a&o Hostels acquires Schulz Hotels as part of EUR 500 million growth strategy
a&o Hostels, Europe’s largest and fastest growing hostel chain with 30,000 beds under management, has acquired Berlin based Schulz Hotels.
With this step, a&o aims to further strengthen its position in core markets and expand its offering to accelerate European growth. The company is responding to clear market trends, including increasing inbound tourism, a growing number of price sensitive travellers and ongoing technological developments. The European hostel market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8 percent between 2025 and 2030 (Grandview Research, 2025).
The founders of Schulz, Nizar Rokbani, Oskar Kan and Sacha Gechter, are joining a&o’s management and advisory team as the company works on expanding the brand and its offering. The trio previously founded Meininger, a European hotel hostel concept that today offers more than 20,000 beds.
Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o has grown into one of the largest budget hostel chains in the world. In 2024, a&o Hostels welcomed a record 2.8 million guests and 6.2 million overnight stays. This growth continued in the first half of 2025, with 1.4 million guests, 3.1 million overnight stays and an average occupancy of 73 percent.