Europe’s largest hostel operator acquires Doubletree by Hilton in London’s Canary Wharf

Europe’s largest independently-owned hostel chain has announced plans to relaunch the former DoubleTree by Hilton, Docklands Riverside in London as a 500-room hotel.

The 17th-century dockland building in Canary Wharf, which is split into three buildings, will mark a&o Hostels’ first London property and third in the UK, following launches in Edinburgh and Brighton.

The site will open next month and remain in operation while it undergoes a £21m refurbishment.

It will offer 2,100 beds across double, family and multi-bed rooms and also provide a free electric river cab service for staying guests.

a&o Hostels clarified the property is not being marketed as a hostel, though it will target solo travellers and families looking to travel on a budget.  

Guests will also be able to dine at the Riverside Bar and make use of 50 parking spaces in the underground car park.

Oliver Winter, chief executive and founder of a&o Hostels, said: “The opening of our first location here in London 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.”

a&o was founded in 2000 and now operates 44 properties across 11 European countries.

It is backed by owners StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners, who in spring 2024 committed to investing £435m into a&o’s expansion and refurbishment programme.

Last year, the business recorded 2.8 million guests and 6.2 million overnight stays.