A new hotel will soon be checking into Swansea city centre in a major boost to the local economy.
Swansea Council has now picked a preferred developer and operator for the new hotel that would be constructed on land which had been temporarily landscaped between Swansea Arena and the LC.
The council will soon hold detailed discussions with the preferred developer and operator, which works with a number of leading worldwide hotel brand names. The council will also look to announce the brand of the hotel once these discussions are complete.
A 150-bedroom hotel with a rooftop bar offering views over Swansea Bay is being proposed.
The hotel would cater for about 40,000 people a year.
Swansea Council has approved the sale of the land earmarked for the hotel to the developer, and more details, including the brand, will be announced once talks are finalised.
The hotel’s construction would be funded by a combination of funding from the developer and other grant funding, including funding from the Welsh Government.
Subject to final agreements and planning consent, construction is expected to start next year.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We know from an expert-led recent study commissioned by our tourism team that there’s a need for more high-quality, modern hotel rooms in Swansea by 2026. This is because of our growing tourism offer, and the positive impact the arena has had on visitor numbers.
“The new hotel earmarked for the site between Swansea Arena and the LC will go some way to helping meet that demand, while also helping create jobs for local people and supporting our city centre traders.
“We now look forward to detailed discussions with our preferred hotel developer for this site and will release more information as soon as we’re able to do so.”
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Our city’s tourism offer is continuing to go from strength to strength, with figures showing visitors spent £609m throughout 2023 in the Swansea, Mumbles and Gower area.
“Our outstanding natural beauty and stunning seaside location – coupled with new facilities like Swansea Arena, the major regeneration programme transforming the city centre and the number of world class events held every year in Swansea – mean this figure is likely to further grow in the near future, which is why more high-quality hotels are needed here.
“As well as the hotel to be sited between the arena and the LC, other city sites that could accommodate additional hotels are also being looked at.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to transform the city centre and ensure Swansea reaches its economic potential.”
