The Generator was my first stop on whirlwind trip of Europe. It was also my last stop when the tour was over 18 days later. I had a great adventure. I saw, heard, ate, drank everything! So among the many experiences, memories, and lessons learned during my journey I concluded that staying in hostels is not recommended for women over age 30. You see, when a woman has lived a certain number of years she becomes accustomed to living and traveling a certain way. This was my first time staying at a hostel and because my trip was put together at the very last minute there wasn't much time to shop around for a hotel and coordinate meeting up with my tour group the next morning. So off I went to London a little unprepared and a little too spoiled from my past experiences at such lavish places like Motel 6 and my friend's sofa. If you are over the age of 30 and have never stayed at a hostel before, this what you need to know: You will most likely be the oldest person there. No one will understand the concept of 'being quiet because other people are sleeping'. Bring ear plugs. The hostel bar is your friend, especially at happy hour. Don't be shy, make new friends...however, 9 out 10 people you meet will be from Australia. Be prepared to have to walk down the hall to pee or take a shower. My room was equipped with a sink and mirror so I could brush my teeth in my room. Keep an eye on your things. The rooms have locks, but you may be sharing a room with 3 total strangers. I had a luggage lock to secure my things in a locker that was in my room. Bring your own towel. You can buy one at the front desk, but don't leave that towel behind if you are moving on to another hostel. (I finally learned this 3 cities and 9 euro later) Breakfast is sometimes provided, but if you're expecting bacon and eggs you're only fooling yourself. Make yourself a little sandwich to go and wrap it in a napkin. It will come in handy if you should find yourself hungry while riding the subway. Take advantage of the little perks. Not every hostel has laundry facilities, so if your socks need washing, please take care of it! The lobby area also has a wall of phone to call home if you get homesick. If you want to charge your cell phone or ipod there's a secure locker where you can take care of that too. Be a good sport. Chances are that you will have to sleep in a top bunk. The lights can go on at any moment. Wear a sleeping mask to keep things dark while your room mates come and go. If you're really that miserable, go outside...there's all of London to keep you entertained. read more

This was my first time staying at a hostel and I was very nervous about doing so. I was very pleased with the experience provided at Generator. The location is very clean and they offer all of the amenities you would need while traveling. Their drinks were a little expensive at the bar but the food was reasonably priced. I definitely recommend getting their breakfast if you stay there, it is a good deal and very convenient when traveling. This is definitely upscale compared to a normal hostel which is why the price is a little steeper than normal, but it is definitely well worth it. It's located right by Russell square and kings cross tube stations which will take you anywhere you need to go in London. At night, they had numerous security guards outside at every entrance which made me feel very safe. The only negative thing I have to say about this hostel is that they often falsely advertised events that were happening. For example they advertised a "ladies night" at the bar when in reality there wasn't one. The staff could also be a little rude at times. However, overall, I was very pleased with my stay here. I definitely recommend it for anyone wary of staying in a hostel for the first time or traveling to London. read more

This place is the SHIT!!! Both times I stayed here I made some good friends, got laid, got drunk and generally found a life. And it was cheap. Or at least relatively so. At least for the dorm beds. But that's how you make friends, staying in a dorm room. You get to know people real well. Also, I don't know if they still do this but when I was there, there was a happy hour where it was a pound a pint for Carling from 6-9. And then on Thursdays there is karaoke and to get the ball rolling they offer a free drink to the first 5 people who sing. Which I always jumped at. That way I could get shitty by 10:30 for about 7 pounds. And that my friends, is a good effing deal. It's so awesome that you should probably book in advance. I also think you get a deal if you book for a week. This is my experience from 2002 & 2004. Things have probably changed but hopefully only for the better. read more

I had fun when I was at Generator a couple of years back. Went down for a gig and didn't want to put my friends out by lodging at theirs like I usually do (I was with some friends). Stayed in one of the private dorms with two of my friends - it was a mixed gender dorm we wanted and they didn't mind. It was 50 quid for two nights (reasonable since it's in the centre of London) and perfectly adequate in terms of amenities. It was what you expect from a hostel - garish, chipping paint, comfy enough bunks and a wee sink in the corner. I hate sharing showers but it wasn't as bad as I thought. If you're staying in a hostel you expect that. What made me like this place more was the atmosphere. Clearly geared at the 20s to early 30s age group it's alive with party goers, although there are areas to get some peace if that's what you're looking for. It was self serve food where you could make your portions as generous as you wished. The bar was full of a throng of rowdy, friendly people enjoying the London nightlife and we had a blast drinking with people we didn't know. The karaoke night was great and there were heaps of ways to meet people. Booze was cheap enough, too. So in a nutshell, it's got everything you'd expect from a hostel - shared bathrooms for group dorms and a long line of people with a hangover waiting for breakfast. But what made this place excellent was the excitable group of people it attracted. It does everything to encourage travellers and revellers to get out amongst it and enjoy themselves. read more

Ah, the Generator. Cult classic and perennial fav amongst 20 something backpackers and city-tripping Brits alike, the Generator is in its own class. There are 800 beds, very often all occupied by raucous travellers and inmates or "long-termers" of questionable sanity (like one of the rooms I stayed in which had been kitted out by its resident with a personal fridge, microwave, boxes and boxes of posessions including books and a jar of change - a veritable home whose owner had a new roommate every night). Tip: Utilise the lockers to keep your stuff in if possible - if only to avoid it being pissed on by someone who is so blind he thinks its a rubbish bin (as if that makes it okay). One other tip: don't brush your teeth in the sinks in the rooms - people piss in them. This place is an old army barracks. It feels like one too. I'd say it's worth going for bragging rights and to see some quite awe-inspiring slices of humanity (although not usually the good kind of awe) - but I'm not really sure it is. Read the reviews, laugh at other people's stories - stay somewhere nicer. Really though - this place is totally central, totally decent and totally affordable. Perfect for one or two nights if you don't mind sharing a space with really drunk 20 year old Australians starting off their gap years. If you really want to experience strangers shagging in the same bunk as you or earn a signature "I fell into the Generator trap" tee, stay longer. Note - I haven't been back to the Generator since I was one of said Australians on my gap year - 5 or 6 years ago now, so maybe some things have changed. I doubt it though. read more

The most disgusting hotel i have ever been too. the service is horrible, the rooms are dirty (it looks like the don't even try). the showers are disgusting as well. read more

It was my first time using any hostel and when you're traveling on a budget, this place was pretty reasonable. Perhaps it was the cultural barrier but i thought the people at night were a bit on the ruder side. The lockers not functioning well and the hostility, was a bit overwhelming because oh the stress from traveling. Overall cleanliness of the place was okay but the showers we're a bit of a nuisance since it was so cramped and there wasnt space for anything like caddies or towel racks. The wifi was easy to connect to and pretty fast and the common room had a lot of outlets. The people was very diverse, some of them nice some of them stressed. There was a sense of security because there were so many guards around. For the price I paid, it seemed like I got what I deserved read more

First of all; I generally do not like hostels. I am much more a private person, so I do prefer hotels or small capsule-like hostels, where you do get some privacy - although the rooms are small (look at The Jane Hotel in New York. Seriously amazing. They surely do know what a boutique hostel is). I love to travel, so I have to take cheaper options sometimes - and I especially do that when visiting London. Mostly because the extreme prices on hotels. The cleanliness could be way better. I find it so almost at every hostel. Seriously, a hostel get A LOT more money per room than an average hotel, which means they should be able to clean more intensely, or at least as a normal hotel room. The design is pretty great though. No Danish design classics or high end furniture - this is a hostel - but seriously okay. Decorated urban and pretty cool. One of the things that I really dislike about this place is that everything adds up. Everything. Every single thing, you want extra or need, is at extra cost. No service. Neither smiles. Pad lock (5 pounds), adapter (6 pounds), room locker (10 pounds). Charging a small amount is okay, but this overcharging is just a pain. Especially for budget travelers. Bathrooms were generally dirty. Just very disgusting and overflowing with paper, water and sometimes something more smelly than that. No, just no. I really am a positive person normally, but this place is just not worth it. If you really do need a hostel, which I am finished with, you can try YHA. Cheaper thus much better value for money, lots of service and smiles. Think about the add-ons. I will quickly become the price of a night's stay in a 3 star hotel. read more

This is one of the cleaner London hostels I've been to. I'm not kidding either. Free wi-fi as well. The rooms get really really hot, this is england, land of no A/C. free breakfast is nice and simple. The bathrooms are okay, but sometimes they are out of order and have no hot water. As for those who comment that it was too much for them, i'm sorry, its a hostel, what do you expect? there was a group of loud screaming school children when i was there. Its budget travel, expect a big subset to be young. read more

Here's the deal, folks. If you want to go to London, have some cash, want to sleep all day and drink all night, have no interest in doing anything productive while you are there, want to share a room with random men or women depending on the night ... The Generator is the place for you. I stayed there a few years ago. My friend and I were there to work and live in London for 4 months just out of college. We thought it was temporary but due to some different opinions, ended up staying at the Generator for a month and a half. They have a nice locked room where you can store your large bags becasue they don't fit in the lockers in the room BUT anyone can go in if they have a bag there. We learned to hide our stuff under other peoples in odd and strange corners of the room to keep it safe. We stayed in a 6er. 6 people. You can't leave anything on your bed during the day except enough to show you sleep there. Lock everything up and keep your valuables on you. Pretty standard hostel stuff though. People party all night long and drink long into the night. It's kinda crappy. We were trying to get good office jobs and to get no sleep at night because of the debauchery sucked. The free breakfast wasn't bad. The showers have that push knob that slowly pulls out. Right, so you won't leave it running. You end up with one hand soaping your hair while the other holds the button down to rinse off. BRING FLIP FLOPS!! Nasty, nasty floor. In the light of day, the Generator looks old and worn and smells a little like puke. But what can you expect from a place that attracts hard partiers. You can usually get access to a phone pretty easily. When I was there, there was one on each floor and several on the main floor. Some were usually out of order. The real upside is how close this place is to the Russell Square tube stop which keeps you inside Zone 1 for the tube. Makes your tube tickets cheaper. Seriously, I recommend a night or two. Don't stay long. It kills your hopes and dreams. If you are doing an extended stay like I was, find a flat. You can find them for 60pounds per person per week. Better than the 90 something we were paying at the Generator. Life is just expensive there. Oh and by the way, not handicapped accessible. They have an elevator inside but steps up to the front door and yes, you drag your luggage up them. read more

This was the first hostel I ever stayed at. Finding this place was a bit hard, considering I was like 18 in a foreign country. All I can remember was that I was gonna be staying in some pretty shoddy places so I was preparing myself for some bad nights. This wasn't one of them. It's a hostel for godsakes. It's not a 5 star hotel. Yes, there are other hostels in and around Europe, but we're talking London here. You have to compare it to other hostels IN London. You can't hold the same standards for other hostels around the world. Regardless, I liked this place! Small bedrooms that fit like 3 bunkbeds and the bar was the happening spot. It was happy hour and we ended up with 9 pints EACH (there was 5 of us) on our table. They had free food and it wasn't like some bread, butter and water. It was full on pasta and other delicious foods, so that was a plus. Overall, I would definitely stay here again. Especially when they let you pass out in the hall in front of your room door. read more

hate hate HATEEEE Stayed here for 3 days and had a terrible experience. The whole inside looks like I would imagine a low class brothel would, with neon lights, odd painted walls, and just gross. Rooms are TINY. We got a 4 person private room and we had to stack our luggages on top of each other. There are always people out front for safety, but they were actually creepy and you could not even whisper outside of the hostel without being yelled out. Stayed in many hostels, including one in Alicante, Spain where the showers were outside, but this tops the charts. Oh and bathrooms had no hooks or anything for towel or clothes. read more

It's a hostel, and as far as hostels go, this is either scraping the bottom of the barrel or totally awesome depending on who you talk to. Rooms are cramped, damp, and sometimes dirty. Some friends of mine ended up with scabies as a result of dirty bed linens (i escaped unscathed thankfully, though honestly, I think it would be cheaper to get and be treated for scabies than to stay at most places in the city since it's expensive) The windows always seemed to be open, adding to the inescapable dampness, but whatever. The staff was helpful (one of the times I stayed there the tube when on strike and they quickly arranged cab transport for guests to either Gatwick or Heathrow) and offers lockers for your passport and other valuables. The rooms can house between 2-8 people, co ed dorm style. It's not glamourous, but it's a place to rest your head. For me, that was fine since any time I've been in London I was typically out all day and by the time I returned to the hostel I was ready to crash. One thing I liked was that the Generator was that they put a strong emphasis on travelers intermingling with their bar which is open rather late. They also had trivia nights and dance parties. ---but watch out for bedbugs read more

I'm kind of surprised by all the negative reviews, have stayed here several times and always had a comfortable, fun time. I've never stayed in the dorms, but the private rooms are nice, typical ikea with a sink in the room and comfortable bunk beds. Linens/towels were always bright white and very fresh smelling - I especially liked that there were cotton covers on the blankets that were washed between each guest. Check-in is easy and the rooms are cheap (for London and especially the convenient location.) The bar is a fun place to start or end the night, and also very economical. I've always met interesting people whenever I've gone - one time ending up in a kick-line of Australian rugby players singing loudly to "New York, New York," but I've definitely had quiet relaxed times there too. Another nice benefit is the free breakfasts - all the toast and jam, cereal, coffee, and juice you could ever want. Breakfast is not a meal I typically like to spend money on anyway, but great fuel for your day in London. read more

I came here expecting the same quality as the Generator in Berlin. Well, I was wrong. The one in Berlin was a lot better and newer. But for London, it was not bad for the price. The location is pretty good. Tesco and the Underground is not far and there are a decent amount of affordable places to eat right outside. What sucked was how some people were still freaking loud in the hallway late at night. Our room was at the end of the hall and we stayed during the coldest winter in over a hundred years, so the heater didn't warm us properly, we had to ask for a second blanket. This also meant that I got to use the outside as a refrigerator by hanging our frozen pizza in a plastic bag outside of the window. Oh yeah, free microwave. Free breakfast, cheap dinner. Free wifi. There was one female staff member who was rude in the beginning, but then alright later. Maybe she just had her monthly visitor? I'd only come here if I was on a budget... and I was! read more

Pros: clean and, for the size, decently quiet. Great central location and fair price. Con: no kitchen- what kind of hostel doesn't have a kitchen? They just had a pub and restaurant, which was good, but I didn't appreciate feeling like I was being pushed to buy their food. I stay at hostels to save money and not constantly needing to eat out, and some of my best experiences in hostels are cooking with new folks from all over the world. read more

I recently stayed at the London Generator on the middle leg of a trek across Europe. We stayed in a large mixed dorm with a shared bathroom. The hostel itself is gorgeous, with a fun, quirky design that really incorporates the London atmosphere. I would probably not return to stay in a large dorm, but I would be willing to give the private rooms a try due to the prices and location. Just don't eat the food! The Good: - The Location. Within a 10 minute walk to 3 major underground stations including King's Cross, Russell Square, and Euston, accessing all of the major attractions was a breeze. - The Fan. While there was no AC in the room, we were given a floor fan which kept the temperature tolerable in the London summer. This was an improvement over the Generator Dublin. - The Staff & Security. Everyone we talked to was friendly and helpful. Security is posted outside at night, limiting access to outsiders in the area which made me feel a lot better as a female traveler. The Bad: - The Bathrooms. The amount of heat and steam in the bathroom made it impossible to get fully dry. The hairdryer was broken, making getting dry even more difficult. Like any public toilet, the stalls were frequently clogged. However, staff were always immediately helpful once alerted to the problem. - The Food. Possibly the worst part of the London Generator was the food. We attempted to eat here twice. The first time the London Burger was so dry I was only able to eat half of it before giving up. For the second attempt I tried the Coronation Burger but ended up throwing 3/4 of it away for the same reason. read more

This was my first hostel experience. My initial reaction was that this place reminded me of a college dorm minus desks. You have bunk beds and "closet space" (aka lockers) You also have the community bathrooms and there is no alcohol allowed up in the room area. There is a recreational room where they have computers/internet access, but keep in mind that you have to pay. There is also a bar with loud music and a mini-dance floor. This place is also the meeting location of a lot of the European TOPDECK tours (which i did), so people who do these tours-- you should definitely stay here the night before to ensure that you check-in on time. After two weeks of staying in several of hostels, this place was average. It gives you a secure place to sleep and shower, so i guess it fulfills all the requirements of a hostel! read more

At all cost, please avoid. Well, unless you like waking up itchy throughout the night. This place is dirty, loud, and all around miserable. read more

This is a hostel for when you are in a country to do nothing but get rogered drunk and wake up hungover... and sometimes - that is what you want this is NOT the place to get a good night sleep this is NOT the place to be afraid of the hangover this IS the hostel with the bar you might walk across naked for a free jug of booze this IS the hostel you will meet everyone there in the first night this IS the bar you will have fun at - if you are up for it i have life long friends from this place... gold read more

Temper this review with the fact that I'm pushing 40. It was loud, teeming with teenagers, and generally chaotic. Sometimes the elevator worked. The showers on our floor were broken. So, we had to traipse up or down one flight for showers...only to find them being cleaned and told to go elsewhere. Once we got a shower, the water was cold. Not exactly what you want when you haven't slept the night before and you're already jetlagged and annoyed by the amount of noise in the place. We were on the 3rd floor and could hear the music blaring from the pub until at least 3am. No television, the only one was in the lounge and played nothing but MTV. As for the beds, the bottom bunkbeds were so low you couldn't sit up. So we sat on the floor. But there's hardly any floorspace when you have 4 people and their bags. Two electrical outlets for all, and with everyone's phones, computers, hair dryers, etc, it wasn't enough. Breakfast was cereal (when you could find a bowl) and toast. That's it. Tea, coffee, milk, and bad orange drink. When I went to use the ATM it was broken. Just...nothing was acceptable at all. I left in a horrible mood. read more

If you're traveling through Europe in the summer months and get even remotely hot while sleeping (or in general), do not stay here. There is no air conditioning in the rooms and the windows open only a few inches. Even after having the front desk provide a fan, it was still incredibly hot in the room. The common areas are really nice and include a full bar and cafe, but the bedrooms are tiny. We had a four bunk room and had to take turns getting dressed because only one person could be moving around the room at a time. The shared bathrooms are fine, and overall pretty clean. Overall a good experience, but the lack of any type of air conditioning made it very difficult to sleep. read more

Generator is quite sketchy, but I loved it as a 20 year old fresh back from living in South Africa. The people were cool, and the dorm rooms were about 20 pounds anight, which was a bit pricey, but do-able. Can't beat the central location. There's a sketchy bar where you can win at pub quiz (bragging is fun), some sketch computers, and a fantastically helpful set of employees. If you're there for a rough and tumble quick experience, it's well worth it. read more

I stayed here for three nights in July 09' on a vacation to London, Paris, and Rome. First, the hostel is in a pretty decent location a short walk to the Russell Square underground station. There are also a few eating options nearby. Second, the travelers seemed to keep to themselves or their small groups, this was surprising considering a great majority of he people staying are less than 30 yrs old. Third, the all you can eat breakfast consists of cereal and toast, that was pretty lame. It was a good time though, and I would probably stay here again. read more

My short stay here was on a random weekend in June 2011. I was participating in a Travel-Study program with my school and the program included a visit to London. The programme coordinators at Pembroke College (Cambridge University) arranged for us to stay at this luxurious hotel with many other vacationing travelers. Students in our ginormous group stayed in rooms that ranged from 4-person rooms to 10-person rooms. The rooms are unkempt, the sheets don't appear as if they have been changed and feel unsanitary. The community bathrooms are disgusting and poorly maintained. There's a club/bar downstairs whose DJ blasts NOW CD's well into the wee early morning hours. I had a roommate whose floozy sexbuddy would sleep with him in his bunk AND us in our already crowded room. I guess these well-to-do parents of UC students don't teach their little girls manners and class. My experience at the Generator London was mediocre to say the least. My stay would have been at least 3 stars had it not been for the majorly hyphy, teeny-bopper UC crowd that I was with, and the overall shabbiness of the place. Also, the rent-a-cops standing outside the place are douches. They warn you to keep a low voice outside the premises for their are hostel patrons who are resting. Why don't they tell the DJ to turn down the volume on his speakers? Some people are dumber than hell... ** The only place that beats this one in terms of quality of living and shadiness is the Rodeway Inn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. read more

Now, if you are going to complain about amenities at a hostel then you might as well stay at a hotel. I've never minded hostels. As long as there's a bed that's all I need. However, the Generator is one of the places that will forever stay in my mind for getting ripped off. A couple of years back (before the Euro) I had to spend 5 hours in London before I went to my mates place in Portsmouth. So I decided to stay at the Generator because it was cheap and it had what I needed, a bed. I went to the bar and I had $20's only in my wallet. I asked the bar tender if they took USD and he said yes. So I ordered a Heineken and give his a $20 and he gave me back 5 pounds. Now I know how to do math and a heineken cannot cost 9 pounds. No beer in a low end place can cost that much. I looked at him and he looked at me and that was the end of it. I was too tired to make a fuzz after a 9 hour train ride and an early train ride. read more

Where to start... I just came home from my visit to this so-called Hostel. The Generator is by far the worst hostel I have ever visited during all of my travels around the world. When I arrived, the room size I had ordered were all full, so I got downgraded to a larger room - receiving a "free drink" for the bother. No price reduction was received. I ended up at floor 0 - which for the time (feb/mar - 09) has NO showers, and ONE toilet to be shared by 100 visitors on this floor. No price reduction was received... My room was situated directly above the subway, which thunders "through" the room every 10 minutes, as well as right by the smoking area for the entire Generator Hostel. The noise is in general loud at all times throughout the hostel - filled with 19 years old eurotrash teens, mostly from southern europe. Do not expect to get ANY sleep until 04 AM... This hostel is not to be recommended in any way. 1 star for location read more

I stayed here March 2009 so fingers cross that this review is outdated because this place is in need of a serious facelift. How to begin: The Nice - Great location! - Fairly friendly staff - Free breakfast - Dirt cheap for the location we were in... and we felt relatively safe there The Ugly - My friend who was in my hostel room was in the bottom bunk. It's always a pleasant thing to look up and see blood stains on the mattress of the top bunk... hmm - I think I went during a fairly bad time because there was this huge highschool something group there and it was LOUD. - The bathrooms. I've done my fair shares of hostels and I've definitely won't put their bathrooms on my high list. read more

A nice but expensive hostel in London. I visited London in 2010 and I had to stay longer than expected because of the vulcanic event. In the first nights we slept in a double room but we had to change in a shared room with another girl and a GUY from australia. The hostel is not very modern and the facilities and the showers aren't the same norm as in Germany! The prices for the rooms are expensive. (Like everything in London because of the excange rate from Euro to Pounds.) If you couldn't find another accommodation in London I would suggest you the Generator Hostel, but if you have another opportunity deploy it!! :) read more

You get what you pay for! I stayed here in March of 2009 with my school for a study abroad excursion. The place was extremely cheap. The rooms were tiny. There were four of us in one room which consisted of two bunk beds, one pillow each, a sink, a safe, and maybe a closet? My suitcase took up half the room. The hallways were extremely noisy, though the security were strict and tried to control any noise or issues immediately. Besides the creepers, the Generator bar/club was fun and played good music. I do plan to travel to London in the future but I do not think hostels are my cup of tea. For how expensive everything in London is and the flight itself, this hostel is the way to go if you are on a budget! PS: do not bring a lot of bags or have someone to help you because there is only 1 elevator, so you are forced to use the stairs. read more

This was my very first hostel to start off a European backpacking trip, and I'm glad t was. It was a terrific introduction to a new backpacker due to the fun and friendly atmosphere. This was a great place to stay for the young traveler, including a bar and close distance to the tube station. The rooms were dorm style, including bunk beds. The first night my travel buddy and I stayed in a 4 bed girls room. We were lucky to have such great roommates. I would definitely stay here again. There is an internet cafe within the hostel. read more

I stayed here in the summer 2009 as a "break" from my study abroad trip in Italy. The location was great, the staff was cool, and it had a night club with karaoke inside! We were there during gay pride so we took full advantage and sang Britney Spears songs from the 90s! The dining area (with free breakfast, awesome!) was pretty big and a nice spot to meet people. Might wanna limit your time in the showers though! I look forward to staying here again when I return to London town! www.mypeacelovetravel.com read more

I stayed here Summer 2016 with my GF in a private room. The service was quick at the desk and the atmosphere was fun. We came too early so had to put our bags in lockers (about 4 pounds for 6 hours) which was fine. At 2, check-in time, we returned and our room was not yet cleaned. The cleaners were nearby and cleaned it quickly though, so it wasn't a big deal. Once inside, our room was clean, bathroom was clean. Sheets and towels provided free of charge. On the first floor, they have a nice bar/lounge area, a chill room, and a lounge/restaurant that has some decent options that aren't too outrageously priced. The staff seemed friendly enough. The atmosphere of the people was great. There was a nice mix of internationals, younger, and older crowds. I only ate/drank for dinner at the hostel once. Otherwise, we consumed all other meals out in the city so I can't speak much beyond the tasty flatbread pizza and fish and chips. Overall, I thought it was a good experience. My GF and I did a lot of sightseeing so we didn't get to mingle with many fellow hostelers. The staff was always friendly, I felt very safe about the security, the location is great (very close to everything and a nearby tube station). I would certainly stay here again as the price was right, the staff was good, the location was impeccable, and the rooms were clean and standard. read more

I've stayed at the generator a number of times when I've had weekends away in London, with varying degrees of comfort! It's not top quality, but lets face it - it's a Hostel not a Hotel! And as far as Hostels go, it's a pretty good one. I'm not overly keen on the large dorms, so if I can afford it usually opt for a private room. The private rooms are nice, usually bunk beds (I've stayed in a twin room 3 or 4 times, usually with a friend and once with my mum) and usually quite spacious, with our own sink. The bathrooms aren't great - you do have to be up early if you want a warm morning shower! But if you can wait til the afternoon there isn't usually such a problem. The breakfast is free, and as such isn't brilliant. You do get a good choice of cereal though, and can make yourself some toast ond a cuppa. I must admit I've never been down early enough to get any cooked food! The Generator is in a really great location - literally a 10 minute walk from Kings Cross Station, and even closer to Russel Square Tube Station. It's also only a few minutes walk from a really cool shopping plaza near Russel Square Station, which has a lot of great shops, and food places. It's because of the great location, cheap prices and relaxed atmosphere (as well as internet access, comfy lounge area, friendly staff, nighttime security and a place to leave your bags after you've checked out if you want to spend the day wandering London before your train) that I've givin the generator 4 stars despite the few things that aren't so great. At the price you pay, it's worth sharing bathrooms and a bit of noise (you can always take ear plugs!) read more

Hostel in a good central location. My dorm was well cleaned but I was disappointed to find out there were only common plugs in the room: the best and most modern hostel have one for each bed! Bathrooms were not always perfectly cleaned but no major issues. No buffet breakfast, it's by order. I didn't have breakfast here because I saw the first day how busy it gets in the bar and you have to wait! no thanks! read more

Worst hostel I have stayed in. They had to switch our beds the last night of our stay because they overbooked the hostel. I asked for compensation for the night and they said they couldn't do anything. DO NOT STAY HERE! Wombats is a much better hostel overall. read more

This place is disgusting. Went up to the room saw a nasty ass bunk bed and then I told them I wanted to cancel. It's good if you're in college with some buddies but otherwise stay away. read more

Stayed here in September. It was my first hostel stop in Europe, so I wasn't expecting much. 4 people were crammed into a jail cell sized room. The bathrooms didn't work on my level. We were woken up by construction workers on scaffolding right outside our window. The bar was dead and way to green. Not very impressed compared to other places I've stayed at in Europe. read more

for a hostel its great. we were there on a trip with my dad and brothers. we had a room with bunk beds. it was super for the purpose at the same time the shared bath and toilet facilities made it posible for us to get up and out the door relatively fast in the morning, instead of the logistical chaos that can sometime appear when the whole family have to get up an shower etc. the place is bare bones but nice and well maintained. the breakfast are relatively boring but its cheap and filling. there are all the relevant amenities and they make lots of events for guests and party nights in the bar read more

I give it 3 stars, for Americans finding a place that is clean and safe is really your primary concerns. We aren't to picky when it comes to sleeping quarters, as long as we can really experience the history and heritage of wherever we are staying. The pricing was excellent and the bar downstairs was inexpensive however, it closes early.... way to early!!! read more