Two years ago I attended a travel writer/blogger conference in Dublin.  At the time, I heard about this new type of boutique hostel, Generator Hostels.  The Dublin hostel, interestingly located in the same complex as the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, was full of attendees who all spoke highly of the new hostel.  But wasn’t this a hostel?  Basic dorm rooms stuffed with party people and interesting stories?  The website promises so much more as they offer nine design hostels telling you to “stay with them if  you are sociable, travel is your way of life and you want more than a hostel”.  Intriguing concept although isn’t “more than a hostel” a hotel?

So spring forward to now, 2015, and I’m searching for lodging in Venice, Italy for a date in May. As all Starwood hotels are uber expensive (think over €400 a night!) and there are no point awards available, I’m using my backup plan of AirBnB and thought, hey what about that boutique hostel – Generator Venice hostel?  This would be a great time to try that out so I can save money and see what a boutique hostel looks and feels like.  Would Venice be a party place or more sedate?  I wondered if it truly was full of kids on gap years or were there old people (their parents age) like me there too?  So I went to the pretty  website and read about the conversion of the Venice property from a grain house with design details like mosaic flooring, textile curtains and a Murano glass chandelier (of a clown!).  I was impressed that the photos on the website were hitting all my cool designer notes for a boutique property.

As I can barely share a room with a family member or friend, the thought of six or a dozen roommates in dorm beds is too much for me so I looked at the private room option.  Lured by the pretty twin room pictures with private bath, starting at €45 (wow, hostels really are cheaper and decorated nicely!), I happily entered the details into the booking engine.

The private room was available for one night and showed the rate of €90.  That’s a great price for Venice in May for a private room so I got my credit card out ready to go.  I clicked the arrow and scrolled down to 1 person occupancy and the page refreshed –  the rate changed to €180!!!!

 The €90 rate was the per person rate for the room for that night based on two sharing, not double the €45 starting rate. It was easy to be confused as my search was for 1 so why would I question the rate returned?  Why did I then need to add 1 again (drop down box options are 0 and 1). I know that Venice isn’t cheap, however, I can honestly say I was surprised and disappointed that I wasn’t able to join the cool kids at the trendy boutique hostel.  I ended up booking my first AirBnb flat which is quite massive in comparison and overlooks the canal for much less than the hostel.

So I guess my question is who stays in the hostel private rooms at this price?  The fact that I was willing to try it, given my last stay was at the 5 star Westin Europa & Regina with a canal view (on points), really says a lot about how my perception of the hostel world has changed. Seduced by design is my excuse. Am I wrong to think that this is too expensive (even in Venice) for a private room at Generator Venice hostel or any hostel? Would you pay this?