Twin Room, Shared Bathroom
from $75
Generator Hostel London
2.0 out of 5.0
3.0
out of 5
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Recent guest reviews
Reasonable rates, but the room is too cramped. Close to virtually all the major sites such as the British museum. The staff were approachable. The hostel is safe and secure.
This hostel is nothing special. Rooms are small and walls are thin, however the price is good and the atmosphere is fun. Location isn't super central, but good enough that you can walk or take the metro most places. Would recommend for anyone on a budget.
ridiculous to say the least a million doors in the corridors (fire doors it seems) a single small lift which you have to wait for - if u unluckily get a room on the 5th or 6th floors the bar and restaurant are mediocre - just punk music - unpalatable meals the rooms have no service at all - my bed wasnot done even once in 6 days the bath has no place to keep soap/towel/clothes/etc the bath has no door - some flimsy shower curtains ! security guards keep soliciting for money overall - i was dying to leave this place never again
While the hostel looks wonderful and is very clean. We had its of issues with the service. You cannot get in without a key. So when I left my key my friend was able to get in, and I was stuck outside until they approved me. In addition, we had a private room. On the third night they rebooked our private room with us still in it. We were in the middle of changing when people walk into our private room. We were very upset, and the staff didn't really care. Luckily, we were in the room. I am just glad that they didn't send someone when we were gone or our stuff could have been stolen.
Location was great! Difficult to locate at night but when you did, close to transportation and a few museums. Staff pleasant so long as you didn't require anything other than a beer. Rooms were clean but extremely small for a family of four adults. Elevator (Lift) - only one for entire Hostel and barely room for three people with no luggage. Bathroom cleaned frequently, showers - no hot water and Laundry room - machines didn't work properly and wasn't sufficient for the 900+ people staying at the hostel.
You get what you pay for. I found the cheapest place I could find and that's what I got. I wasn't expecting the plastic coated mattress though. I forgot how annoying it is not to have a bathroom in your room. I expected to hear the bar every night, but I only heard it on karaoke night. Entertaining until about midnight, then pretty annoying. Easy to find from the train station, and only about a 7-8 minute walk from St. Pancras. All in all, I felt safe there, I felt safe leaving my stuff there while I was out, it was convenient and cheap, but I don't know that I would stay there again.
Great location. Most people staying there are young adults. The music in the bar goes till 3am. You can hear it, but neither I nor my 15 and 17 year old had trouble falling asleep. The bar, the cafe, and the lunchroom all had TV's, where we watched Euro cup football(soccer) matches. They also have a little shop where I bought shampoo. They have all you can eat breakfast for 4.5 pounds as of June 2012 and a dinner special with a beer for a couple of bucks more, laundry which I didn't try to use, wifi, which was spotty, but I did manage to get emails in and out most days. They are thinking about upgrading. They were upgrading a few rooms while I was there. They have computers which work, 1 pound per half hour. You can print for 10pence a page. They have lockers in the rooms which you can lock, but you need a padlock. They will sell you one. I rented a room with 3 beds, and just used the keycards. One was a bunk bed. They had a sink in the room. You can come and go 24/7. Mini tesco supermarket is 4 minutes walk at the Russel Square tube station. The beds are one star, but they have clean bedding, and we got towels, which we had replaced once, though I had to ask, and the person at the front desk didn't think they replaced them until I pointed out what I read on the sign on my door. The shared bathrooms were fine, but if you try to shower at the busiest time in the morning, and you are a woman, you might have to wait. I only stood behind one person waiting on 4 showers. If you've camped before, and it didn't bother you, you will be fine. One of them told me they have like 800 people staying there, so there are solutions at hand for common travel related things. The British Museum is awesome, free and walking distance. If you are there in the summer, and have not seen Queen Mary's garden in Regent's park, do. The Piccadilly line will get you to and from London Heathrow. Straight shot, no changes. It's not beautiful, or luxurious, but it is functional and maintained. Bottom line, I would stay there again, because it's ok, cheap, and in a great location, but it may not be the best for little kids, not that you couldn't, but they really are set up for 20 year olds. You can eat and drink the money you save.
I paid for one bed in a 4-bed room on internet. But when I checked in, the front girl gave me a bed in a TEN-bed room!!! Regardless I told her this is NOT what I paid for, she insisted that she cannot do anything about it. At last, I had to pay extra £20 to switch to a 4-bed room. The hall-way was shabby while the shower room was really clean. The bed sheet was wrinkled, like someone has used it already. Do watch your head if you are given a bottom bed.
We stayed for 5 days in a 4 bunk bedroom. Beds were OK, it got a bit hot at night. With windows open, the noise was minimum. Hallway noise was also minimum as we stayed in the 4th floor. Breakfast was OK, just cereal, toast with jam and coffee (not bad) some awful soda or juice. My only complain is the Breakfast room staff are not very proactive and lack any initiative. They just stand around and stare at you. One staffer saw a customer pouring coffee ina plastic cup and did not offer to get a regular coffee mug. They shouild be able to speak english at least. Other than that one incident, the stay was great. Would do it again. Great Location.
Though a clean and reasonably priced hostel, it was not a place to take children. But if I were a single college student that would be my choice to stay. Staff was friendly and always around.
Hostel is conveniently located to several tube lines and was both clean and inexpensive. Common (shared) bathrooms were plentiful and always clean. The room was rather small, but satisfactory. Continental breakfast is included. The bar downstairs did prove to be a little noisy at night, but it's to be expected in an 800 bed hostel. A wide variety of people, both nationalities and ages, were staying there. Would definitely recommend for people looking for a cheap, convenient place to stay.
This is the first time I had stayed in a hostel, and it turned out to be good experience for the money. The Generator is a large older building, but renovations were in progress while we were there. We stayed in a private room with bunk beds that were clean and there was a sink and mirrors in the room. There was a heater over the doorway that came on automatically as needed. One drawback, you could not sit up on the bottom bunk without hitting your head on the top bunk. Also our room was directly over the outside smoking area so it was a bit noisy. There was a commode directly across from us that was always available when I needed it. Due to renovations on the womens showers on the second floor, we took showers on the third floor. The showers were clean and had good water pressure and plenty of hot water. You had to go to the common area downstairs to get wireless internet as you could not get a connection in your room. Breakfast was included but I only had toast and coffee. I saw cereals and juice. The Generator is conveniently within walking distance to St. Pancras and Kings Cross Railway stations. Also the Russell Square tube station is within walking distance and is on the Piccadilly Line. There were restaurants nearby and a 24 hour store if you needed anything. I would stay here again for the price.
Guest reviews for Generator Hostel London
close to kingscross
Everyone
Reasonable rates, but the room is too cramped. Close to virtually all the major sites such as the British museum. The staff were approachable. The hostel is safe and secure.
overall ok
Families
This hostel is nothing special. Rooms are small and walls are thin, however the price is good and the atmosphere is fun. Location isn't super central, but good enough that you can walk or take the metro most places. Would recommend for anyone on a budget.
wanted a bunk for few days
Singles
ridiculous to say the least a million doors in the corridors (fire doors it seems) a single small lift which you have to wait for - if u unluckily get a room on the 5th or 6th floors the bar and restaurant are mediocre - just punk music - unpalatable meals the rooms have no service at all - my bed wasnot done even once in 6 days the bath has no place to keep soap/towel/clothes/etc the bath has no door - some flimsy shower curtains ! security guards keep soliciting for money overall - i was dying to leave this place never again
london
Families
While the hostel looks wonderful and is very clean. We had its of issues with the service. You cannot get in without a key. So when I left my key my friend was able to get in, and I was stuck outside until they approved me. In addition, we had a private room. On the third night they rebooked our private room with us still in it. We were in the middle of changing when people walk into our private room. We were very upset, and the staff didn't really care. Luckily, we were in the room. I am just glad that they didn't send someone when we were gone or our stuff could have been stolen.
dorm living
Families
Location was great! Difficult to locate at night but when you did, close to transportation and a few museums. Staff pleasant so long as you didn't require anything other than a beer. Rooms were clean but extremely small for a family of four adults. Elevator (Lift) - only one for entire Hostel and barely room for three people with no luggage. Bathroom cleaned frequently, showers - no hot water and Laundry room - machines didn't work properly and wasn't sufficient for the 900+ people staying at the hostel.
generator hostel
Couples
You get what you pay for. I found the cheapest place I could find and that's what I got. I wasn't expecting the plastic coated mattress though. I forgot how annoying it is not to have a bathroom in your room. I expected to hear the bar every night, but I only heard it on karaoke night. Entertaining until about midnight, then pretty annoying. Easy to find from the train station, and only about a 7-8 minute walk from St. Pancras. All in all, I felt safe there, I felt safe leaving my stuff there while I was out, it was convenient and cheap, but I don't know that I would stay there again.
inexpensive stay in london.
Families
Great location. Most people staying there are young adults. The music in the bar goes till 3am. You can hear it, but neither I nor my 15 and 17 year old had trouble falling asleep. The bar, the cafe, and the lunchroom all had TV's, where we watched Euro cup football(soccer) matches. They also have a little shop where I bought shampoo. They have all you can eat breakfast for 4.5 pounds as of June 2012 and a dinner special with a beer for a couple of bucks more, laundry which I didn't try to use, wifi, which was spotty, but I did manage to get emails in and out most days. They are thinking about upgrading. They were upgrading a few rooms while I was there. They have computers which work, 1 pound per half hour. You can print for 10pence a page. They have lockers in the rooms which you can lock, but you need a padlock. They will sell you one. I rented a room with 3 beds, and just used the keycards. One was a bunk bed. They had a sink in the room. You can come and go 24/7. Mini tesco supermarket is 4 minutes walk at the Russel Square tube station. The beds are one star, but they have clean bedding, and we got towels, which we had replaced once, though I had to ask, and the person at the front desk didn't think they replaced them until I pointed out what I read on the sign on my door. The shared bathrooms were fine, but if you try to shower at the busiest time in the morning, and you are a woman, you might have to wait. I only stood behind one person waiting on 4 showers. If you've camped before, and it didn't bother you, you will be fine. One of them told me they have like 800 people staying there, so there are solutions at hand for common travel related things. The British Museum is awesome, free and walking distance. If you are there in the summer, and have not seen Queen Mary's garden in Regent's park, do. The Piccadilly line will get you to and from London Heathrow. Straight shot, no changes. It's not beautiful, or luxurious, but it is functional and maintained. Bottom line, I would stay there again, because it's ok, cheap, and in a great location, but it may not be the best for little kids, not that you couldn't, but they really are set up for 20 year olds. You can eat and drink the money you save.
some surprises, but overall is good
Singles
I paid for one bed in a 4-bed room on internet. But when I checked in, the front girl gave me a bed in a TEN-bed room!!! Regardless I told her this is NOT what I paid for, she insisted that she cannot do anything about it. At last, I had to pay extra £20 to switch to a 4-bed room. The hall-way was shabby while the shower room was really clean. The bed sheet was wrinkled, like someone has used it already. Do watch your head if you are given a bottom bed.
great for family with teenagers
Families
We stayed for 5 days in a 4 bunk bedroom. Beds were OK, it got a bit hot at night. With windows open, the noise was minimum. Hallway noise was also minimum as we stayed in the 4th floor. Breakfast was OK, just cereal, toast with jam and coffee (not bad) some awful soda or juice. My only complain is the Breakfast room staff are not very proactive and lack any initiative. They just stand around and stare at you. One staffer saw a customer pouring coffee ina plastic cup and did not offer to get a regular coffee mug. They shouild be able to speak english at least. Other than that one incident, the stay was great. Would do it again. Great Location.
not for families
Families
Though a clean and reasonably priced hostel, it was not a place to take children. But if I were a single college student that would be my choice to stay. Staff was friendly and always around.
