This year, I decided to celebrate Christmas quite differently, by not celebrating Christmas at all- or, at least not in the traditional form of what we think of celebration. From the convenience of a local dorm bed, I decided to shop all the Christmas gifts from EBAY, feeling a sense of accomplishment, in three ways: 1. Unique gifts sent directly to the door of my loved ones (translation: bypassing the utterly ridiculous line at the Post Office) 2. Supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in India, China and Japan. 3. Saving a bundle of money, so I could put into the budget the opportunity to observe and participate in what I find the most intriguing, trending lifestyle of the this era: hostelling! (a word, by the way, of which I invented...let’s get that into the dictionary by 2016)
After clicking the computer keys to end the final Christmas sale, the keystrokes began to sound a little different, as the fingers swept across the board in swift manner while typing: www.booking.com, www.hostelworld.com, and www.hostelbookers.com, followed by inserting the word “Berlin”- only to see the names of hostels, and even more exciting, the prices which Google search could come up with. In a matter of the count of three, two, one, the first stop was booked...Generator Hostel Prenzlauer Berg, here I come!
I have had the opportunity to stay at the East Berlin Generator Hostel once before, and due to the price of 7,00 Euros, I couldn’t resist to book a few nights there again! It also gave me a perfect opportunity to refresh my memory of the place. The East Berlin Generator is one of the older hostels in the Generator chain of lodging, which the design also reflects, as their newer hostels seem to become fancier one hostel at the time. Despite the simplicity of the rooms, (a look which reminds me of a college dorm more than a boutique hostel), the satisfactory level of quality of the service and cleanliness remains the same as their newer hostels.
It is also a hostel which is located a little further out from the heart of the city, but the train “ringbahn” stops only minutes from the door, thereby making it possible to get to anywhere in Berlin in a matter of minutes and without the worries of having to figure out how to find the way around on the transit system; furthermore, as an added service, the hostel also provides a guide whom will, on a daily basis, lead anyone safely unto the transit system, with the final destination being the meeting point at the Brandenburg Gate, for the free walking tours.
So, if you have more time than money, this is the hostel for you, as the price for one night usually runs below the price at the Generator Mitte, Berlin, or any other Berlin hostel for that matter.
As mentioned before, the Generator hostels have a tendency to fluxuate; in other word, there is no way of predicting the price from one day to the other. In my case, for instance, I found the prices for a bed in a 12 persons dorm to fall from 9 Euros to seven Euros in less than 24 hours, which, of course, lead to the same sensation of striking jackpot...only to see the price for the same bed rise from 7 Euros on the 30th of December to no less than 44 Euros on the 31st of December! Nein, ich kann nicht zahlen 44 Euros this time around,Generator...so, the New Year’s fireworks would have to be viewed elsewhere in Europe.
Time to rate:
- Was the location appropriate: If you don't mind staying in a location a few minutes away from where everything is happening, then this location for you; besides, inside a Generator hostel, it is always happening (if you know what I mean!)
- Overall hostel level: A definitely "fit-for-all-hostel-bookers" ; as a larger hostel, it caters to everyone.
- Would I let my children stay at this ho(s)tel: Of course!!
- Would I bring my mother...: I would have to say yes! The fact that there is a Park Hotel right next to the hostel makes it easy to separate "picky" family members by booking them into a traditional hotel less than one minute away...just in case the hostel environment is too trendy for them. Voila! Hostelling vs. traditional hotel lodging issues within a travelling family with generational gaps solved!!
- Would I recommend the hostel to my neighbour: Absolutely, especially if it means that they will take a trip to a city which everyone should have an opportunity to see once in a lifetime!
- Low-points of the hostel: The internet connection is more or less non-existent in the dorms...and sometimes non-existent in the lounge area...which presents an awkward situation where everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) huddles around in the lobby in order to frantically attempting to connect iPhones, Chromebooks, Samsung's, iPads, Dell computers (and any other devices used to enter cyberspace) to the "da-fix" connection...seems as if the Generator's "da-fix" connection needs a little fixin' (if you know what I mean)
- High-lights of the hostel: The very inexpensive but hearty breakfast buffet which will give you all the right calories needed before venturing off for hours of adventurous walking tours within the city!
- For s(he) whom has tried everything in life, I would recommend: For such a person who wants to experience what it is like to take a whole family on a vacation in the trending hostel fashion,only to feel the sensation of absolute surprise by how many museums one can visit, how many tour guides one can tip, and how well one can dine due to the fact that hostel lodging doesn't gobble up all your money, as opposed to traditional hotel lodging, then yes...check your whole family inn for three days at the Generator hostel, East Berlin, and watch to your astonishment how lavish a vacation can be in form of cultural experience, without spending a whole lot of money.
For more information about the Generator Hostel, East Berlin, follow this link: http://generatorhostels.com/en/destinations/berlin/prenzlauer-berg/
Sincerely,
TheGreatDane
(Barking about Berlin...from Prague)
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