Generator Paris

I wanted a solo weekend to recharge my introverted batteries away from the harsh winter weather of Helsinki.

I decided to spoil myself given how cheap the rooms are and went for the private terrace room. In true hostel style, I could see there had obviously been the odd party held by rowdy guests with a few bumps and stains around the place. But aside from that, the room was wonderful. Two single beds pushed into a double, a clean bathroom, comfy chairs and a balcony almost as big as the room itself. I spent plenty of time swinging in the hammock reading my book, while listening to the hum of the street below.

The highlight of the venue is the top floor terrace with views of the quintessential Parisian rooftops all the way up to the Montmartre hill with Sacré–Coeursitting at its crest. The terrace is super chill during the day and a great place to punch out some emails or just relax, but at night time, it comes alive with people enjoying drinks and generously portioned cheese and meat boards (which is definitely not how I ate when I was a backpacker, but I wish I did!). The hostel is popular amongst the younger crowd so I felt a little old compared to the rest of the clientele, but they have good soundproofing and noise restrictions, so my worries about a bunch of rowdy 18-year-olds throwing parties was totally unwarranted.

Generator Paris is a couple of blocks from Canal Saint-Martin, one of my favourite neighbourhoods of Paris. The best time of day to hang here is around sunset when locals sit along the banks of the canal playing cards, drinking wine, listening to music, reading and doing stereotypical French things…  like making out like no one else is watching.

A couple of American girls about to embark on a year-long tour around Europe.