a&o Hostels opens first London hotel in former DoubleTree by Hilton

a&o Hostels, Europe's largest private provider of budget accommodation, announces the acquisition of the former DoubleTree by Hilton Docklands Riverside. With this, the chain will open its first London location and third property in the UK. The new a&o London Docklands Riverside will operate as a hotel, demonstrating the group's continued growth within the hotel sector. The opening is scheduled for November, but reservations are already open through the official a&o channels.

A historic location on the Thames

Located on the Thames, the former 17th-century port building has its own jetty. Guests can use a free electric water taxi to Canary Wharf, provided by a&o Hostels - from where icons such as Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are easily accessible. Metro connections from Canary Wharf also provide quick and convenient access to the rest of the city. With 500 rooms and 2,100 beds, the new a&o London Docklands Riverside will undergo a phased refurbishment, with £21 million (around €25 million) being invested. During the works, the venue will remain open to guests. The parties made no announcements about the purchase price.

London is one of the world's leading commercial, financial and cultural centres, with an abundance of attractions such as the Tower of London and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Westminster Palace. The acquisition marks an important step in the group's strategic growth, with London the third destination in the UK, alongside Edinburgh and Brighton.

A major milestone for a&o Hostels

Founder and CEO Oliver Winter of a&o Hostels said of the announcement: "London is simply a city you must experience. Here you will find a rich history, an enormous energy and an international character that you rarely find anywhere else. The opening of our first location here is an important moment for a&o. London was at the top of our list because we want to offer affordable accommodation to young people, families, groups and solo travellers in a city known for its high prices."

"This acquisition is the result of an intensive and targeted selection process. It demonstrates a&o's presence at the highest level, in Europe's best cities, with strong partners and a clear focus on sustainable growth," continued Winter.

Highlights of a&o London

• Natural daylight and private bathroom in each room: All rooms have windows with natural light and a private bathroom
• Electric water taxi: Free transport every ten minutes for a&o guests towards Canary Wharf
• Wide range of rooms: Variety of double, family and multi-person rooms for a wide audience
• Walking distance from Canary Wharf underground station: With connections via the Elizabeth Line and Jubilee Line to sights such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben
• Airport accessibility: Just 30 minutes from London City Airport
• Riverside Bar: Includes unique views of the London skyline
• Underground car park: +/- 50 parking spaces for guests

44 locations with focus on growth

Together with owners StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners, a&o Hostels announced a €500 million budget for expansion, refurbishment and modernisation of its properties from spring 2024. Six new locations have since been secured, including London. Further target cities are Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, Paris, Madrid and Lisbon.

Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, the company is growing to 44 branches in 30 cities and 10 European countries with the opening of a&o London, totalling around 30,000 beds. Its main target groups are families (15%), school groups (38%), clubs and individual city trippers. In 2024, a&o Hostels welcomed 2.8 million guests and recorded 6.2 million overnight stays. According to preliminary figures, more than 1.15 million guests already chose a&o in 2025, accounting for around 2.6 million overnight stays from January to May.