Oosterpark / Oost

Generator Amsterdam

★★★★★

Generator Amsterdam is the best answer to the hardest question in this city: where to stay well without spending a fortune. It occupies a handsome early-twentieth-century building on the edge of the Oosterpark in the eastern part of the city, built for the University of Amsterdam's zoology department, and the conversion has kept much of its academic character, with high ceilings, wood panelling, tall windows and quirky details that hint at the building's scientific past. The hostel offers a mix of shared dorms and private rooms, including twins, doubles and family-friendly rooms for three or four, with private bathrooms in the private rooms; many look over the park. The social spaces are the highlight. Nescio's Auditorium Bar, set in one of the building's former lecture halls, is a lively spot for a drink and a game; Nescio Cafe serves breakfast and simple meals from a raised veranda terrace overlooking the Oosterpark; and Oosterbar in the basement opens late at weekends. The park itself is one of Amsterdam's most attractive neighbourhood parks, with ponds, wide lawns and a relaxed local scene. The area is residential and multicultural, close to the Dappermarkt, a popular neighbourhood street market, and to the cafés and restaurants of the Oost district. Trams to the centre and the Museum Quarter stop nearby, and Artis zoo, the Tropenmuseum and the Plantage district are within walking distance. Rates are among the most affordable for a well-run, central-enough base in Amsterdam, with private rooms at a fraction of the price of canal hotels and dorm beds cheaper still.

Who it suits: solo travellers, students, groups of friends and budget-minded couples, who will appreciate the style, the social atmosphere and the price. Families on a budget can book a private family room with its own bathroom, which is often much cheaper than a hotel room in the centre. It is less suited to travellers who want luxury, quiet evenings or a canal-side address; the bar can be lively, especially at weekends.

Living in it: choose a private room if you want sleep and privacy, or a dorm if you want to meet other travellers. Lockers are available in the dorms, and bringing a padlock is wise. Rooms are simple and clean, and the park-view rooms are the most pleasant. The bar and café make it easy to stay in for the evening, but the Oost district has good neighbourhood restaurants and bars of its own. Bikes are an easy way to get around, and the Oosterpark itself is a pleasant place for a morning run or a picnic.

Value: dorm beds and private rooms here are among the most affordable well-run options in Amsterdam, though prices rise in summer and at weekends and around big events, and the city's tourist tax, a percentage of the room rate, still applies. The value case is a stylish historic building, a park setting and a sociable atmosphere for a fraction of central hotel prices. Book it for a budget trip, a group of friends or a family on a tight budget who still want a memorable place to sleep.