Garden Gab

Miami's EPIC hotel offers rooftop lounge areas

Experiencing a plunge in holiday and even business travelers, the hospitality industry is pulling out all the stops.  It’s not enough any more just to increase a hotel or restaurant’s customer base, these days survival means cornering the local market as well.  In this unfriendly war between competitors, the little guys are often emerging on top.  In the past few years even business travelers, that cash cow of the hospitality industry, have underutilized or even abandoned memberships at large chains in favor of small sprawling inns or tiny country bed and breakfasts.

Why this shift?  Experts say that the past few years “comfort” rather than “luxury” has been the element Americans have valued most, not only in their travels but also in their homes.  As the trend of “stay-cations” has increased, the value of a comfortable, stress free environment has become paramount.  Even (or especially) those who do travel often are trying to find the hotel or restaurant that will make them feel most at home.  Smaller inns have a headstart in this area.

The beautiful, relaxed garden of the Iris Inn in Ashland, OR

As major chains focused on meeting every guest’s request for extra amenities, perks, and special rates with memberships and best business practices during the last decade, small hotels continued to focus on comfort and a homey, welcoming feeling with handmade quilts, extra soft beds, and intimate outdoor spaces.   While the entire hospitality industry has striven and achieved new heights in quality of service, this sadly, is simply not enough for today’s travelers.

The hotels and restaurants that are surviving, or even thriving in today’s market are those that are offering an experience as close to home life as possible.  And for many Americans this year, that includes a comfortable outdoor living space.  Some, like Gramercy Park in New York are using memberships not to offer special rates or material perks, but to grant access to these much coveted, beautiful fresh air spaces.

Gramercy Park's private roof club features a seamless transition between indoor and outdoors and features a retractable roof

Other hotels are freshening up their balconies by replacing old plastic or iron patio furniture with comfortable, cushioned sets and living plants or garden sculptures on each guest’s private balcony.

The petite Graycliff Seating Collection is an ideal example of comfortable pieces for small patios or balconies

Those hotels without individual outdoor spaces for guests are creating them with private poolside cabanas or shady golf huts complete with access to an outdoor bar or restaurant.

Reservable cabana at La Playa Beach and Golf Resort in Naples, FL

While almost every large establishment now sees the value and has invested in outdoor dining facilities, one of the largest and still most rare advantages an inn usually holds over large chains is the addition and perfection of outdoor reception spaces.  While major chains now sometimes offer outdoor meeting spaces, they still consist of large green lawns covered in tents.  Some banquet facilities, though, have made the outdoor reception or meeting a work of art.  These package deals feature guest rooms, blooming reception spaces featuring specific color themes, and even highlighted spots, like gazebos, covered bridges or hedge mazes for photo opportunities.   Throughout the decade, these package weddings, often called “destination weddings” have been held in exotic locales, but more and more frequently, these are being abandoned for a local version of the same experience.

The Lavendar Gardens set up for an outdoor wedding Kirkwood Inn in Mason, OH

Just as an outdoor living space is one of the best renovations to make to a home to increase it’s value for little cost,  so is renovating the hospitality industries version of outdoor living.  Originally the source of inspiration for outdoor living with a resort feel, the hospitality industry is now looking towards home life for its cues.  As this trend toward comfort, and especially outdoor living spaces continues to grow throughout 2010, major chains are scrambling to catch up.