Forget the old dumps with bunk beds, promiscuous environments and shared bathrooms. Hostels are not as they used to be and now they have become chic environments, areas with very scrupulous architecture and impeccable guest services.
Designer hostels are the new trend of hospitality scattered throughout Europe and characterised by refined and original furnishings, young staff and comfortable surroundings, however, they maintain an informal atmosphere and affordable prices, typical of hostels. So much so that a new term was coined, LSD (no, it doesn’t have anything to do with the hallucinogenic drug) which indicates "Low-cost Stylish Destinations". Let's discover some of the coolest:
The hostel that can’t be missed - Das DDR-Hostel in Berlin, a thematic hostel that brings the typical atmosphere of the GDR to life with graphic and industrial design from East Germany from the 70s up to the fall of the wall for its guests for less than 20 euro per night.
Vintage and industrial design meet in Lisbon, at the Oasis Backpackers Hostel, which offers a very high average rating among its guests. The reason is obvious: from the walls decorated in a 70s-optical style to the furnishings beautifully detailed, from its strategic location in the heart of Lisbon to affordable prices for everyone (17 euro per bed), this hostel will not disappoint. There are lots of activities inside the city, including parties, guided tours, language courses and gourmet dinners. You also can’t forget the Free Fado Night dedicated to the typical music of Lisbon, poignant enough to be known as "The Blues of Portugal".
If you find yourself in Bulgaria, you cannot miss Sofia’s Art Hostel, very economical yet evocative and rich in works of art. The common room is home to contemporary art exhibitions to promote the work of young Bulgarian artists, and every weekend the atmosphere is enlivened, and if needed, exclusive parties and DJ sets until morning.
We can’t forget about Italy, where the chain of Generator Hostels has opened a new office in Rome only a few days ago, in the Esquilino district. Its interior is characterised by a modern and quirky design, 75 rooms, including private and shared rooms and seven floors with a café, bar and a lounge for relaxing. It is a buzzing district, with the soul of a contemporary and cosmopolitan capital. The Generator chain has a total of 12 locations including Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, London and Venice.