Rethinking Outdoor Spaces for Fun and Function
By Richard Jones, EVP and Chief
Operating Officer
Guest Driven Hotel Design
Our relentless focus on creating an Excellent guest
experience is what sets HVMG's design and construction services apart. As successful operators, we
determine how each space will function and benefit the guest first, and then
program the space based on that.
We make design decisions that flow from how travelers want to use a space rather than designing first and hoping the outcome will work for guests. In recent months, this has allowed us to consider -- and reconsider -- how best to incorporate outdoor spaces into our design plans. From dining to exercise, meetings to family activities, we are rethinking outdoor spaces.

Dining
We have all watched the explosion of outdoor dining
venues following last spring's lockdown.
Restaurateurs and bar owners exercised their creativity muscles to carve
pick-up windows out of walls and turn parking spots into seating.
In the process of expanding the hotel by 42 suites, we've
worked to redesign the food and beverage space to accommodate higher
volume. One by-product of this has been
that we were able to reclaim an unused patio for outdoor dining, which
has allowed us to improve the efficiency of space use and add enough seats to
accommodate the new suites. (Click
to visit hotel.)
Example in
Action: The Curator
This creative hotel in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward
neighborhood includes an innovative indoor/outdoor courtyard with doors and
walls that open. Since the property will
play host to pop-up events by local chefs, the ability to configure the
courtyard multiple ways will add to the feeling that no two stays are the
same.
Example in Action:
Embassy Suites by
Hilton Nashville Downtown Convention Center
When HVMG joined this project, we worked with the owner and
design team to put that guest focus into practice. The hotel's original plans called for a
fitness facility on the top floor. Our
experience told us that a rooftop bar and restaurant with a flexible gallery
event space would be more popular with guests and locals alike, but we
didn't want to forego outdoor space for exercise.
Instead, we were able to find space for the fitness center
on the fourth floor. The addition of
glass bi-fold doors creates an indoor/outdoor fitness experience and
frees up the rooftop for revenue generation. (Click to visit
hotel.)
Meetings and Events
Example in Action:
Embassy Suites by
Hilton San Rafael Marin County
We surveyed the property and identified under-utilized
outdoor space. The existing area was
nice enough, but its purpose wasn't clear, so it didn't get used very
often. It has now been upgraded to
accommodate a break-out room or meal function in tandem with the event space,
making the hotel more competitive for group business. (Click to visit hotel.)
Activities and Games
Of course, the timing may not be right for every hotel to
make changes to the physical plant or invest in new FF&E needed in an
outdoor space redesign. If that's the
case, hotels can still make use of their existing footprint. Activate an underused patio or lawn with
outdoor activities and games.
Example in Action:
Embassy Suites by
Hilton Scottsdale Resort
In addition to offering typical resort amenities like
pools and a hot tub, this resort has mixed in a variety of fun games and
equipment to make the most of the guest experience. These include bikes for rent, a firepit, and
a giant checkerboard with oversized pieces.
Other options for consideration are cornhole, Jenga Giant, outdoor
chess, and kids' activities like water tables.
(Click to
visit hotel.)
Hotel Design + Construction Project Managers
With more than 30 new hotel construction projects and
over $500 million in hotel renovations under our belts, HVMG's experienced design and construction
project management team is ready to help hotel owners make the most of their
outdoor (and indoor!) spaces.
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