a&o Hostels, Europe’s largest privately-owned provider of budget accommodation, announces the acquisition of the former DoubleTree by Hilton Docklands Riverside. With this step, the group is opening its first location in London and its third property in the United Kingdom. The new a&o London Docklands Riverside will operate as a hotel and illustrates the group’s continued growth in the hospitality sector. The opening is scheduled for November, but reservations are already available through official a&o channels.
A historic location on the Thames
The former 17th-century dock building is located on the River Thames and features its own pier. Guests can make use of a free electric water taxi to Canary Wharf, provided by a&o Hostels, from where landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are within easy reach. The Underground connections from Canary Wharf also ensure fast and comfortable access to the rest of the city. With 500 rooms and 2,100 beds, the new a&o London Docklands Riverside will undergo phased renovations, backed by an investment of £21 million (approx. €25 million). The property will remain open during the works. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
London is one of the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural hubs, boasting 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 becoming its third UK destination, alongside Edinburgh and Brighton.
A key milestone for a&o Hostels
Oliver Winter, founder and CEO of a&o Hostels, commented on the announcement:
“London is simply a city you must experience. It offers a rich history, immense energy, and an international character that is rarely found anywhere else. The opening of our first location here is an important milestone for a&o. London was at the very top of our list, because this is exactly where we want to provide affordable accommodation to young people, families, groups, and solo travelers in a city known for its high prices.”
“This acquisition is the result of an intensive and focused selection process. It demonstrates that a&o is present at the highest level, in Europe’s best cities, working with strong partners and with a clear focus on sustainable growth,” Winter continued.
Highlights of a&o London
- Natural daylight and private bathroom in every room: All rooms come with daylight windows and a private bathroom
- Electric water taxi: Free service every ten minutes for a&o guests to Canary Wharf
- Wide variety of rooms: From double rooms to family and multi-bed rooms for a broad audience
- Walking distance to Canary Wharf Underground: With Elizabeth Line and Jubilee Line connections to landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben
- Airport access: Only 30 minutes from London City Airport
- Riverside Bar: With a unique view of London’s skyline
- Underground parking garage: Approx. 50 spaces available for guests
44 locations with a focus on growth
Together with its owners StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners, a&o Hostels announced a budget of €500 million for expansion, renovation, and modernization of its portfolio starting spring 2024. Six new properties have already been secured, including London. Other target cities include Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, Paris, Madrid, and Lisbon.
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, the company will grow to 44 properties in 30 cities and ten European countries with the opening of a&o London, offering around 30,000 beds in total. Its main customer groups are families (15%), school groups (38%), clubs, and individual city travelers. In 2024, a&o Hostels welcomed 2.8 million guests and recorded 6.2 million overnight stays. According to preliminary figures, by May 2025 more than 1.15 million guests had already chosen a&o, representing about 2.6 million overnight stays between January and May.
Hotel website
a&o London Docklands Riverside
265A Rotherhithe Street
London, SE16 5HW
United Kingdom
+44 20 7231 1001
Source: hospitalitynet.org
