We understand the frustration and despair you face when searching for a suitable accommodation while planning for a holiday. Though it might seem like the best of both worlds can never be obtained, (you either spend a lot and stay in a luxurious hotel but scrimp throughout the entire trip or take the budget route and opt for a hostel only to be terrorized during your entire stay by a bunch of rowdy 20-something lads and lasses) life, after all, is unfair, with tough choices to make.
Surprisingly, we have the solution to this nerve-wracking decision. A mix between posh and hostel, experience the best of both worlds with a poshtel: a classier, more luxurious version of a hostel. Of course, the friendly and communal spirit and atmosphere still lingers, just without the feeling of crashing in a shared uni house on steroids.
A trend that first started in Europe, be impressed by the fascinating designs and unique architecture that embodies some poshtels. Expect the unexpected and be awed by the unknown, for these poshtels are clearly pioneering a new kind of luxury. From jail cells and circus themes to XXL rooms, discover a whole new world of living with these top 10 interesting poshtels across Europe.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 09, 2024.
1. Generator in London, UK (from USD 30)
A tranquil 3 star-accommodation in one of London’s most ideal spots, keen explorers and adventurers will be pleased to find out that anything they want to see and do in London can be reached in just minutes by the Tube (London Underground). And, after all the sightseeing and adventures, Generator will be waiting to help you unwind.
With a focus on modern design, each room is designed in such a unique manner that it will be hard to miss the aesthetics. In fact, each floor is named after an iconic British characters, from Ali G to Mary Poppins. Look forward to free Wi-Fi, comfortable and high-quality rooms, the relaxing hipster cafe (try your hand at the hand-painted piano!), the late-night bar and chill-out and cinema room. If you have nothing planned out yet, don’t fret, for the travel shop offers a complimentary guided walking tour that takes place daily.
Generator London
Address: 37 Tavistock Place, Russell Square
497.22 km (309.0 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
2. King Kong Hostel in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (from USD 37)
Trendy, chic, and located in the coolest part of Rotterdam, enjoy the contemporary and unique designs of King Kong. With a gentle touch of antique furnishings and an overall laid-back atmosphere, relish three different-styled private rooms and dorms that can sleep four, six and eight. Dorms have an en suite bathroom with rain showers, and ladies-only dorms are available too!
If you are feeling adventurous and crave making new friends, try out the The Loft - Bed in a Dormitory. With a common space decked out with retro gym accessories and “old school” photographs that revolve around a sports theme, check out the four stylish dormitories that contain single and bunk beds. Another interesting room is the Lovers Loft, which is not the biggest room in King Kong, but it is just right for two. One of the most unique spaces due to its neon lights and hipster vibes, catch a glimpse of Rotterdam’s stunning skyline from this romantic space. Other interesting highlights are the business dorms, the free Netflix movies in the basement, free lockers (but bring your own padlock), free coffee and tea from 8 am to 11 am, and free printing services.
Here’s a taste of what King Kong has to offer:
King Kong Hostel
Address: Witte De Withstraat 74
203.3 km (126.4 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
3. The Circus Berlin Mitte, Germany (from USD 214)
Reasonable pricing for a boutique hotel in a prime location.
Quirky design, rooftop bar, and helpful staff. Activities organized for guests.
Central location with easy access to public transportation. Lively neighborhood with plenty of dining and shopping options.
Delicious breakfast, excellent cocktails, and a cozy courtyard cafe. Special touches like surprise sparkling wine in the room.
Ideally located in the heart of Berlin amongst an excellent selections of bars, restaurants, clubs, museums, and sights, and with the U-Bahn just within your reach, no sight is ever too far for you at The Circus.
With an interesting and unique range of dormitories and private rooms, experience a home away from home like no other at The Circus. Laze around the comfy lounge area, designed with a vibrant and cheerful circus theme, a friendly hangout spot for you to make friends with people from all over the world. Check out the micro-brewery, where the finest selections of hand-crafted beer are brewed, the two-storey cafe, Katz & Maus, where you can come down late and still get a fine buffet breakfast, and a wide-selection of happening events to keep you on your toes! Some events include craft beer nights, live DJs, trivia evenings, and sports screenings. The private four-person apartment room and double deluxe with balcony are our top picks.
Experience The Circus here:
The Circus Hotel
Address: Rosenthalerstr. 1
477.33 km (296.6 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
4. die wohngemeinschaft in Cologne, Germany (from USD 90)
Stay in the heart of the Belgisches Viertel (the Belgian Quarter), the hippest neighborhood in Cologne. Full of boutique shops, cafes, clubs, and restaurants, there is always something to see, buy, experience, and enjoy in Belgisches Viertel’s many streets, plazas, and meeting points. Rent a bike or longboard from the hostel; sightseeing has never been this convenient.
Explore the eight different rooms, each with its own unique character and charm. Choose from different themes, with the glitz and glamour of Bollywood cinema, the austere beauty of a cabin in the woods, the adventure of a boat bed, and many more. From private rooms to dormitories, find the right spot in this unique shelter. Fascinating rooms aside, die wohngemeinschaft is also famous for its cafe / bar and theater. An intimate venue dedicated to the passionate art scene in Cologne, enjoy a diverse program of concerts, readings, plays, and films.
Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft
Address: Richard-Wagner-Str. 39
1.76 km (1.1 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
5. Celica in Ljubljana, Slovenia (from USD 31)
Affordable pricing with free breakfast and unique accommodation options.
Artistic, clean, and well-planned hostel with a unique history and cozy communal areas.
Conveniently close to the train/bus station and within walking distance of the city center and major attractions.
Delicious and varied breakfast options, with attention to sustainability and dietary preferences.
Offering a one-of-a-kind, eccentric, and lively experience, see how it feels like to be locked in an artsy jail cell with a great atmosphere and fun events planned every day of the week. Just a 10-minute walk from the old Ljubljana city center, enjoy the funky environment that surrounds this unusual hostel, for the Metelkova City area is filled with cult bars, pubs, galleries, museums, theaters, and more.
Spend the night behind bars in one of the 20 unique former prison cells. Each has a specific story and amazing tale, relish these funky, quirky, and exciting work-of-art cells. Do note that guests are assigned the cells at the moment of booking and cannot choose them according to their tastes or wishes. In the same way that prisoners were unable to choose their cells back in the day, this also provides an element of surprise for the guests. Not entirely your cup of tea? Retire to one of the hostel’s more traditional 4-, 5-, 7- and 12-bed dorms with unique and artistic elements.
Read more here: Hostel Celica
Hostel Celica
Address: Metelkova 8
777.17 km (483.0 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
6. Sant Jordi Hostels - Rock Palace in Barcelona, Spain (from USD 90)
Dedicated to rock music from all ages, this designer hostel in downtown Barcelona is fully equipped with all the modern facilities to give you an enjoyable stay. It’s in an ideal central location with a lively fun atmosphere and world-famous services; we are talking a roof-top swimming pool, a famous bar and club, themed common areas, a guitar collection, Wi-Fi everywhere, guest computers up the wazoo, sound-proofed rooms designed for optimal hostel comfort, and a huge guest kitchen.
Music fans will be pleased to find out that all common areas radiate a rock-and-roll vibe and are designed after different bars and clubs that have influenced the evolution of modern music. Choose from en suite dormitories, non-en suite private rooms, and many more. All rooms include large lockers designed to fit big backpacks and each bunk bed has an individual reading lamp, storage cubby, and outlet for charging electrical devices.
Experience life in the Sant Jordi Hostels - Rock Palace below:
Sant Jordi Hostels Rock Palace
Address: Calle Balmes 75
1123.82 km (698.4 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
7. Ecomama in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (from USD 87)
A boutique hostel with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and delightfully creative designs, indulge in this creative oasis of comfort and style, for luxury has never been better. It also has such a cozy community.
Take your pick from the generous choice of rooms; apart from the basic dormitories and private rooms, opt for something more unique and fresh, like the shabby cabin (you can choose between single beds or a double bed, with a maximum of two people per cabin) or the family room. The whole family can enjoy some family bonding in this quirky and cozy haven. All rooms are individually decorated with lots of raw concrete and colored tiles. Some rooms even offer a canal view. Other facilities include a movie lounge, fully equipped kitchen, an in-house coffee bar, and bike rental services.
Ecomama
Address: Valkenburgerstraat 124
212.72 km (132.2 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
8. Ostello Bello Grande in Milan, Italy (from USD 57)
Reasonable pricing for a hostel, with free welcome drink and breakfast included.
Vibrant communal spaces, rooftop terrace, 24-hour bar, and a variety of activities and events.
Conveniently located next to Milano Centrale station, making it ideal for day trips and easy access to transportation.
Generous breakfast, free pasta and veggies in the kitchen, and a lively bar with a good selection of food and drinks.
One of Italy’s most famous and exciting properties, Ostello Bello Grande welcomes you to a fantastic location. Just 100 meters from the Central Train Station, enjoy airport shuttles to Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo airport, the green and yellow subway lines, buses, trams and, of course, trains to all Italian cities.
Despite being pricier compared to other hostels, Ostello Bello Grande has many free offers regarding amenities and services. Enjoy free Wi-Fi of 100mb in all rooms and common areas, free flowing breakfast (cereals, muesli, fresh fruits, eggs etc.) anytime you wake up, a 24/7 free flow of coffee and tea, free dinner at the typical Italian Aperitivo from 7 pm to 9 pm, a 24-hour guests’ kitchen with free food, free city tours and guides, and free locks and lockers. Choose from the spacious and comfortable private rooms or dormitories; there is a place for everyone at Ostello Bello Grande. Guests looking for a quiet and peaceful atmosphere can head up to the beautiful 6th-floor rooftop, while guests looking for a chance to mingle can head over to the bar for some drinks.
Ostello Bello Milano Centrale
Address: Via Roberto Lepetit 33
629.15 km (391.0 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
9. Franz Ferdinand Hostel in Sarajevo, Bosnia (from USD 12)
One of the first and only boutique hostels in the center of Sarajevo, enjoy this charming building that was constructed in the Austro-Hungarian period by a bunch of talented architects and designers. Find out more about the events of the First World War through the intricate architecture, stunning paintings, and unique ambiance in this budget-friendly but comfortable historic hostel.
Each room in the hostel is authentic and extremely cozy. Take your pick from our top favorites: the Franz Ferdinand Room, the Sophie Chotek Room, the Young Bosnia Room, or the assassin Gavrilo Princip Room. If you are a couple on holiday, try out the romantic Sophie and Franz Room. Enjoy 24/7 free coffee and tea, weekly indoor parties, free luggage storage, and free walking tours! History will never be the same again after staying at historic Franz Ferdinand Hostel!
Read more here: Franz Ferdinand
Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect:
Hostel Franz Ferdinand
Address: Jelica 4
1165.92 km (724.5 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
10. Sir Toby’s in Prague, Czech Republic (from USD 18)
Affordable with good value for money, especially for solo travelers.
Spacious rooms, comfortable beds, bar, garden, and basement lounge for socializing.
Conveniently located near tram stations, supermarkets, and restaurants, with easy access to city center attractions.
Varied and delicious breakfast buffet, with a cozy bar offering affordable drinks.
Located in the neighborhood of Holesovice, an area full of interesting markets, restaurants, and clubs, Sir Toby’s is the ultimate choice for any keen explorer interested in Prague. Besides being strategically located near all the best attractions and amenities, the staff at Sir Toby’s are extremely friendly and helpful when it comes to giving directions, recommendations, and basically any other information about Prague.
Authentic and filled with lively character, reside in this cozy abode away from home as you choose from mixed dormitories, small dormitories, private rooms, and twin rooms. Each room is unique and comfortably fitted with crisp linens, big fluffy pillows, and a vintage charm. When not exploring the alluring Prague city, feel free to make yourself at home in Sir Toby’s cozy and inviting spaces. Enjoy the brick cellar pub, or attend some workshops (beer tasting and crepe making) to make new friends from around the world. Sir Toby’s also offers laundry services, free spices and tea in the guest kitchen, board games, plenty of books if you feel like reading, and a garden BBQ if the weather cooperates!
Have a taste of home at Sir Toby’s:
Sir Toby's Hostel
Address: Delnicka 24
537.39 km (334.0 mi) from Cologne Cathedral
Enter the perfect world of poshtels
We hope you have a greater idea of what poshtels are and how many options are already out there all around the world. A perfect combination of budget friendliness, luxurious living, and cozy communal interactions, who could ask for more when almost all the boxes for the best accommodation have been ticked? Forget hotels or other vacation rentals, for we know the poshtel will be one to reign.
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