A prestigious four-star hotel in Hampshire gets a stylish enclosed pergola structure to suit the ambience and scenery of the location.
This historic hotel’s large paved terrace area with outdoor BBQ was only equipped with some tables and chairs, and so only used on dry days in the summer months. The hotel's event team wanted to create a new flexible outdoor space that could guarantee availability for bookings throughout the year, whatever the weather. They needed to ensure minimal visual impact of any structure, and to try and ensure that any addition did not steal light from the rooms behind.
Our solution was to install a bespoke designed flat timber pergola with retractable roof, glass walls, and full height glass bi-fold doors. The final proposal included fixed glass roof sections positioned to allow light to pour through to the rooms behind.
To ensure that the installation would be in keeping with the look and age of the hotel (built in 1856), the supporting timber was stained to match the building and the roofs were made in a neutral white colour to sympathetically match the existing façade of the hotel.
Customers now enjoy the outdoors whatever the time of year or weather. The area has been furnished to include rattan furniture and an outdoor carpet, we have also installed LED lighting within the roofs and twelve 2kw low-glare heaters that are operated easily by staff using a remote control or app on their phone or iPad.
Since install, the impact on bookings has been dramatic. The terrace area is regularly described as 'stunning' by those who first set eyes on the space; the lush green surroundings are somehow drawn in to the terrace, the colours enhanced, and the guarantee of use has prospective clients scrambling to book. The new terrace has created a genuine wow-factor for the hotel to impress event attendees and hotel guests alike. A particular favourite for weddings, bookings this year are up by 50%, and many couples are even making their vows in the beautiful new surroundings of the terrace.
The hotel has been able to capitalize on the flexibility of the structure and the fact that customers can enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather, as key selling points for event bookings. With a capacity of up to 200 people, the hotel has been making the most of the new terrace area overlooking their picturesque grounds by regularly hosting corporate parties, banqueting and wedding receptions.
