a&o Hostels

🌍 “Everyone Can Travel” - Premiere in Belgium: Welcome to a&o Antwerpen Centraal We’re excited to announce the opening of a&o Antwerpen Centraal, officially welcoming guests from 1st November! After Brighton in August, this is our second new opening within 3 months, marking our first hostel in Belgium and 41st property in Europe. 🎉 Located directly opposite the iconic Art Nouveau Antwerp Central Station, our new hostel will feature 133 rooms and 516 beds, offering affordable stays for everyone – from solo travellers to families. 🏨 We’ll be investing in converting and modernising the property, which was previously the Century Antwerp hotel. Antwerp is a city rich in history and culture, with a beautifully preserved historic centre that has buildings from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Art Nouveau periods. 🎨 It’s a must-visit destination for tourists from all over the world. This expansion is part of our continued growth across Europe, with more properties to come in 2025. We’re also working towards becoming net zero in 2025, making this an important step in our sustainability goals. 🌱 We can’t wait to welcome you all to Antwerp – the next stop on our a&o journey! Welkom, bienvenue, welcome! 💫 #aohostels #Antwerp #Anwerpen #NewOpening #HostelOpening #AffordableStay #EveryoneCanTravel #SustainableTravel #NetZero #TravelCommunity #ExploreBelgium #EuropeTravel #VisitAntwerp #DiscoverBelgium #BelgiumTourism #AntwerpAttractions #AntwerpCity #ExploreAntwerp #BelgiumAdventure #CityBreakBelgium #BelgiumHeritage

a&o's Dynamic Presence at Expo Real: Expanding Horizons and Building Connections 🌍🏢 Here we are once again! 🎉 Expo Real 2024 in Munich has brought together real estate enthusiasts and professionals from around the world 🌍, offering a unique opportunity to deepen our industry knowledge and forge new partnerships 🤝. At the a&o Hostels booth, we engaged in numerous exciting discussions with visitors about our expansion strategy 📈. These conversations sparked insightful exchanges and provided us with valuable feedback, reinforcing our growth plans and vision for the future 🚀. A major highlight of our participation was the forum/panel discussion on Hotel Investments🏨💼. This platform offered a comprehensive look at industry trends, presenting fresh perspectives on emerging investment opportunities and market shifts that could shape our future strategies. Our a&o development team is now equipped with valuable connections and insights in the real estate field 🌐. They are well-positioned to drive a&o's expansion forward , ready to take the next big step in our growth journey. Where will our next destination be? Stay tuned for exciting news! ✨ Any project suggestions? 💡 – Let’s get in touch with our development team! 📧 Simon Lee Barig Naseree Kenneth Vogel Darío Rodríguez Fernández, CFA #ExpoReal2024 #HotelInvestments #RealEstate #aohostels #ExpansionStrategy #GrowthJourney #Partnerships #FutureOfHospitality #RealEstateTrends #BusinessDevelopment #Networking #Innovation #NewOpportunities #GlobalConnections #HospitalityIndustry #SustainableGrowth #MunichExpo #HospitalityInvestments

🌿 Our First a&o Insect Hostel is Here – A Big Step Towards Urban Biodiversity! 🏨✨ We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our first-ever a&o Hostels' Insect Hostel, a project aimed at promoting biodiversity in the heart of Frankfurt! This innovative initiative is part of our broader commitment to environmental sustainability, led by our nonprofit, a&o educare e. V.   On 19 September, we officially inaugurated the insect hostel alongside a beautiful flowering meadow. This vibrant green space is an essential food source and habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and bumblebees, providing crucial nesting and hibernation spots. The meadow and hostel will enhance species diversity and promote urban biodiversity.   This project has been a remarkable collaborative effort. Huge thanks go to Ralf Olk for leading the way and to the students from Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden, under the guidance of Sabine Böhling, for their detailed concept development. Their work included using authentic local ‘flowering meadow’ seeds from Rieger-Hofmann GmbH to create an ecologically valuable space. Special recognition also goes to Asena Galioğlu, Artenglueckück for designing the insect hostel and Garten- Und Landschaftsbau Guwer for bringing this project to life. And lastly, a huge thank you to the team at a&o Frankfurt Galluswarte!!! 😊   But this is only the beginning! The a&o Insect Hostel in Frankfurt is a pilot project, and we’re excited to see where the next Insect Hostel could be. By partnering with local communities and authorities, we’re aiming to create more urban green spaces that benefit both people and wildlife. 🌻 This is another step in our mission towards Net Zero 2025 and continuing our commitment to sustainability. We’re excited to share this journey with you!   #aoJourney #aohostel #everyonecantravel #EcoFriendlyTravel #SustainableTourism #GreenHospitality #ClimateAction #ESG #UrbanSustainability #SustainableLiving #NetZeroGoals #EcoInnovation #CircularEconomy #ResponsibleTravel #SustainableDevelopment #CarbonNeutral #ZeroWaste #GreenInitiatives #EnvironmentalLeadership #BiodiversityConservation #SustainableCities #FutureOfSustainability #SustainabilityMatters!

🎨🎶 First-Ever a&o Flea Market – Creative Vibes at a&o Berlin Friedrichshain! 🎶🎨 For the past two months, we’ve been celebrating creativity, community, and charity at a&o Hostels's first-ever flea market in Berlin Friedrichshain! 🛍️✨ Every Saturday from 11:00-19:00, locals, tourists, and artists come together for this one-of-a-kind event, showcasing art, prints, jewellery, upcycled fashion, and, of course, live music. 🎤🎸 With a 24/7 bar adding to the fun and incredible DJ sets from Waiting for Trip to Mars, Be Ca Di, Jkln Official, and Gelometrik, this pilot project quickly became a vibrant hangout. The vibe was intimate, with a niche selection of stalls offering visitors the chance to truly connect with the artists. 🗓 Don’t miss the special final flea on the 28th! If you haven’t experienced it yet, now’s your chance! It’ll be a day filled with creativity, music, and a meaningful cause. Even better, all proceeds from the final flea market will support humanitarian needs in Ukraine, with updates shared by the amazing Viktoriya Temnova, who will also be organizing this special closing event. 💖 A huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey, especially our event manager Priyal Sahni for her incredible work in making this all happen, and to the amazing DNA Art Club Team for their support. Let’s make the final event one to remember! 🌟 #aoJourney #aohostel #everyonecantravel #BerlinEvents #FleaMarketBerlin #BerlinFleaMarket #CreativeBerlin #BerlinLocals #CommunityEvents #CharityEvent #BerlinCreatives #ArtInBerlin #SupportLocalArtists #UpcycledFashion #BerlinMusic #LiveMusicBerlin #SustainableFashion #HandmadeJewelry #BerlinCulture #BerlinArtScene #LocalArtists #CharityBerlin #ThingsToDoInBerlin #BerlinLife #BerlinWeekends #BerlinCommunity #BerlinVibes #BerlinEventsGuide #BerlinMusicScene #BerlinHangout #DiscoverBerlin #BerlinNetworking #BerlinSocial

🌟 Success Stories from Our Team: Maria’s Journey at a&o! 🌟   Maria Eugenia Méndez Erazo’s journey with a&o Hostels started uniquely – during a panel discussion at her university, where she had the chance to speak with our CEO, Oliver Winter. At the time, she was studying Tourism and Event Management and this conversation sparked something bigger. Not long after, Maria joined us at our Berlin Mitte location as a student worker at the reception, where she discovered her true passion for guest interaction!   After completing her studies, Maria didn’t have to look far for her next step. Our former Head of Group Reservations, who had seen her potential during a brief internship at Headquarters, offered her a role as a Group Reservations Agent. When asked what she enjoys most about her role at a&o, Maria says: "It never gets boring – always new tasks and challenges!" And one of these challenges came during COVID when she recorded our telephone announcements in Spanish. To this day, Spanish-speaking guests still hear her voice when they call in! 📞   Maria’s attention to detail and deep understanding of how things run soon led to her next role. In May 2023, she stepped up as Quality Manager for the Groups department, ensuring everything runs smoothly and all colleagues are well-trained. Her reach goes beyond Berlin too – once a year, she travels to our office in Pristine to support the team there.   But Maria’s contribution doesn’t stop with quality management. She’s also a ‘floater’, stepping in wherever she’s needed, whether that’s covering for a colleague or filling in during holidays. And it’s no surprise that Maria is known as the sunshine of the department – her warmth and energy brighten everyone’s day. 🌞   What keeps Maria motivated at a&o? It’s the international team, the constant opportunity to learn something new, and the trust placed in her. She’s also grateful for the guidance of both our previous Head of Group Reservations, Nadine Peppel, and our current Head, Sandra Otte, who have always taken the time to mentor and support her through challenges. Maria has been an integral part of the a&o family for many years, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her on the team! 🙌   Her favourite a&o location? Nuremberg! Though Leipzig holds a special place in her heart too. And if you’re into hiking, Maria’s top tip is to visit Salzburg! 🏞️   Thank you, Maria, for your passion, dedication and everything you bring to a&o! 💙 #aoJourney #aohostel #everyonecantravel #TeamSpotlight #LeadershipJourney #CareerGrowth #WorkplaceSuccess #InnovationInLeadership #TeamBuilding #SuccessStories #CareerMilestones #EmployeeSpotlight #CompanyCulture #InspiringLeaders #EmployeeExperience #CareerAdvancement #WorkplaceHappiness #EmployeeRecognition #LeadershipExcellence #HospitalityHeroes #WorkplaceCulture #TeamCollaboration #CareerPride #CareerJourney #PassionDriven #ProfessionalGrowth #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork #LifeataoHostels #InternationalTeams

🌱 Sustainable Fitch has affirmed our ESG Rating of 2. "...reflecting an improvement in the disclosure and performance of ESG metrics including emissions, health and safety, and board diversity balanced by average impact mitigation of its business activity." 💚 #aoJourney #aohostel #Sustainability #ESG #SustainabilityRating #SocialImpact #NetZero #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableTravel #CSR #ClimateAction #SustainableSupplyChain #ResponsibleTravel #SustainableFuture #CorporateSustainability #SustainableLeadership #RenewableEnergy #SustainableProcurement #FitchRating #SustainableFitch

Exciting times at the Hostelworld Conference in Copenhagen with our CMO Phillip Winter! It was fantastic to connect with industry leaders and dive into discussions on sustainability. Stay tuned for an upcoming video interview! 🌍 #everyonecantravel #aohostels #aoJourney #Sustainability #Travel #Hostelworld #Copenhagen #SustainabilityInTravel #TravelIndustry #HostelLife #SustainableTourism #TravelInnovation #HospitalityLeaders #TravelForEveryone #SustainableHospitality #FutureOfTravel #SustainableStays

Summer Vibes at a&o - BBQ Bash 2024! 🌞🔥 What an incredible time we had at the a&o Hostels' Summer BBQ 2024 in Berlin and Pristina! The events were filled with delicious food, sunny skies and even better company. This year’s gathering was truly one for the books as we came together to celebrate the season with plenty of laughs, great music and unforgettable memories. 😎 From the sizzling BBQ treats to the refreshing drinks that kept us cool, every moment was a reminder of why this event is such a highlight of our summer calendar. The outdoor games and activities brought out the competitive spirit in everyone while the laid-back vibe ensured there was something for all to enjoy. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us this year. Your energy and enthusiasm made the day special and we can’t wait to do it all over again next summer! 🎉 Until then, let’s cherish the memories we’ve made and look forward to more sunny days and BBQ fun in the future. ☀️🍔🍹 #aoJourney #aohostel #Sustainability #everyonecantravel #SummerEvent #CompanyCulture #EmployeeEngagement #TeamBuilding #WorkLifeBalance #Networking #BusinessNetworking #CorporateEvents #EventPlanning #BBQParty #OfficeFun #CompanyCelebration #Summer2024 #BerlinEvents #PristinaEvents #CorporateCulture #EmployeeExperience #TeamSpirit #EventHighlights #OfficeVibes #SummerVibes #GoodTimes #ColleagueBonding #EventSuccess #MemorableMoments #OfficeLife #WorkplaceHappiness #EventRecap #SummerFun #CelebratingSuccess

🌍 Sustainable Fitch ESG Rating: a&o Hostels Advances Sustainability and Social Impact Initiatives 🌱 We’re proud to announce that a&o Hostels has maintained its ESG Rating of 2 from Sustainable Fitch, reflecting our commitment to sustainable and socially responsible practices. Transparency with our guests and stakeholders is crucial to us, and we continuously seek external advice to improve and ensure accountability in all operations. 🙏 A special thank you to Arben Maliqi, our Director of ESG, for your unwavering dedication to driving our sustainability initiatives forward. ☀️ Since 2015, we’ve reduced emissions per overnight stay by 77.87%, making the CO2e emissions per overnight stay 3.32kg per guest in 2023. We’re implementing ISO 50001 and aim to improve the energy efficiency ratings of all hostels currently below Level C by 2026. We’ve also installed photovoltaic systems in 12 hostels to boost our sustainability efforts. We’re on track to achieve net zero emissions in 2025 while continuing to enhance our sustainability initiatives. 💚 In 2022, we introduced our Responsible Sourcing Policy to ensure our procurement supports sustainability across our supply chain. Our Code of Ethics guides employee integrity and compliance, while our Human Rights Declaration addresses operational risks, with assessments ongoing until 2025. 🍎 Our nonprofit, a&o educare, continues to impact young minds through sustainability education. Founded by CEO Oliver Winter and led by Ralf Olk, we empower the next generation through ‘ESD - Education for Sustainable Development‘, which is aligned with the UN's 17 Goals. 🎨⚽ a&o proudly supports social causes across Europe. We provided 300 overnight stays for SOS Children's Villages, sponsored 2,000 stays for sports teams, and fostered creativity at a&o Kunsthalle, led by Tanja Heuchele, in Leipzig. 🔍 At a&o, transparency is a key pillar of our approach. That’s why we actively seek external analysis of our work, collaborating with GreenSign for our hostels and Sustainable Fitch to review our entire company structure. We also release a comprehensive Sustainability Report for our guests, which can be accessed on our website, ensuring that our commitment to sustainability is clear and accessible to all. #aoJourney #aohostel #Sustainability #ESG #SustainabilityRating #SocialImpact #NetZero #EnergyEfficiency #SustainableTravel #CSR #ClimateAction #SustainableSupplyChain #ResponsibleTravel #SustainableFuture #CorporateSustainability #GreenBuilding #SustainableLeadership #RenewableEnergy #SustainableProcurement #FitchRating #SustainableFitch

Wander Through Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Munich with a&o Hostels! 🌍✨   With a&o Hostels, you can explore up to 10 diverse countries, each offering its own unique charm and experiences. Today, we're sharing a travel itinerary that will take you through 4 European countries. From the sophisticated streets of Vienna to the vibrant nightlife of Prague, our hostels are your gateway to a continent full of rich history, stunning architecture and unforgettable moments. Whether you're wandering through historic landmarks or enjoying local cuisine, our network of hostels ensures you'll find comfort and community wherever you go.   For more travel inspiration and tips, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on all the exciting destinations and offers waiting for you!   Your adventure starts right at your doorstep! Pick the city nearest to you and let the journey unfold. 📍   ☕ Vienna, Austria Begin your trip in Vienna, where you can stay at one of our two a&o Hostels. Enjoy the city's refined atmosphere with its elegant coffee houses, fascinating museums and vibrant cultural scene. 🖼️🎭   🚆 Budapest, Hungary Travel just 2.5 to 3 hours by train or bus to Budapest and check into a&o Budapest City. This picturesque city along the Danube River features stunning architecture, including the Fisherman's Bastion and Parliament Building, and offers soothing thermal spas. 🏛️💆   🏙️ Prague, Czech Republic Next, take a 2-hour journey to the "Golden City" of Prague, where you’ll find a&o Prague Rhea. Explore iconic landmarks like Prague Castle and Charles Bridge and dive into the local nightlife at a traditional beer pub. 🌃   🌳 Munich, Germany Continue on to Munich, a 5 to 6-hour trip by train or bus. With three a&o Hostels to choose from, Munich blends Bavarian charm with modern amenities. Stroll through Marienplatz, visit Nymphenburg Palace or relax in the English Garden. Don’t miss the Hofbräuhaus for an authentic beer hall experience. 🍺   🚆 Vienna, Austria Wrap up your journey with a 4-hour train or bus trip back to Vienna. Reflect on the countries you've explored and enjoy one last taste of this enchanting city. 🚆   ✨ And that’s just the beginning! With a&o Hostels, you can explore up to 10 countries on your adventure. Ready to start your journey? Book with a&o Hostels today! 🌍   #aoJourney #aohostel #SustainableTravel #EcoFriendlyTravel #TravelSmart #LocalTravel #TrainTravel #BusTravel #EuropeanTravel #TravelSustainably #AffordableTravel #TravelTips #ExploreEurope #TravelAdventures #SustainableTourism #ResponsibleTravel #TravelPlanning #HostelLife #TravelInspiration #TravelGoals #TravelDestinations #SustainableHostels #TravelEurope #ExploreWithao #EuropeanAdventure #Wanderlust #EcoTravel #CityBreaks #CulturalTravel #TravelNetworking #HostelTravel #DiscoverEurope #TravelWithPurpose #EuropeanCities #TravelHostels #ViennaVibes #BudapestBliss #MunichMoments #PraguePerfection