Hotel
De L’Europe Amsterdam
A grand riverside hotel at Muntplein, opened in 1896, with 107 rooms and suites, a pool and spa, and several restaurants overlooking the Amstel.
Generator Amsterdam
A design-led hostel in a former university zoology building overlooking Oosterpark, with dorms, private rooms, pods, a café and two bars.
At a glance
- Type
- Design hostel
- Area
- Oost, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Official site
- staygenerator.com
Good to know
- Dorms and private rooms
- Bar
- Café and terrace
- 24-hour reception
- Bike hire
- Wheelchair accessible
Why we recommend it
Generator Amsterdam is a design-led hostel in a former zoological university building overlooking Oosterpark, in the east of the city. The conversion has kept plenty of the building's character: a former lecture hall is now a bar, known as the Auditorium, and the original boiler room in the basement has become a late-night bar. It is one of the most distinctive budget places to stay in Amsterdam, and it attracts a young, international crowd.
Accommodation ranges widely. There are shared dorms, including a women-only six-bed dorm, private four- and six-bed rooms for groups and families, twin and king rooms for couples, sleeping pods with shared bathrooms for solo travellers, and a superior suite sleeping up to six. Free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, laundry facilities, a travel shop and bike hire make it easy to settle in, and the hostel is wheelchair accessible. Parking can be reserved in advance for a daily fee.
The social spaces are a big part of the appeal. The café, with a raised outdoor terrace, serves food and coffee all day, the Auditorium bar opens daily until midnight, with times that vary around events, and the basement bar opens from Thursday to Saturday, 10pm to 2am. There is also a library lounge used for private hire, and the hostel hosts group bookings and events.
Generator suits backpackers, students, groups of friends and budget-conscious couples. Booking direct through its website brings perks such as free breakfast, a discount on food and drinks and late checkout, so compare before using a third-party site. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the bars.
Oosterpark, right in front of the hostel, is one of Amsterdam's most pleasant green spaces. The Wereldmuseum is a short walk away, as is the Dappermarkt, a lively local street market. Trams on Mauritskade and nearby Wibautstraat metro station connect quickly with the centre, and it is about 15 minutes by bike to Dam Square. The Hortus Botanicus and Artis zoo are also within walking distance. Supermarkets and cafés on the surrounding streets make it easy to keep costs down during a longer stay.
Generator Amsterdam FAQs
What was the building?
A former zoological university building overlooking Oosterpark.
What room types are there?
Dorms, women-only dorms, private rooms, sleeping pods and a superior suite.
Is there a bar?
Yes, the Auditorium bar in a former lecture hall and a basement bar open Thursday to Saturday.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the hostel lists wheelchair accessibility.
What are the perks of booking direct?
Free breakfast, a discount on food and drinks and late checkout.
Is there bike hire?
Yes, bikes can be hired at the hostel.
Is reception open all night?
Yes, reception is open 24 hours.
What is nearby?
Oosterpark, the Wereldmuseum and the Dappermarkt.