august2014
46
iscerning travellersarealready familiarwithsleek, low-cost
boutiquehotels like thePhilippeStarck-designedMamaShelter
chain inFrance,NewYork’sJaneHotel, and thepre-fabCitizenM
group. But the latest phenomenon in the travel world–unique,
high-impact designer hostels, extending thesamestylishdigs to
thoseonashoestring–wouldstartleeven themost jadedamong
them.While thewordhostel onceconnotedGermanmatronsdoling
out blankets, aqueue for communal bathroom facilitiesanddepressing, prison-
likedorms, these ‘haute’ or ‘designer’ hostelscomewithprivatesuites, rooftop
jacuzzis, galleriesandevenswimmingpools. For asenseof thedécor, just look
atGenerator’snewBarcelonaHQ (
previouspage
): all flamboyant light fixturesand
objetsd’art
, it puts five-star hotels in theshade.
Unsurprisingly, it’snot just the
Jugend
whoare falling for thehautehostel’s
charms. Just as the recessionenableddevelopers tosnapupcity-centreplotsand
deck themout instyle for lowoverheads, it alsocreatedanewcategoryofmatureor
familybackpackers. Cannyhostel ownershavebeenkeen toattract thisclienteleby
expanding their amenities, and the results–boutiqueamenities for budget rates–
makehostelsanattractiveoption for everyone.
So far it’sPortugal –home to theLisbonLounge, arguablyWesternEurope’s first
hautehostel – that iscurrently leading themarch; thecountry tends tocarryoff the
lion’sshareof ‘Hoscars’, awardedby thebookingsiteHostelworld, eachyear. But,
asevidencedbyour guide, it’snowviable tobunkdown instyle right acrossEurope–
thebunk, inmost cases, beingoptional.
01
/
GENERATOR
BARCELONA
Generator’snew flagship, occupyinga 1960soffice
building in theGràcianeighbourhood, isadazzling
showcase for thechain’sambitions. From thehigh
ceilingsadornedwithhanging lanterns, to theornate
Hungarian tiles in the lobby, featurestaircaseand
glassmezzanine, local artistsandarchitectshave
createda real tapestryof styles. All roomsare
en-suite, somewith terraces.
Carrer deCòrsega373-377, +349322003 77,
generatorhostels.com, dorms from€18/private
rooms from€24.50
02
/
SUPERBUDE
HAMBURG
Superbude’ssecondHamburgoutpost, ina former
telephoneexchange, featuresaward-winningdesign
touches: besides thestackablebedsbyRolfHeide,
enablinga thirdof the89double rooms tosleep four
guests, there’sevenaRockStarSuitewitha flip-up
stage. TheSchanzenviertal district is in the throesof
gentrification, soexpect buzzingbarson thedoorstep.
Juliusstrasse 1-7, +49408079 15820,
superbude.de, doubles from€60
