Hostel group a&o has purchased a pair of hotels in Manchester, as the latest step in its plan to grow its presence in more key European cities. The Manchester acquisition follows a similar recent deal in London, which saw the group also acquire a standing hotel, for conversion to its hybrid hotel format. a&o is deploying capital to acquire properties which it can quickly convert, as it looks to grow its presence in the UK market. A Swift ConversionIn Manchester, a&o has been able to purchase two hotels located next to one another, providing the opportunity to combine the two assets into a single operating property, once a refit has taken place. In October 2025, a&o acquired a former DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in London, to launch its brand into the busy UK capital market.