a&o Hostels

a&o was founded in Berlin in 2000 by its current CEO, Oliver Winter. The company currently operates 45 locations with approximately 31,300 beds in 31 cities across ten European countries. True to its motto, "Everyone can travel," a&o makes travel affordable. Backpackers, solo travellers, families, school groups, and clubs are among a&o's core guest segments. The number of business travellers and seniors is also steadily increasing. In the first half of 2025, a&o recorded 1.4 million guests, 3.1 million overnight stays, and achieved an occupancy rate of 73 percent. With 6.2 million overnight stays, 2.8 million guests, and revenue of €232.4 million, 2024 was the most successful year in the company's history to date. As part of its sustainability strategy, a&o is continuously working to further reduce CO2e emissions per overnight stay. Since the end of 2023, StepStone Group and Proprium Capital Partners have owned a&o. Recent openings include Manchester, London, Milan, Florence, and Brussels.