Hostel-meets-hotel with characterful and quirky vibe
Five minutes' walk from Canal Saint-Martin district
Gare du Nord Eurostar terminal within 20 minutes' walking
distance
Dorm bunks have individual USB power sockets and
lockers
Premium rooms open to terraces with hammocks
Metro-themed basement bar and rooftop bar with views
Budget-friendly cafe with bright conservatory
Cozy 24-hour lounge with Moroccan-themed decor and ping-pong table
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Away from main
tourist attractions
No food or drink
allowed in rooms
Security can be overzealous
Transformed from
an office building, the Generator Paris is a chic and funky hostel located in Paris's
hip 10th Arrondissement. The characterful property houses a whopping 916 beds arranged around small dormitories
and private rooms, all clean and contemporary -- though with sparse amenities. With
a cafe, Moroccan-themed chill-out lounge, and bars in both the basement and on the rooftop
terrace, there's no shortage of space to relax and mingle, though non-guests
will find it hard to get past security. While the location is a little far
from most tourist attractions, for stylish and funky lodgings close to Metro
and Eurostar transport links, this place is a budget-category winner.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Chic and quirky hostel-style hotel with bags of character and rooftop views
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Formerly a
derelict office block, this imposing yet gently curving property has been
reborn as the hottest hostel-cum-hotel in town. Opened February 2015, the Generator
Paris has thrown out the characterless and uniform hostel aesthetic for
something that oozes quirky chic throughout. The reception desk -- adorned with
colorful shapes and topped with vintage fairground lighting -- very much sets
the tone for this fun and funky Parisian upstart. Designer lighting (that
mellows in the evening) illuminates industrial concrete slabs and flea market
curios while each of the spaces -- from the Moroccan-inspired chill-out room to
Metro-themed underground bar -- has its own individual flavor. A set of four
elevators transport guests to one of 916 beds spread over the building's eight
floors, or to the hotel's superb rooftop bar, decked out with striped couches and a reclaimed-wood bar and offering views over the Sacre Coeur
Basilica, Montmartre district, and even distant Eiffel Tower. While the place
has its share of backpackers and young solo travelers, it also attracts couples
and families on a budget.
Location
Set on Colonel Fabien square five minutes from trendy Canal Saint-Martin district
The hotel is
located on the busy Colonel Fabien square roundabout in Paris's 10tharrondissement. While it's a bit far from most of the capital's main touristattractions, the fashionable Canal Saint-Martin district -- with its numerous
cafes, vintage shops, and art galleries -- is just five minutes away on foot.
The Gare du Nord train station and Eurostar terminal is about a 15- to 20-minute walk
away -- or about half that by taxi -- while the Colonel Fabien Metro station is
a few minutes away on foot with subway connections throughout the capital.
Rooms
Bunks with USB charging and rooms with hammock terraces
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The Generator
Paris has a mixture of accommodation, from shared dorms with between four and 10
beds to Private Twin and Double rooms to Private Quads. Decor is clean and contemporary with playful trompe
l'oeil wallpaper, smart wood floors, and minimal furnishings. Every dorm has access to a shared floor bathroom and/or an en-suite bathroom with toilet room, shower, and exterior sink area; each bunk has it its own USB port power
station and lockable drawer underneath. While even Premium Terrace Rooms are very light
on amenities -- there are no TVs, phones, or minibars -- these all open
to private terraces, each with a table, deck chairs, and hammock. En-suite bathrooms are
clean and contemporary with vintage-style white tiling, toiletries, and hairdryers, while
Premium Rooms also provide bathrobes. Despite the location, room are
generally not prone to traffic noise, though most windows only partially open.
Features
Basement and rooftop bars, bright ground-floor cafe, and entertainment
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The hotel has
plenty in the way of space for guests to eat, drink, and relax. A continental
breakfast is served (for a small fee) in the Café Fabien, which also offers a
menu of locally inspired, budget-friendly food throughout the day which can be
enjoyed in a bright conservatory overlooking an area of grass. Downstairs, the
Metro-themed bar -- which used to be the underground parking lot -- takes its style
cues from the Paris subway while Le Rooftop Bar on the rooftop terrace serves drinks with cityscape
views. The North African-style lounge also provides a relaxing space to mingle or
check emails on the free Wi-Fi. With keycard entry corridors and 24-hour guard,
there's a clear emphasis on security, though it can feel a little dogmatic,
especially enforcement of the no-food-or-drink-in-room policy. Arts and entertainment are also on offer, with the hostel regularly hosting art exhibits, DJs, and more.
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