Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort and quality. Especially now with the rise in high-end and carefully-designed hostels that offer boutique-style lodging at low prices. From industrial chic in Sweden to retro-glam in Barcelona, we’ve selected four stylish properties that could easily be mistaken for fancy hotels.
Casa Gracia | Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s Casa Gracia is located in one of the city’s chicest neighbourhoods. Image by Hostelworld
Casa Graca is right in the heart of Barcelona, close to Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batlló and the shopping district of Passeig de Gràcia. It’s a modern hostel with the soul of a boutique hotel. Inside, there’s a communal living space with free WiFi, a fully-equipped kitchen with 24-hour coffee and a cocktail bar with a resident DJ. Outside there’s a large terrace where you can sit with a glass of wine and enjoy sprawling views of the city. You might recognise the hostel from the Hostelworld’s TV ad with Mariah Carey, which saw the pop icon check into one of Casa Gracia’s private rooms. Dorm beds are available from £15 (€17/US$19) per night and double private rooms with en-suite from £70 (€80/US$90) per night.
Generator Sweden | Stockholm, Sweden
The Generator Sweden is a design-friendly hostel in the heart of Stockholm. Image by Generator Sweden
The Generator can be found in almost every major city across Europe from Venice to Copenhagen, Dublin and Berlin. The Swedish version is located in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm. The interiors were designed by Swedish architects Tengbomb and were inspired by the Swedish abstract painter Hilma af Klint, reflecting her love of vibrant colour. The hostel also boasts a restaurant named after the prolific painter. As well as comfortable and spacious rooms, the hostel has a screening room and a walk-in safe transformed into a tattoo parlour. Dorm beds from £26 (€29/US$33) per night and double private rooms with en-suite from £75 (€86/US$96) per night.
Wallyard Concept Hostel | Berlin, Germany
The Wallyard Concept Hostel in Berlin is one of the new crop of stylish hostels. Image by Hostelworld
An achingly hip hostel located in the centre of Berlin in the Mitte district, this barely three-years-old hostel is the stuff of dreams for flashpackers. It represents what travellers love about Berlin: eccentric and forward-thinking with a touch of stripped-back cool. There’s a shared lounge, terrace and a black and white tiled bar with exposed light-bulbs, leafy plants and a resident DJ. Each dormitory and room has its own seating area so that communal areas don’t get too crowded. It’s ideally located with Central Station only one bus stop away. The Government Quarter, the Zoo, Friedrichstraße and Kreuzberg are also close by and an express bus takes you to right to Airport Tegel. Dorm beds from £15 (€17/US$19) per night and twin private rooms from £57 (€65/US$73) per night.
Sophie’s Hostel | Prague, Czech Republic
This charming hostel is located on a quiet street in Prague’s New Town, right across the road from its sister hotel (Miss Sophie’s Hotel) – although it would be hard to tell the two apart. The hostel version is every bit as pretty as its big sister with a range of budget-friendly services such as free WiFi, a communal kitchen and free luggage storage. The hostel offers chic dorms, private rooms and apartments with oak-veneer floors and minimalist decor. Dorm rooms from £9 (€10/US$12) per night and double rooms from £24 (€27.45/US$31) in low season.
All hostels come with top ratings through reviews on Hostelworld. To see more or to book a room, click here.
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