Asian Hotel and Catering Times April 2016

ASIAN HOTEL & CATERING TIMES

PUBLISHED SINCE 1976

Vol 44 April 2016

EQUIPMENT UPDATES What’s hottest

F&B PRODUCTS The movers & shakers

VOL 44 April 2016

Hong Kong SAR China Singapore Malaysia Thailand Rest of Asia

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HOSPITALITY JOB HUNT Mobility a must

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Outdoor furniture must be on-trend, practical and durable (Photo courtesy: Suniture)

Outdoor ranges

What are the current needs and trends and how does outdoor furniture add to a hotel’s appeal with guests? Vicki Williams finds out

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hen it comes to outdoor furniture for the hospitality industry it is definitely not a one-size-fits-all game.

The ‘wow’ factor has become as important as the practical aspects, with outdoor zones now expected to incorporate and augment a sense of place, one that may change through the day.

Hotels want unique arrangements and suppliers are having to get creative to meet needs and trends.

According to those interviewed one of the big trends is that design and form have become as important, sometimes more, than function.

Victor Moncho, Asia sales manager, for furniture company, Kettal, says, “Design, at least for our customers, is more important than function, the design is a reason that customers buy our pieces.”

Witchuda Rasri, sales manager, Suniture - an experienced supplier of furniture for the hospitality industry - says, “These days, all of these outdoor furniture elements of function, design and finish are already made available.

“One can literally create outdoor dining and living areas where the furniture and other elements are in beautiful fabrics that

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Suniture ranges blend function, design and finish

will not rot or fade. Outdoor foam makes comfortable seating with no concerns that they may get smelly and unhygienic – there’s no threat of mould or mildew.

“There are even outdoor carpets and curtains. There is no need anymore to compromise between aesthetics and ambience and practicalities.”

To assist those looking for ideas Suniture even has its own blog sharing client examples of how to achieve outdoor areas that are on trend.

Of course hotels are quick to emphasise that function is still important.

Pisit Aongskultong, design director of Pisud, and the interior designer for Keemala, which opened in Phuket in December 2015, says, “While design

and appearance of the furniture is very important in achieving the look and required feel, the ultimate goal is for all the pieces to be fully functional and comfortable. Adaptions are made where necessary to achieve this. For example, in the Tree Pool Houses where the furniture is designed to be hanging from up above, the pieces are anchored to ensure sturdiness and practicality.”

For Sharmilee Agarwal Kapur, founder and director of the newly opened Atmantan Wellness Resort, outdoor furniture is used to make a statement that complements the resort, so form becomes the basis for function.

“We believe that buildings are like the bone structure of the resort and the décor and furniture is the resorts fashion statement.

“The outdoor furniture at Atmantan was chosen to be trendy, tasteful and such that it camouflages itself into the stunning green landscape. While the furniture has clean straight lines and simplistic design, the materials used are eco-friendly wood, and rattan. The furniture while placed to maximise the visibility of the views has been especially designed for comfort and use at all times of the day.”

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There is no need anymore to compromise between aesthetics and ambience and practicalities Witchuda Rasri, sales manager, Suniture Outdoor furniture in Keemala needs to blend with its surroundings

What they want and need Offering customisation is important for suppliers. “Clients want to create signature looks for their outdoor venues, and we get many customisation requests, particularly for items such as cushions and umbrella covers,” says Rasri.

For Kapur customisation meant that the furniture had to be inline with the overall design brief.

“Our architects KTGY, Thailand, have conscientiously chosen a minimalistic architectural design and created a view-

oriented resort, where one experiences the view, every time.”

Furniture needs to have a dramatic impact too and ensuring this wow factor at Atmantan was a high priority.

“The furniture chosen while in sustainable materials has been styled in a myriad of designs and colours. Right from the kaleidoscopic cushions, different seating arrangements to the unique handcrafted wooden benches each piece of furniture differs from the other.

“The contoured outdoor benches have

been designed to mimic the dips of the land and the wow factor for sure is how all this stylish furniture blends seamlessly into the stimulating scenery of the resort,” says Kapur.

Keemala’s unusual design, centred around creating a resort based on the indigenous stories of Phuket’s four fictitious clans, meant that customisation and the wow factor was key.

Pisit says, “The architecture is a stark contrast to most hotel accommodation, so the furniture needed to be in harmony with

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Keemala’s Tree Pool House furniture has to hang from the ceilings

popularity of outdoor beanbags, which Suniture call sunbuns.

“It is more of a change in perception of what stylish outdoor venues can do in terms of attracting clients and creating more revenue. So instead of just using basic and usually boring outdoor furniture, venues are now looking into making these outdoor spaces more attractive and comfortable.”

Ultimately whatever the furniture choice, one aim is to enhance the guest experience.

Kapur says, “Our outdoor furniture naturally has to hand hold these outdoor experiences for our guests and make every moment memorable. The furniture creates outdoor spaces that allow them to relax and soak in the views. The furniture is comfortable, fashionable and well-placed, therein enhancing its usage and adding to the guests’ overall getaway wellness experience.”

Creating outdoor spaces that go beyond the basics, can enhance the guest experience, and importantly can increase revenue.

“In most hospitality establishments, adding an outdoor living area can boost foot traffic and improve sales. An outdoor living space creates a more relaxed environment, thereby encouraging people to gather for longer periods of time, and when properly managed, increases food and beverage consumption,” says Rasri.

Outdoor furniture at Phuket’s Keemala needs to be fully functional and comfortable

the creative vision of the resort and at home within the unique topographical conditions.”

Bringing what’s in out One trend that Moncho has noticed is a merging of indoor with the outdoor, with hotels creating environments that encourage lingering by guests.

“We are selling more and more accessories, candles, carpets, outdoor lamps, customers not only want the sofa with the tables, they also want to combine it with something more.”

Rasri says, “While the usual sunloungers still have a place, some clients are creating lounging areas that double as food and beverage areas. So we have outdoor sofas that are coupled with low dining tables.”

Another trend Rasri has noticed is the

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The outdoor furniture at Atmantan was chosen to camouflages itself into the stunning landscape

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