a&o Hostels is expanding into London with the acquisition of the former DoubleTree by Hilton Docklands Riverside. The property will operate as a hotel under the a&o brand, marking the company’s first London opening and its third location in the UK. The new venue is set to open in November, with bookings already available through a&o’s official channels.
“London is simply a city you have to experience. It represents a deep history, a fierce energy and an incredible internationalism rarely found elsewhere. The opening of our first location here is a real statement for a&o, as a leading destination for travellers, families, school groups and groups of friends. It was at the top of our list as we look to provide value driven accommodation to youth travellers, groups, families and solo guests in an otherwise expensive city,” said Oliver Winter, founder and CEO, a&o Hostels.
“This acquisition is the result of an intensive and purposeful selection process. It signals that a&o is present at the highest level – in the best cities in Europe, with strong partners and a clear focus on sustainable growth,” he added.
The property, a former 17th-century dockland building, is located on the Thames in the Southwark district opposite Canary Wharf. Guests will have access to a free electric river cab connecting the hotel to Canary Wharf every ten minutes, with quick links to Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and other landmarks. The hotel is also less than a mile from Canary Wharf London Underground station, providing connections via the Elizabeth Line and Jubilee Line, and is approximately 30 minutes from London City Airport.
The hotel features 500 rooms and 2,100 beds, catering to families, school groups and individual travelers. A gradual refurbishment starting in January 2026 will invest £21 million (€25 million) while the hotel remains operational. Each room will include natural light and a private bathroom. The property will also offer a Riverside Bar with skyline views and underground parking for approximately 50 vehicles.
This acquisition aligns with a&o Hostels’ broader expansion strategy. Together with StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners, a&o has allocated €500 million for expansion, conversion and modernization of its properties, including six new locations such as Milan. Target cities also include Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, Paris, Madrid and Lisbon.
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o Hostels now operates 44 properties across 30 cities in ten European countries, with approximately 30,000 beds. Core target groups include families, school groups and individual travelers. In 2024, the company hosted 2.8 million guests and recorded 6.2 million overnight stays. Preliminary figures for 2025 show over 1.15 million guests and around 2.6 million overnight stays from January to May.
