Upper House launches ‘House locals’ for insider-led city experiences

Upper House has introduced "House locals", a new programme that invites guests to discover cities not through landmarks, but through the people who know them best.

Moving beyond traditional luxury service, House locals connects travellers with a handpicked team of individuals whose expertise is rooted in lived experience: creatives, tastemakers and specialists who shape the cities they call home.

Drawing on their insider access and curated knowledge, House locals across all Upper House properties provide guests with rare insight into each destination. They design bespoke itineraries and experiences that uncover the city’s most authentic and extraordinary sides, often opening doors that remain closed to typical visitors.

Upper House has unveiled its first four House locals, offering a diverse range of culturally connected specialties and experiences in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai. Further curated series of House locals, along with their insider tips and exclusive access, will be revealed seasonally and made available to guests across all Upper House properties.

In Hong Kong, head hiker Leo Chung invites guests to experience the city from a different vantage point. Leading guided hikes along lesser-known trails he has spent years refining, Chung offers insight into neighbourhoods, culture and community from the perspective of someone deeply embedded in the city’s everyday rhythms.

Specialising in urban hikes, he describes hiking as “the best alternative way to fly”, shifting perspectives from skyline to ridgeline within a single morning. At Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, Chung tailors the well-known route to each guest’s pace, interests and ability, while also introducing lesser-known variations that reveal different facets of this popular trail.

Along the way, he shares thoughtful commentary, stories and historical context, giving guests a richer understanding of both the path underfoot and the city below. For international travellers seeking more than the expected, Chung offers privileged access to Hong Kong’s natural terrain and cultural backstory, returning guests to Upper House in time for dinner with a new sense of place.

In Chengdu, panda protector Danny Qi helps guests move beyond simple observation to understand pandas within a broader narrative of conservation and coexistence. For Qi, pandas represent far more than a beloved species. As an umbrella species, the protection of their habitat supports more than 8,000 other species, situating each encounter within one of the world’s most significant biodiversity regions.

Qi introduces guests to Dujiangyan Panda Valley for hands-on volunteer experiences that deepen this perspective and provide a closer look at conservation in action. Back in Chengdu, the story continues through the city’s relationship with the surrounding landscapes and the ecosystems that sustain it.

Also in Chengdu, tea master Yvonne Du describes tea as something “absorbed rather than studied”, shaped by daily ritual and an intuitive understanding of each leaf’s character. In intimate, unhurried sessions that feel personal rather than performative, Du guides travellers through the influence of mist, altitude and soil on flavour, and demonstrates the tactile precision of oolong production, where subtle variations in handling define a tea’s final profile.

Her approach centres on presence over pageantry, aligning leaf, water and mood in a way that feels grounded and refined. Through private tastings and selecting seasonal teas, she offers international guests far more than a formal ceremony. As any passionate tea master would, Du encourages deeper local engagement, sharing her knowledge of the city’s most respected tea houses and where to experience Chengdu’s tea culture at its most authentic.

While in Shanghai, chef Tony positions soup dumplings as the city’s culinary calling card—a “name card for the city” that reflects Shanghai’s historic openness to global influences. A trained dim sum master, he offers private masterclasses and curated explorations of local markets and eateries, while introducing guests to the city’s seasonal dining rituals, from autumn’s hairy crab at Yangcheng Lake to the early-morning wine culture of Fengxian in summer.

Teresa Muk, head of brand and strategic marketing, Swire Hotels, said: "At Upper House, it’s always been about our people and what they love to do. House locals shines a light on the fun and meaningful connections we share with guests, giving you a taste of the wonderful personalities and individual perspectives of our team members. These small encounters often grow into real friendships. More than just a programme, it’s a celebration of the people who shape our Houses and an invitation for guests to experience each destination through a local’s lens.”

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