Our New Year Outlook

Our Deputy Chairman Toby Smith shares his vision and outlook for the year to come, and looks back on all that we've achieved in 2022.

Before I talk about what we have in store for 2023, let’s look back briefly to last year.

2022 was a landmark year for Swire Hotels with the announcement of two new hotels under The House Collective brand. The new Houses (exact names shall be revealed later this year) will be in Shenzhen and Tokyo, opening in 2025 and 2027 respectively.

Our new House in Shenzhen will comprise approximately 110 guest rooms and 44 serviced residences, with stunning views overlooking Shenzhen Bay. The House will be part of a premium mixed-use development situated in the one of the newest and most prestigious commercial centres in the city. It will be a fabulous complement to our three Houses in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, and will of course be just a short drive to Hong Kong. Breakfast in the Shenzhen House and lunch at The Upper House, anyone?

Our House in Tokyo will be located in Shibuya, and will be set on the site of the iconic Tokyu Department Store. Historically a stylish shopping spot for affluent locals and visitors to the city, Shibuya is an area steeped in history and recognised around the world as the bustling heart of Tokyo. We couldn’t think of a better place in the city to have a House.

These two new Houses are just the start of an exciting new future for Swire Hotels. In total we have 7 hotels in the pipeline, for both The House Collective and EAST brands, in some fabulous cities in the Asia Pacific region. We expect to be able to announce further details of these exciting new projects in the first half of this year.

Naturally, we are fiercely proud of both EAST and The House Collective and so we are highly selective about where we want to open hotels and with whom we partner. We don’t want either to grow too quickly or to become too big and lose the distinctive personality that both brands have succeeded in building since we first opened the doors of The Opposite House in 2008. That said, we are always on the lookout for great opportunities to bring our own blend of authentic, unscripted, and unforgettable service to the great cities of the world, so let us know if you have any favourite places where you would like us to be!

Best wishes for 2023, and here’s to open borders and free travel!