Europe’s largest privately owned hostel group, a&o Hostels, has bought the former DoubleTree by Hilton Docklands Riverside for its first hotel opening in London.
After a £21 million renovation it will have 500 rooms and 2,100 beds and will be targeted at “value seeking” solo travellers and families.
The company will also support a fully electric river boat service across the Thames running every 10 minutes.
The former 17th-century dockland building is sits directly opposite Canary Wharf in Southwark.
From January 2026, the three building complexes of the original 17th century port building will be gradually converted and modernised during ongoing operations.
Oliver Winter, founder and CEO of a&o Hostels said: "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.”
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o Hostels currently operates 44 properties with around 30,000 beds in 29 cities across 11 European countries. A further two properties are set to open in the near future.
