Generator Competitors

Neighbourhood hotels across the UK, Europe & the USA 🌎

Founded in 2000 by Oliver Winter, a&o Hostels is Europe’s largest independent hostel chain with over 40 locations across 28 cities in 11 countries. Combining the best of hostels and hotels, we offer a variety of accommodation including single and double rooms, family rooms, dorms and female-only dorms alongside 24/7 service, lively common areas, coworking spaces and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Our diverse guest mix includes backpackers, solo travellers, families, school groups, business travellers and senior guests, making a&o a welcoming space for all. Growth remains strong with recent expansions into Brighton, Brussels and Antwerp plus the newly opened a&o Firenze Campo di Marte in early 2025. As a company, we’re committed to making travel both affordable and sustainable, having reduced CO₂e emissions per guest per night by 78% since 2015, now at just 3.32kg per overnight stay—one of the lowest in the industry. Beyond hospitality, we are passionate about education, arts and sports. Through our a&o educare initiative, we support equal access to education, while a&o Kunsthalle provides a platform for emerging artists. We also actively sponsor youth sports teams, helping to foster talent and community spirit. Backed by investment from Stepstone and Proprium, a&o continues to expand and modernise, ensuring budget-conscious travellers have access to high-quality eco-friendly stays across Europe.

Selina is one of the world’s largest hospitality brands built to address the needs of Millennial and Gen Z travelers, blending beautifully-designed accommodation with coworking, recreation, wellness, and local experiences. Custom-built for today’s nomadic traveler, Selina provides guests with a global infrastructure to seamlessly travel and work abroad. Founded in 2014, each Selina property is designed in partnership with local artists, creators, and tastemakers, breathing new life into existing buildings in interesting locations worldwide – from urban cities to remote beaches and jungles. Selina’s portfolio includes 150+ open or secured properties across 25 countries. Web: www.Selina.com Instagram & Facebook: @Selina Twitter: @Selinahotels