Generator: a huge, trendy, brightly coloured youth hostel
Half-youth hostel, half-hotel, Barcelona Generator, open since Spring 2013, is a really unique place. Located in the old natural gas building, its impressive dimensions can accommodate more than 600 people.
Its huge size could easily make it an impersonal space but fortunately its considered and original decor gives it a very pleasing character.
Urban style at Generator youth hostel
Lobby and lounges
The entrance to the Generator impresses with its design and originality. Gigantic compositions in wood, astonishing wicker swings, and dozens of coloured poufs give a warm and fantastical touch to the otherwise grey steel interior.
The interior architects of this monumental building knew how to make it really feel like part of Barcelona. Every floor has an area of the city as its theme, and the floor of the lift resembles the city’s very recognisable cobblestones.
There are spaces for reading, or for playing pool or table football, in pleasantly decorated rooms.
Generator hostel’s rooms and dormitories
The youth hostel offers:
- 58 6-person dormitories, of which 6 are female only.
- 18 4-person dormitories.
- 25 8-person dormitories.
- 13 rooms for 2 people.
All of the dormitories have a shower and separate toilet. The 8-person dormitories have two washbasins instead of one.
They are all fitted with bunk beds, large storage drawers, plugs, LED lamps, sheets and duvets.
Each floor has a space with three showers and an extra toilet.
- My advice: bring your own towel to avoid paying 3 euros plus a 7 euro deposit to be returned at the end of your stay.
Some dormitories have disabled access.
Hotel Generator and its trendy design
Double rooms
The Generator offers 40 double rooms with bathroom, complete with shower, toilet and bath towel included.
The hotel rooms are simple but impeccable and 18 of them open onto a terrace.
Super coloured lobby
The hotel reception is open 24 hours. Its decor has been studiously designed to be both welcoming and trendy, two things that do not always go together.
Common areas of the Generator hotel and youth hostel
It’s breakfast time…
This enormous basement room has capacity for more than 100 people.
For less than 5 euros you can have a continental buffet breakfast between 7am and 10am.
- My advice: Have breakfast in the local area, for a nicer atmosphere.
Need to do some washing?
A laundry is open 24 hours with washers and dryers available, for a small fee obviously.
Fancy a drink…
The Generator’s finishing touch is its joyfully decorated café, the festa Gràcia named in honour of the local holiday.
It offers a varied menu of tapas and cocktails and it’s open every day from 8am to 2.30am.
- Tip: The price can be closer to that of a hotel than a youth hostel so be careful.
