august2014
47
03
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THE INDEPENDENTEHOSTEL
&SUITES
LISBON
Lisbon is theworldcapital of luxehostels, and this
venture, in thehipBarrioAlto, isarguably thebest
of themall. Theelegant 19th-centurymansion–
formerly theSwissambassador’s residence–houses
11 spaciousdorms, four privatesuiteswithbalconies
overlooking theTagus, and theseriouslyhappening
Decadente restaurant.
RuadeSãoPedrodeAlcântara81, +35 (0)1 21
346 1381, theindependente.pt, dorms from€11/
suites from€70
04
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PLUSHOSTEL
BERLIN
Inacityblessedwithover-achievinghostels, this
sizeableoutpost of aEuropeanchainstill standsout
from thecompetition. Itsplusesarewell known to
hostel habitués: an indoor pool andsauna, Germanic
cleaning regime, freeyogaclassesandagreat location
astone’s throw from theclubbingaction.
Warschauer Platz6, +49 (0)3021238501,
plushostels.com, dorms fromaround€11/private
doubles fromaround€40
05
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OSTELLOBELLO
MILAN
Step into this travellers’ hub, ashort hop from
theDuomo, andyou’re immediatelyoffered
awelcomedrink. Theperksdon’t stop there:
fromampleMediterraneanbreakfastsavailable
at all hours, to terraceswithhammocksand free
cultural events, it ticksall theboxesand thensome.
Commonareasarestockedwitharcadegames,
instrumentsandbooks.
ViaMedici 4, +390236582720, ostellobello.
com, dorms from€28/doubles from€80
06
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POD39
NEWYORK
Thesuperior of the twoNYCPodsoffers (very)
small but perfectly formedsingles, doublesand
bunkpods. Like itssister venture, it benefits from
rainshowersandsuperior bedsequippedwith flat-
screenTVs, but improvementshere includeprivate
bathroom facilities throughout, a rooftopbar and
a taqueriawithamenuco-createdbyMichelin-starred
chef April Bloomfield.
145E39thStreet, +1 2128655700,
thepodhotel.com, rooms fromaround€100
07
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GALLERYHOSTEL
PORTO
Designhostelmeetsart galleryat thisdowntownPorto
gem,whichhostsbi-monthlyexhibitionsof local artists.
Thespectacular common rooms includeaprivate
barwithagreat port list, a libraryanda livingarea/
karaoke room. Private roomswithbalconies
overlooking thecityand freewalking toursof the
local art district roundout itscharms.
RuadeMiguel Bombarda222, +351 224964
313, gallery-hostel.com, dorms from€20/doubles
from€60
08
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MEININGERHOTEL
BRUSSELS
This redbrickex-brewery runbyaGermanchain is
ashortwalk fromRueAntoineDansaert’sedgyshops.
Nowcarbon-neutral anda temple to industrial chic,
it offers 150 three-star standard roomsdeckedout
inneutral shadeswith theoddsplashof acidyellow.
Strongshowers, andabuzzingopen-plan lobby (check
out theHäagen-Dazsvendingmachine) seal thedeal.
Quai duHainaut 33, +32 (0)25881474,
meininger-hotels.com, dorms fromaround€15/
doubles fromaround€40
HOTHOSTELS
brusslesairlinesfliestomorethan50europeandestinations.
brusselsairlines.com
