a&o Hostels has announced the appointment of Carolin Paarmann as general manager of its first London property, a&o London Docklands Riverside, which opened in late November.
a&o London Docklands Riverside is located in a 17th-century dockside building in the Southwark district on the south bank of the River Thames. Following a phased modernisation program due to begin in 2026, the property will offer approximately 500 rooms and 2,100 beds.
“Entering the London hotel market is a significant challenge, but we have an outstanding team that has created an open, lively and welcoming atmosphere from day one,” said Paarmann. “London is a magnet for visitors, from independent travellers to groups such as school and language students. We expect around 180,000 overnight stays in 2026”.
After training as a chef in Hanover, Germany, Paarmann held roles in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Between 2009 and 2011, she completed further training in Berlin to qualify as a state-certified business manager for hotels and catering. She went on to hold positions in Scotland and Wales, before completing a management trainee program with a&o, with roles in Hamburg, Amsterdam and Berlin. Paarmann has been based in London since 2015.
“London is another major milestone in the history of a&o. The city is a unique location, economically, culturally and geopolitically. With Carolin Paarmann and the entire team on site, we are well-positioned to seize this opportunity and successfully establish a&o in the London market,” said Oliver Winter, CEO of a&o.