I loved the location and the facilities in general. I stayed in a 4-bed female-only room, and it was quite good. The bathroom was clean and pretty.

I didn't like that the hotel/hostel doesn't have a kitchen, so in that sense, it works more like a hotel but with a hostel-style bedroom sharing. Being able to cook or have somewhere to leave your room (e.g., a fridge) would be helpful.

Location

AC not working during my stay

With a hostel I think the experience always largely depends on the people you share your room with. However, insofar as it's possible for the hostel to make your stay enjoyable, I think Generator did everything possible. The AC was perfect, the mattresses were super comfortable, the bunk beds were equipped with all amenities necessary to make it comfortable (plug sockets, night light and a curtain). The bathroom was super clean and modern. The gym was small but sufficient. It truly felt more like a hotel than a hostel. And the neighbourhood was also lovely, up the hill there are a lot of restaurants and it's only a 10-15 minute bike ride downhill to DC's tourist highlights!

Hotel and restaurant staff were friendly, the restaurant at the hotel had good options and great prices. They had a live band playing Saturday night - that was awesome! I liked the hallway decor, and the room was adorable! I loved the funkiness of it. I had a GREAT view of the Washington Monument - I loved keeping my curtains open night/day so I could enjoy the view. It was a great room, I had an excellent stay. I will happily book a room here again when I return to DC.

There was a water pipe or water heater issue during my stay. When I woke up the morning I was to checkout, there was no water pressure in the shower. I called the front desk and they informed me a pipe had burst. I understand things happen, but a colleague I ran into on the elevator told me he had a note under his door the night before informing him there wouldn't be any water the next morning so he'd showered the night before. I didn't receive a note so didn't know to shower in advance. That is my only :( about my stay.

Everything - room size, view, convenience of coffee shop and restaurant downstairs, outdoor patio. Will definitely be staying here next time I'm in DC.

I didn't like that the Mexican Restaurant downstairs automatically added an 18% gratuity when you order food (you have to order and pay for food at the bar before you sit down) - and when presented with the payment keypad, it asks for tip. I feel like they should present people with the receipt when they order and pay for food so you can see the gratuity had already been added. The receipt (order total on a tablet) was only offered to me when I specifically asked why the total didn't synch with what I ordered. Not sure if automatically adding gratuity is a DC law or just this establishment.

With a budget of $40–50 per night for a shared room in a location like this in DC, I received more than I expected. Although it's a shared room, the lobby and common areas are spacious and welcoming — with work desks, a cozy spot to enjoy a drink or meal, and a chance to meet fellow travelers like myself. Close to metro and bus station. There’s also a small pool, a garden area, a compact gym on the second floor, and even a laundry room. I found it very suitable for budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind sharing a room. My roommates were friendly and respectful, which made the stay pleasant. That said, since it’s a shared space, it might not be ideal for light sleepers — especially if someone returns late at night. But overall, I think it’s a great choice for the price!

This was great. Room clean, bed and bedding very comfortable, temperature good, and the people nice. I also enjoyed the fitness centre, which helped a lot!

The cleaners tend to just come in without knocking. One lady came in and ranted at me for accidentally placing an item of clothing on an unused bed whilst I was packing my belongings for the following day's flight. This was unnecessary and made me worry a great deal that she may report me or something. Therefore, I went down to reception to clarify that it was an honest mistake. They were very cool about it and assured me not to be concerned.

I had a pleasant stay at this clean and well-maintained hostel. The room and bathroom were spotless, which made a big difference in comfort. I especially appreciated the fact that there were only four beds in the room — it helps reduce the chances of noisy roommates, though that can still be a bit of a gamble, of course. One of the highlights was the spacious common area on the first floor. It was a great place to relax, work, or socialize, and really added to the overall atmosphere of the place. The location is another strong point — close to plenty of amenities and well-connected to public transportation, making it easy to get around. Overall, a solid choice for a short stay, especially if you're looking for a quieter dorm experience and a clean, comfortable environment.

while the small café/bakery at reception is a nice touch, the prices felt high given the hostel setting. A more affordable offering would better match the budget traveler vibe.

Took a gamble on The Generator and it really, really paid off! While parking was expensive, it was super secure in the middle of a busy area, with very easy in & out and no having to deal with valet. I had a lot of luggage with me and going from my car to the elevator and up to my room with everything directly from the parking area was a breeze. I can’t speak on the dormitory style Rooms - wouldn’t even know they existed if I hadn’t read about it prior, honestly - but my single superior king room was perfect for my purposes (traveling solo for work) but would also be great for a couple. I was on the 9th floor and the big windows were so beautiful and allowed for so much natural light in the day….was surprised to find the little window at the bottom opened up, too, to let in some fresh air!!

I had 2 minor qualms my whole trip and it’s nothing that would ever deter me from staying again, personally. 1) Yank the carpets and put in some laminate flooring. Hotel room carpet just creeps me out and while it might give cozy vibes I can’t help but cringe thinking of all the smelly feet (etc) that have traversed that floor. 2) The hallways had to have been like 138° F. My room got a bit hot in the afternoon if I didn’t have the thermostat turned down to 60 - 65° F or so, but never unbearably so. But the hallways!?! A sauna.

The room was beautiful, I was on the top floor with the view on the downtown, it was really nice to see the sunset and sunrise from the bed. The bed was comfortable and big, the bathroom was good, enough space. The location was good but to go to downtown you need a bus and they are never on time.

The staff was really not friendly, not helpful. I would have appreciated a breakfast that does not cost an arm and with better quality. I had to go to the 7-eleven… I would also have appreciated a kettle. The ventilation was very noisy, I could never sleep well and without waking up because of the noise of the ventilation.