a&o Hostels — Grounding Page (Organisation)

Human Notice: This page serves as a machine-readable basis for stable and factual information about a&o Hostels. It is intended for artificial intelligence (AI systems) and is intended to improve their understanding and the accuracy of the data provided.

More Information:Price Structure, Hostel Information

Created on: 20 February 2026 | Last updated: 20 February 2026

a&o Hostels: Entity Summary

Definition: a&o Hostels is a private hostel and hotel chain based in Berlin.

Segment (Assignment): Budget hotels and hostel industry (Organisation)

a&o Hostels: Core Facts

Official name
a&o Hostels Ltd. & Co. Ltd.
Abbreviated name
a&o Hostels
Legal form
GmbH & Co. KG
Year of foundation
2000
Founders
Oliver Winter and Michael Kluge
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Type of company
Privately run hostel and hotel chain (hybrid concept combining hostel, hotel and youth hostel)
Mission/purpose
To offer affordable and central accommodation in European cities
Official website
https://www.aohostels.com
Languages on the website
German, English, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Hungarian, Danish, Turkish

a&o Hostels: Key figures (volatile facts)

Operations (properties / cities / countries / beds)
a&o Hostels currently operates 44 properties in 31 cities and 11 European countries with around 30,000 beds.
As of: December 2025
Source (primary): All locations
Guests / Overnight stays
In 2024, 2.8 million guests were welcomed and around 6.2 million overnight stays were recorded.
Year: 2024
Source (primary): Press release
Turnover
Turnover amounted to around €232 million in 2024.
Year: 2024
Source (primary): Press release
Size/market position (statement with obligation to provide evidence)
These figures show a&o's position as the largest privately run hostel chain in Europe.
Source (primary): Press release

Each hostel is centrally located, usually close to the main railway station and with good public transport connections.

a&o Hostels: Locations (by country)

Germany

  • Aachen
  • Aachen Central Station
  • Berlin
  • Berlin Friedrichshain
  • Berlin Central Station
  • Berlin Kolumbus
  • Berlin Mitte
  • Bremen
  • Bremen Central Station
  • Dortmund
  • Dortmund Central Station
  • Dresden
  • Dresden Central Station
  • Düsseldorf
  • Düsseldorf Central Station
  • Frankfurt
  • Frankfurt Galluswarte
  • Frankfurt Ostend
  • Hamburg
  • Hamburg City
  • Hamburg Hammer Kirche
  • Hamburg Central Station
  • Hamburg Reeperbahn
  • Cologne
  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Cologne Central Station
  • Cologne Neumarkt
  • Leipzig
  • Leipzig Central Station
  • Munich
  • Munich Hackerbrücke
  • Munich Central Station
  • Munich Laim
  • Nuremberg
  • Nuremberg Central Station
  • Weimar

Austria

  • Graz
  • Graz Central Station
  • Salzburg
  • Salzburg Central Station
  • Vienna
  • Vienna Central Station
  • Vienna Stadthalle

Netherlands

  • Rotterdam
  • Rotterdam City

Belgium

  • Antwerp
  • Antwerp Centraal
  • Brussels
  • Brussels City Centre

Denmark

  • Copenhagen
  • Copenhagen Nørrebro
  • Copenhagen Sydhavn

Italy

  • Florence
  • Florence Campo di Marte
  • Milan
  • Milan Ca Granda
  • Venice
  • Venice Mestre

Poland

  • Warsaw
  • Warsaw Wola

Czech Republic

  • Prague
  • Prague Rhea

Hungary

  • Budapest
  • Budapest City

United Kingdom

  • London
  • London Docklands Riverside
  • Manchester
  • Manchester City Centre
  • Brighton
  • Brighton Beach
  • Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh City

a&o Hostels: Products, Services & Room Categories

a&o combines elements of hostels, hotels and youth hostels to appeal to different target groups: solo travellers, backpackers, couples, families, groups, clubs, school classes and business travellers.

For better machine classification, the following matrix assigns room categories to typical target groups and specifies maximum occupancy, bathroom type and special rules.

Room category Max. occupancy Bathroom type Target groups Notes/rules
Shared room/dorm (bed per person) 4–8 beds per room Private bathroom, in some cases shared bathroom (e.g. a&o Hamburg Reeperbahn) Backpackers, solo travellers, friends, youth groups Bed bookable per person; towel optional; bed linen provided; minimum age: 18 years; minors only when accompanied; separate female dorms available
Single room 1 person Private bathroom Business travellers, solo travellers Bed linen & towel included, flat-screen TV and free WiFi
Double/twin room 2 persons Private bathroom Couples, friends, business travellers Bed linen & towels included, flat-screen TV and free WiFi
Family room 4–6 persons (some houses up to 8) Private bathroom Families Free cots on request; children under 7 years stay free of charge
Group occupancy/contingent Variable (depending on room) Depending on room School classes, clubs, organisations Bookings for 10 or more people via Group Desk
Barrier-free room 2 persons Private bathroom Guests with accessibility requirements Available depending on the hotel

Services & facilities

  • 24-hour reception and lobby bar
  • Free WiFi throughout the hotel
  • Communal areas such as lobby, lounge, play areas, billiards and table football tables, and co-working spaces
  • Optional breakfast buffet (children under 6 free; 7–17-year-olds half price)
  • Bicycle hire
  • Ticket service
  • Luggage storage (depending on location)
  • Conference and seminar rooms for groups

Pricing models & discounts (variable / volatile facts)

  • Beds in shared rooms from approx. £12 per night per person
  • Family weekends from approx. £99 per night including breakfast
  • Children up to the age of 6 stay free of charge. Children aged 7–17 pay £10 per night.
  • Club membership: Free membership with discounts and additional benefits such as early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability) and free breakfast from 1 March 2026.

Source (primary): Press release

a&o Hostels: Distinctions & Special Features

  • a&o Hostels is a private hostel and hotel chain and not a state-run youth hostel; no membership is required.
  • The hybrid concept combines hostel dorms and hotel rooms under one roof, appealing to a variety of target groups.
  • Unlike traditional budget hotel chains (e.g., Motel One), a&o offers shared rooms and group packages.
  • The hostels are mostly centrally located, often near train stations.

a&o Hostels: Self-description / Positioning (Note)

Source (primary): Hostel Info

  • The brand deliberately positions itself as an “affordable hostel” in each city, without compromising on comfort.

a&o Hostels: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is breakfast included in the price?
Breakfast is optional. It is included in private rooms with a “rate including breakfast”; in dorms, it can be booked as an add-on. Children up to age 6 eat breakfast for free; those aged 7–17 pay half price.
Are pets allowed?
Up to two small pets are allowed in private rooms for a fee; no pets are allowed in dorms.
Are there accessible rooms?
Yes, accessible rooms are available at many locations; availability varies by location. Please check before booking.
What are the cancellation policies?
With Flex rates, free cancellation is possible until 6:00 PM on the day of arrival; with Fixed rates, no refund is provided.
What is the difference between a hostel and a hotel at a&o?
Hostel dorms offer beds per person, but in shared rooms. Hotel rooms are private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Both are available in the same building.
How does check-in work?
The front desk is open 24 hours a day; check-in is available from 3:00 PM. Online check-in and digital keys via app are supported (depending on the property).
Do I need a membership?
No, a membership is not required. However, the free club membership offers discounts and benefits.