Creating outdoor spaces for guests at hotels and resorts is an important consideration. Whether you’re working on a new build or a fresh refurbishment, include your outdoor space as guests will appreciate the care you put into it.
We’ve worked with the largest hotel chains in the world to design, plan and install the best Cantilever Patio Umbrellas. Nestled on the Sayq Plateau in Oman’s Hajar Mountains, Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa offers a luxurious sanctuary 2,000m above sea level.
Working with the team at Hotel Indigo, Shadowspec were able to bring the outdoor area of their new location together with Cantilever Umbrellas.
Disconnect to Reconnect
“Every guest that comes here falls in love with the area it is a place where you immediately feel at home, you immediately feel relaxed and we we say that it's a place to disconnect to reconnect.”
The hotel features stunning views across the green mountains of Jabal Akhdar and access to all the amenities you could need with three on-site restaurants, luxurious pools, a stunning spa and trips to explore the stunning agriculture and hidden villages of the mountains.
“Jebel Akhdar is a special place. There's around 3,000 years of civilisation and the mountain itself is renowned for its agriculture, goats, pomegranates, olives, soft fruit and, of course, the spectacular views. You really do feel at one with nature, and we have guests that come and stay with us for two nights, and they extend for five or six days and then, they come back every year.”
Unbeatable Cusine
Cantilever Umbrellas are the perfect dinner partner, installed in dining areas at hotels all over the world. We’re always excited to see how venues can take inspiration from their environment to create experiences for their guests. In Oman, the agricultural output of the mountains stands out in the design of the hotel and the cuisine on offer. By incorporating local produce with world-class executive chefs the Hotel Indigo provides an experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
“We try to bring the influences of Jebel Akhdar into the cuisine, so you'll find the local figs, pomegranates, and some great Omani dishes. We've also taken the influence of Omani cuisine, which was influenced by Zanzibar, so Oman has a very flavorful cuisine that we impart onto our menus.”
Cantilever Umbrellas for Hotels and Resorts.
When Shadowspec are chosen to partner with projects, like a good chef, we take cues from the location, the setting and the atmosphere. Working alongside project managers and general managers to make sure their needs are met and the needs of the guests are met is energising and we have a dedicated team who journey together with venues to ensure the outdoor space is perfect.
“With Shadowspec, it was a bit of a journey. I spoke to the other general managers for the other hotels in this area, and they told me about how the wind changes from the mountains and being in this climate, it can change from one hour to the next. They told me how many umbrellas I would go through. In my research, I thought about where there is a location that has a similar climate to Jebel Akhdar, and New Zealand was one of the locations that came to my mind, so I researched “what umbrellas people were using in New Zealand” and came across Shadowspec.”
Cantilever Umbrellas Made in New Zealand for the World.
Shadowspec Umbrellas are made in New Zealand for our conditions. The perfect mix of marine, wind and sun enables us to test the umbrellas in real-world situations to ensure they stand up and stand out in any environment across the world. This process aligned with the Hotel Indigo's plans for shade.
Cantilever Umbrellas are perfect for dining areas. The design removes the need for a pole in the middle of the table, opening up the table and seating options and promoting conversation by removing the pole from the middle of the table.
“I wanted a cantilever umbrella because it's a lot more convivial to dining, you don't have an umbrella in the middle of your table, and I wanted an umbrella that withstands high winds and is easy for the team to use.”
Designing Outdoor Spaces for Hotels
At Shadowspec, we get excited about designing new spaces in collaboration with venues. Our design team worked with Hotel Indigo Jebel Akhdar’s team to create a layout of umbrellas to suit their needs, matching the needs of the various areas with the correct size and shape of umbrella.
“I love the ease of use, and I love the quality of the frame and working with the Shadowspec team to bring the terrace together with shade. We did a number of rounds of floor plans with the Shadowspec design team and we came up with the ideal location by the pool. We installed the Shadowspec Serenity 2.5m Cantilever Umbrella on the lower level and the 3.0m version on the dining terraces due to the size of our tables."
Umbrella Canopy Fabric Colours
The fern canopy colour from Recasens was an inspired choice by the Hotel, the Jebel Akhdar mountains are known as the Green Mountains due to the labyrinth of wadis, river valleys, and terraced orchards. By choosing Shadowspec and Recasens, the fabrics will last in the harsh sun of Oman and the altitude.
“On the ground floor, we have a huge terrace where we serve afternoon tea breakfast lunch and dinner. The Shadowspec Umbrellas have been fantastic around the pool as well and we wanted something a bit alternative that would fit in with Jebel Akhdar, and Jebel Akhdar means the green mountain, so having a fern green colour complementing our outdoor furniture and our pillows. The Recasens umbrella fabric is perfect for us because we’re in the mountains at 2,000 m you have a very high UV rating, so we didn't want the umbrellas to fade over a short period.”
Working in collaboration to bring shade and design to guests.
When we work with venues to design their outdoor space, we like to think about guests first and how we can help them to have a great experience. By supporting the venue to build outdoor spaces that guests will enjoy, they can bring people together in a way that is thoughtful, careful and luxurious. If you’d like to work with us to upgrade or design your outdoor hotel space, reach out any time to our shade specialists.
“If you're looking for an umbrella and a system that will guarantee you shade for your customers with a very long warranty period and a great quality umbrella with ease of use, I would highly recommend Shadowspec.
The journey's been seamless, the umbrellas have been phenomenal, and ye,s you pay a little bit more, but you get your bang for your buck when it comes to Shadowspec.”
Ready to upgrade your hotel? Talk to our team today.
SHADE SPECIALIST