dormitory-style rooms that have
stunning views of the city. Guests
commonly hang out at the private
bar, as well as the screening room
where they watch films. I especially
enjoyed the in-house made meals
from Gallery Hostel’s own chef,
who creates traditional Portuguese
dishes such as caldo verde and
arroz de pato.
U Hostels of Madrid, Spain, has
luxury that begins from the ground
up; it is located in a completely
renovated 19th century palace in
one of the best districts of Madrid
which has a combination of
peacefulness and nightlife –
a perfect fit for me. The modern,
pristine hostel has free WiFi, as well
as a private movie theater within
its quarters, starting at 12.50 euro
a night. And, it has custom-made
bunk beds that I found to be very
comfortable, starting from 19 euro
a night. Many of the large and
individually decorated rooms also
have city views and balconies.
Guests tend to head to U Hostels’
in-house restaurant and rooftop bar
for after-tours drinks.
Generator Hostel of Dublin, Ireland,
is located near the heart of the
city, in Smithfield Square, and is
decorated utilizing raw materials
such as exposed brick and stone,
glass, black steel and recycled
fixtures, making my Irish experience
that much more traditional.
Generator pays tribute to the
neighboring Jameson Distillery, with
its one-of-a-kind Jameson bottle
chandeliers, which I enjoyed with
drinks at the in-house bar alongside
the curated art pieces and leathertufted chesterfields. The hostel also
has a private movie theater and
café, which serves traditional Irish
breakfasts, with room fares starting
at 8.50 euro.
St. Christopher’s Inn of Paris,
France at Gare du Nord was voted
Hostelworld’s “Most Popular Hostel
in Paris” of 2015, and for good
reason. The European hostel chain’s
flagship (accommodations starting
at 32 euro a night) is centrally
located and has modern ‘POD’ beds,
which I found to be very impressive,
in addition to complimentary
breakfast and WiFi and an on-site
waterfront terrace. Belushi’s, the
private bar and restaurant which
had fantastic food and drinks in
a friendly environment, features
décor focused on traditional glam
with a contemporary twist.
Kex of Reykjavik, Iceland may have
a name that sounds a little odd;
36
Belushi’s, the private bar and
restaurant which had fantastic
food and drinks in a friendly
environment, features décor
focused on traditional glam
with a contemporary twist.
(PHOTOGRAPHY ST. CHRISTOPHER’S INNS)
BELOW
Kex accommodates its 142-max
nightly guests.
(PHOTOGRAPHY TRAVEL CHANNEL)
Gallery Hostel’s décor,
featuring local artwork,
matches the classic
elegance of the local art
culture.
(PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY HOSTEL)
ABOVE
U Hostels has
custom-made and
bunk beds that I
found to be very
comfortable,
starting from
19 euro a night.
(PHOTOGRAPHY U
HOSTELS)