 Star - 33 Reviews and 635 Opinions

37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square, London, WC1H 9SE, United Kingdom

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67%

of people enjoy staying here

3.0 our of 5 stars 668 Opinions

Excellent
 
78
Very Good
 
139
Average
 
104
Poor
 
65
Terrible
 
84

Our Members Say

  • damyjeroen profile photo
  • Reviews: 1

3 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Good Location

There is a lot to do and the location is just perfect. The only thing i thought was not so good are the enormous amount of groups (schools etc) and a lot of people younger then 16.
But overal a fun stay

Unique Quality: There is a great bar, e-mail facilities and a reasonable good restaurant for less then $6

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
Generator London Photo: The hotel

Generator London Photo: The hotel


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  • tehem profile photo
  • Reviews: 6

2 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Typical youth hostel, a bit more expensive...

1 night in a noisy, cold double room. I thought that windows were opened when entering. So noisy, during the night too...
Prefer the droms, really cheaper. Double room was very expensive for an hostel : about 60 euros a night !

Unique Quality: Nothing special excepted a pub.

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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  • bryINpoland profile photo
  • Reviews: 461

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Hostel With Life

Hands down the best hostel in the world. Whatever you do, dont listen to all the old fart, boring critics who mud sling the Generator just cause they didnt get laid in the bar.

With 857 beds, a fully licensed bar (open from 6pm til 2am. The cheapest bar in London) A full kitchen serving free breakfast, paid breakfast, and paid Dinners. A Swedish chef by the name of Henrik, cooks great meals for the traveler on a budget.

I been to enough Hostels to write a book about them, and none come close to comparing to the atmosphere to the Generator. The easiest bar to meet people in, and get laid in. There are drinking games everyday of the week, that are great ways to meet people, and get the night started off right.

Most of the staff are travelors themrselves, all looking to have a good time on their off time. There are a bunch of long timers for anyone looking to stay for a while. Its easy to get stuck in the "Generator trap" and end up staying for weeks, or even months.

If you are looking for a nice quiet place, to read a book, and catch up on some sleep, then dont stay here. Not to say you cant get sleep here, after some nights in the bar, i have slept for 24 hours without being bothered. But the Generator is a palce to have fun, and meet people that you may stay in contact with for years to come...

For more on the Generator, visit the following link to their website Generator Hostel

* Please feel free to rate this tip, or any of my other tips. I am always looking to improve them. Thank you...

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
Generator London Photo: The Gang!

Generator London Photo: The Gang!


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  • mumsy3853 profile photo
  • Reviews: 1

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Londons fun Hostel



  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: Budget Travel, Family Travel

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  • epfantasia profile photo
  • Reviews: 15

3 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Stuck in the Machine

The Generator is a great place to get cheap beer as well as a place to pass out, but a downright horrible place to get any sleep or privacy. The short time I spent here was a blast -- expect to meet a lot of people simply up for having a great time while leaving museums, churches, and any other cultural attraction gathering dust on the pages of their guidebooks.

Unique Quality: Late night bar on premises. Co-ed dorms.

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: Backpacking

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  • blood_stained_lace profile photo
  • Reviews: 3

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

An energy-filled hostel

Not a luxury place, but what you'd expect for a hostel. Make sure if you're planning on sleeping not to get a room above the disco! :-) I stayed at the generator during their winter season, so it wasn't too crowded (I here it's pretty busy in the summer).
The rooms have lockers in them, big enough for my then 15 year old brother to squeeze himself into one. The rooms also have sinks, however the bathrooms are separate.

This is just how things were for me. You can check out their website to see the different options the Generator offers.

Unique Quality: The Generator is more of a place to overnight at for those who want to stay up late, hang out and party. Besides having a disco, there is also a pool table, another room to hang out in, TV, and I vaguely remember there being some sort of video game machine... I enjoyed my stay, but must admit that I didn't usually go to bed until around 4 AM. ;-)

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
  • Related to: Budget Travel
Generator London Photo: Caroline washing her face in our room

Generator London Photo: Caroline washing her face in our room


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  • tyerks profile photo
  • Reviews: 99

1 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Hostel or Home?

When I was in Berlin, I stayed at the new Generator there, so when I found out that there was one in London, I jumped at the chance to stay there, because I had had such a good time at the one in Berlin. Well, the one in London is a little different. It seemed to me that some people had made it their home. There were people in my room who had been staying there for months. They had jobs and that was just like an apartment for them. Also, the hallways are MESSY! Which is gross. I was pretty disgusted with the place after staying at the top notch one in Berlin. However, it isn't all bad. They have nightly entertainment or tournament type games, like Twister.

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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  • kcochran111 profile photo
  • Reviews: 153

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

The only place to stay

The Generator wins the "Funnest Hostel" award (yes, I know "funnest" isn't a word). They have so many activities planned for their guests, you almost don't have to leave!

Unique Quality: You get a free drink at the bar when you check in. This bar is open 'til 2 a.m. (2 1/2 hrs after London pubs close) and is a good, cheap place to meet other travelers.

Sunday's free afternoon movie was a nice break from sightseeing all day.

Breakfast is included. Beds are surprisingly comfortable, but bathrooms are pretty dingy.

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: Budget Travel, Study Abroad, School Holidays
Generator London Photo: Generator Hostel

Generator London Photo: Generator Hostel


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  • MDH profile photo
  • Reviews: 232

2 out of 5 starsUser Rating

An OK Place in London

The Generator is located in Central London near Russel Square on a quiet stretch of Tavistock Place. The Generator is Britain's largest hostel, with over 800 rooms and has a funky futuristic "Brazil"/Orwellian theme.

Personally I found this place to be OK, but probably not the best accomodation when it came down to it. The beds were uncomfortable and the toilets/showers were particularly horrid. Think of the worst high school shower, multiply by one hundred, and you're still nowhere near how bad the ones are here, where the curtains were hanging on by a thread.

However I have to say that the Generator is located in nice, comfortable and quiet neighborhood that's centrally located and near bus, train, and Underground stations. If you're not looking for comfort but are looking for good centrality, then I would recommend this place.

Unique Quality: Located in an alley on Tavistock Rd. Has "1984"-ish theme and, like all hostels, attracts a huge international guestlist.

  • Opinion of Price: least expensive
  • Related to: School Holidays, Study Abroad, Budget Travel
Generator London Photo: The entrance to the Generator at night

Generator London Photo: The entrance to the Generator at night


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  • Imbi profile photo
  • Reviews: 1257

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

"Generator " is fine

For a "cheap" night stay in London, the Generator is fine. It is not very clean, but it had a lot of amenities available on-site. It is busy during summer time.
£ 15/bed/night

Unique Quality: its centrally located and cheap

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Generator London

Generator London


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More about Generator London

Forum Posts

Generator Hostel or St. Christopher's Villiage

by seanwalker

I may wind up being by myself for a few days in London and was thinking about staying in either St. Christopher's Village or the Generator Hostel. Can anyone tell me how these are for solo travelers?

Re: Generator Hostel or St. Christopher's Villiage

by ajbrowne

Hi

I have stayed at the Generator hostel. Its basically a huge hostel with a good bar. Rooms are ok, showers are ok etc etc. The bar has cheap beer and only guest are allowed. Very friendly place which organizes pub crawls, walking tours, you can also book tours from the info desk. Overall a good hostel with a party atmosphere. It's in Kings Cross and is easy to get around London from. You can easily meet a lot of people here!

Haven't been to St Christophers.

Cheers

Re: Generator Hostel or St. Christopher's Villiage

by muguruki

Same here, been to Generator and not St Christophers. Agree with the above post great bar, good area for getting around London good transport from Kings Cross if you are wanting to go further afield, near the British Museum and a few half decent pubs in the area. Good secure lockers in the room just bring your own padlock.

Re: Generator Hostel or St. Christopher's Villiage

by Spincat

I live in london so haven't needed to stay anywhere but I know Generator was thought highly of by someone I know. It is in a really excellent location with good transport links - you can get to Covent Garden, Soho, Camden, St Pauls, Oxford St really easily + you have the British Museum very near, as mentioned - Russell Square is a nice place to go for a coffeee in the park cafe there.

Re: Generator Hostel or St. Christopher's Villiage

by littlebush

ive not stayed in the generator but have stayed in st christophers.
ive heard the generator 'goes off', ie-its a party hostel, and its huge!! so best not go if want a quiet night.
st christophers is similar as it has a pretty roudy bar too, i thought it was ok, good enough to meet people.

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 its centrally located and cheap 

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Q: worth to go? "Hihi, Have anyone been to Bicester Village?( chic outlet shopping) worth to go? Any idea how to go from Alhambra hotel? Tx..."

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