The weather is terrible most of the year here in Cleveland, but we're finally starting to see some warmer, sunnier days.
I love being outside and walking with my dog, but sometimes I want to be able to relax outside somewhere that's not my house and enjoy a good cocktail. But I want to do it somewhere that's safe and following social distancing and disinfecting guidelines.
Hotels have added rooftop bars and cool outdoor terrace-type spaces over the years, and that trend should continue.
In a blog a few weeks ago, I talked about how travelers will have different comfort levels as we emerge from pandemic restrictions, and how hoteliers need to acknowledge and accommodate these different comfort levels.
Revamping outdoor spaces, which might be a few years old by now, at your hotel is a great way to accommodate those who are still wary about dining inside. Maybe now is the time to put in new outdoor, socially distanced furniture, summery decor and seasonal menus. Or maybe you stick with the furniture you have but add fun pillows and rearrange the spacing or which way furniture is facing.
Incorporate some outdoor games or a vertical plant wall. The smallest things can transform an outdoor space and attract guests.
My colleague Dana Miller wrote in October that hotels were incorporating things like igloos into their outdoor terraces to accommodate people outside in a socially distanced manner during the winter months.
This type of design change seems pretty simple, and I think hoteliers should find ways to do things like this during the warmer months. What's the warm-weather alternative to igloos? Please let me know if you figure it out.
We have a few hotels with rooftop bars here in Cleveland, one of which is the Azure Rooftop Lounge at the Metropolitan at the 9, which will open for the season on April 19. The hotel's Instagram shows a sneak peek of a flower wall, which was done in partnership with a local florist. This is a great way to attract those guests looking for an Instagrammable moment. And it's a great opportunity to support local businesses through partnerships.
Another local hotel with great outdoor space is Glidden House, near Case Western Reserve's campus. It doesn't have a rooftop bar, but the yard space is well maintained and beautiful. The hotel also has a patio area with nice furniture and string lights. String lights are a low-cost way to transform a space, which is sometimes all a space needs.
- Read "Family Roots Shine Through Boutique Glidden House" to learn more about the hotel.
How is your hotel transforming outdoor spaces and how are you letting guests know about it?
Email me, or find me on Twitter or LinkedIn.
The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hotel News Now or CoStar Group and its affiliated companies. Bloggers published on this site are given the freedom to express views that may be controversial, but our goal is to provoke thought and constructive discussion within our reader community. Please feel free to contact an editor with any questions or concern.