Despite the pandemic, the Berlin-based hostel brand a&o continues to expand by opening its 40th European hostel.
Top destination Edinburgh: Scotland’s capital is the location of a&o’s 40th hostel – and at the first a&o in Great Britain. Centrally located in the old town, 131 rooms will soon be waiting for guests from all over the world. The opening is planned for July 2021.
11 May 2021: a&o Hostels, the biggest privately-owned hostel brand in Europe, has expanded its portfolio by opening its first hostel in the UK. Centrally located in the old town of the Scottish capital, the hostel will open its doors this July. The thriving hostel brand’s 40th property will be home to 131 rooms and 610 beds.
With its fascinating architecture and history, incredible surrounding hikes and unique food scene, Edinburgh makes for a perfect city break for anyone looking to make the most of a staycation this year, particularly those on a budget. The hostel’s summer opening is perfect timing for travellers looking for an affordable place to stay if visiting the city for the popular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
Whether guests are interested in experiencing a World Heritage Site or a lively pub and club scene, a&o Edinburgh is always only a few minutes’ away. Nearby is the famous Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace; the university, founded in 1583 is one of the oldest and most renowned in the UK or the popular nightlife districts of Grassmarket and Cowgate, which are only a ten minute walk away. In addition to its central location in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the hostel also offers the opportunity to enjoy social drinks at the large public bar located in the hostel’s courtyard.
Additionally, the property has adapted to the corporate design of a&o during operation with some of the rooms already reserved for long-stay guests. From September to May 2022, a&o Hostels will be occupied by students temporarily making the hostel their home.
CEO of a&o Hostels, Oliver Winter commented: “Edinburgh is a fabulous destination and we are very pleased to be able to celebrate a&o’s 40th hostel opening with our first UK property in Scotland’s capital city. The pandemic slowed us down but didn’t stop us – we used the time to further sharpen our search profile for new and exciting acquisitions.”
Last year, a&o Hostels opened three new locations in Warsaw, Budapest and Copenhagen. Edinburgh is the first new acquisition of 2021, with further locations secured in Florence and Heidelberg. a&o is continuing to focus on its expansion of properties, with sights set on Glasgow, London and Dublin.
Rooms can be booked as normal on the a&o website as well as through OTAs and travel agents. Rooms are available from €12 (£10.08) per person, per night.
To book a stay at a&o Edinburgh, visit: https://www.aohostels.com/en/
