THE EXPERIENCE

CONNIE WANG

International Management Trainee

During my university years, I had a sneak peek into the hotel industry through internships. Those experiences helped me find my passion in the industry. I still remember vividly the excitement of making crab salads in a restaurant or preparing dishes for a wedding banquet for 200 people, though my role was only the final garnishing touch of each dish. The momentum and team spirit of the restaurant team had inspired me.

On one occasion, I found a tiny note in a guest room saying, “Thank you Connie for taking care of us! We have enjoyed the stay a lot. Wish you all the best in your future career.” It was so touching! My hard work in cleaning the gigantic bathtubs and the chaotic bedrooms has paid off by this simple thank-you note. I realised that this is my passion and was determined to develop a career with a hotel group that shares the same passion and values as me.

During my last semester in university, Swire Hotels came for a recruitment talk. They presented the way they work in Swire Hotels and showed us the interesting hotel projects they were developing. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of it! Afterwards, I joined the hotel tour and signed up for the interviews, where I got to meet the fun and passionate team and management. I was amazed at how thoughtful and creative the hotels (or the brains behind them) are. They took “attention to details” to the next level.

The most important reason that I joined Swire Hotels, though, was because of the people. Everyone is unique, down to earth, fun and simply amazing! I have worked here for only four months, but I have already learnt so much from the projects, the team and my mentors. More importantly, every day I am living my passion!

KERRY LIM

International Management Trainee

I used to live in Beijing, and when I stepped foot into the sunlit lobby at The Opposite House for the first time, I was instantly sold. I was also confused, however. It was a hotel, so why was there a contemporary art exhibition in the lobby? You could tell it was a high-end hotel, but it didn’t have the usual stuffiness of traditional luxury. Guests looked trendy – some were even wearing bright-coloured hoodies – and front line team members were very friendly. It is this element of unexpectedness that I first loved and still love about Swire Hotels. It is constantly pushing the boundaries of conventionality and redefining standards. Swire Hotels is all about doing things differently.

During my first attachment at the Central Support Office, this idea of pushing boundaries and leaving enough room for novelty and individuality has permeated each project I’ve had the chance to work on. Whether in Marketing, People Development or Finance, I was given the opportunity to work closely with Managers while taking true ownership of the projects. I may be at the very start of learning the ropes, but since the beginning, both my creative and analytical input were encouraged, valued and, of course, challenged!

For me, this has been a critical aspect of my present career choice. Beyond working with a brand that I genuinely love and believe in, I needed to know that I could be myself and that my opinion would be considered. Like in any company, there are guidelines to follow at Swire Hotels, but I quickly came to realise that, in Swire Hotels, these guidelines are not there to hinder you. On the contrary, they are there to help you achieve a common goal in line with the brand culture whilst giving you enough leeway to contribute your own ideas.

As I am writing this, I am sitting in the Central Support Office. One of my colleagues just cracked a joke, and everyone in the team is still laughing next to me. This is another example of how people here are given the freedom to be themselves and to have fun at work. I believe this is a unique aspect of working in the hotel industry – one that I will no doubt continue to embrace.

NICOLAS STORNI

International Management Trainee

My phone rang on the morning of 18 May 2011. I looked at the screen and recognised it was from Swire Hotels, a call which I had been looking forward to. Swire Hotels’ International Management Trainee programme is just what a hospitality graduate like me could want - international exposure, the opportunity to work and learn in core operational departments within newly opened hotels and the chance to be part of an innovative and dynamic team of hoteliers. I answered with anxiety. It turned out to be a positive answer; my journey with Swire Hotels was about to begin.

I started the programme four months ago, although I must say it feels like it’s only been four days. I have been navigating through the Finance, Marketing and People Development departments in the Central Support Office, preparing to embrace hotel operations in our Hong Kong properties – EAST, Hong Kong and The Upper House. Since the very first day, I have been involved in fun, creative and meaningful projects, and to be honest, I cannot recall a day where I did not learn something. My new learning experiences have ranged from shooting a promotional video to implementing cost control standard procedures and completing mobile apps marketing strategy planning projects. Trainees are given the resources to realise their potential, and I like to believe this is a distinctive feature of the Swire Hotels IMT programme.

Working at Swire Hotels is about doing things with passion. The team proved once again that when you do something with passion, you can have a lot of fun and achieve great results. There is a special atmosphere here; it is all about the People and the Team. Don’t be surprised if you witness our open-door communication policy. We encourage interaction, and your new ideas are always welcome!

My journey at Swire Hotels has just started, and I am thrilled when I think of the upcoming challenges that await me in Hong Kong, Beijing and also the UK!

Zelotes Lam

International Management Trainee

Approaching graduation in the final year of my Hotel Management degree, I was hesitant to find a job in the hotel industry. This was because I had not found a hotel group that I felt comfortable with – that was, until I attended the recruitment talk by Swire Hotels. At first glance, while sitting in the room before the talk began, I already felt it was completely different from other hotel companies. One thing I noticed immediately was that none of the presenters were wearing formal business attire, which is a rare sight at recruitment talks. At that moment, I knew I wanted to know more about this company. After an hour listening to the presenters, I knew exactly which company I wanted to work with.

So, what happened in that one hour? I learned things about this company that I have never encountered in hotels before. I found that the culture in Swire Hotels is very distinctive in the industry. I liked that they are growing in a unique way by not placing a property anywhere they want, but rather developing individual hotels that are different not only to other hotels, but those in the group as well. And now, four months into this programme, I am continuing to discover new ways that they think and work “out-of-the-box”. This matches my own approach to life and work. Most importantly, I really appreciate that they respect everyone’s individuality and emphasise personality as well as ability.

So far, my experience in the Swire Hotels International Management Trainee Programme has been completely incredible. I have already completed several projects during my attachments in the People Development, Finance and Marketing departments. The greatest thing about this programme is that my mentors (i.e. supervisors and managers) give me many opportunities to speak out and share my thoughts and ideas. It feels good to know that they want to hear my opinions despite the fact that I only joined a few months ago. Not only is time at work rewarding, but my time outside of work is enjoyable, too. The People Development team organises activities for us to team build, volunteer or simply have fun! I really feel that I have made the right choice, and I am excited for what’s ahead in this two-year journey!

CHELSEA WONG

International Management Trainee

Once upon a time, there was a little girl, searching for her perfect match. And then they met. She admired his fun, creative, responsible and unassuming personality, and best of all; she could truly be herself in front of him. She was touched when hearing "I just love the way you are"… and she found out that he was not only a good partner but also a great mentor who guides her through all the challenges along the way, he's an adventurer who promised to take her abroad and explore…

Don’t get me wrong; it's not a love story, but my story with Swire Hotels as a Management Trainee. I remember the day when I first heard of the programme, a strong voice inside my head pushed me to go for it! Swire Hotels has a respect for individuality in the people they recruit and in the way it serves guests while ensuring quality. It's the realisation that the meaning of luxury has changed. And after joining the programme, I was amazed to see the resources invested in the people here. We are nurtured and guided all the way through and are given valuable training and opportunities to explore and mature. I feel really blessed at the fact that I enjoy my everyday involvement and learning. When I was attached to the Marketing Department, I was involved in the naming project of the restaurant and bar of our upcoming hotel - EAST, Beijing. It was a fun, creative project and it’s pretty cool to think that I helped to name the restaurant and bars in the new hotel! My recent attachment to Café Gray Deluxe brings me another kind of fulfilment through interacting with guests and working with a team of energetic and young team members. All I am experiencing now is reinforcing my choice and confidence that there’s a fun, exciting and fulfilling journey ahead!

KELVIN IP

International Management Trainee

After spending four months in the Central Support Office where I took ownership of research projects and explored the supporting functions to hotel operations in departments such as Finance, People Development and Marketing, I began my attachment in the Guest Experience (GE) department at EAST, Hong Kong. 

There's a unique buzz about this place. Working with a team full of vibrant youthful energy made it easy for me to fit right in. It makes it easy for me to relate to others and keeps work dynamic and fun. I appreciate that I'm empowered to make a difference to a guests stay by using my own creativity; there aren't any manuals here to tell you what to do. Just last week, I checked in a guest who wanted to go hiking in the surroundings. Without second thought, I researched on the Internet and printed out all the maps of the hiking trails nearby, with the weather forecast, sunset times, emergency number for his reference and asked him if he needed some packed sandwiches from Feast. This extra thought was appreciated by the guest and his compliment was very encouraging.

I have a close relationship with my manager, who acts as my mentor. We have daily catch up sessions where we exchange thoughts and ideas on what can be improved upon. My exposure is also broadened when I update the training materials and coordinate with the Housekeeping Department on ensuring a more efficient service.

Today, EAST, Hong Kong celebrates its one year anniversary. I'm proud to be with the team and share the successes that we’ve achieved during the first year. In a few months, I'll be moving to the UK to work for our sister brand, Chapter Hotels. Getting exposure to the European culture and service style and exploring the charms from small towns in UK like Cheltenham and Exeter is no doubt something I'm looking forward to. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the British weather!