Strive to survive
While the numerous innovations being made in design, in addition to the search for new products by hoteliers and designers, are signs of the current popularity of outdoor furniture, the biggest obstacle in the region remains the climate.
As Salvador points out, “the weather is very hard — not only warm but also humid and sometimes cool at night”.
“To resist this kind of climate the materials have to be the best quality — if not they will have problems immediately and hoteliers will be obliged to replace them within a year,” he adds.
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Van der Werf, like all our experts, is in total agreement and adds that dust is also a major factor, meaning ease of cleaning is important and materials cannot be “too sensitive to commonly used cleaning materials”.
“Cheap usually does not mean cheerful,” she continues. “We have seen copies of our Fatboy Buggle Up outdoor lounge bags on the market and these copies are guaranteed to discolour and disintegrate within weeks. Also important to consider is if the items are easy to store or cover when not in use.”
Quality is certainly the first word hoteliers should be thinking about. Linda Bruun Mortensen, creative director and brand manager at Voglia House & Garden Furniture, asserts that buyers need to choose either teak, “which can be maintained for many years,” or a “good quality of synthetic rattan”, which has been developed to resist the region’s harsh weather conditions.
Balchik’s Mohamed concurs, and explains that one of the qualities of teak is its ability to withstand the elements in even the harshest of conditions.
“Grade A teak already has a natural abundance of both oils and rubber which serve to protect the wood and keep it from drying out,” he asserts.
“The UV rays of the sun will cause the surface of your wooden furniture to turn a silvery grey over a period of time. This colour change in no way affects the life or durability of the teak.”
When it comes to rattan, Select Furnishing’s Warth says hoteliers should look for warranty cover.
“Key things to look for are that the frame is rust proof and that the rattan has been treated with a chemical so that it can withstand the highest and lowest temperatures,” he continues.
“Also, the tightness of the weave means it’s less unlikely to get caught or broken on any objects and shows the high-skilled trained labour that has been used.”
Of course, there are ways that hoteliers can minimise the wear and tear of their outdoor furnishings, such as storing it when conditions are wet or very humid. But there are also safety issues to consider when dealing with hotel guests and, Warth warns, “tempered safety glass should also be a must on all items”.
In regards to stainless steel, Alma Contract’s Lim says to look for companies who use special anti-rust processes.
“This electro-polishing treatment makes the stainless steel collection suitable for outdoor use, including cruise liners and beach resorts, thus reducing maintenance needs,” he explains.
But remember it’s not just about heat; materials have to be resistant to suntan lotion, bird droppings and a host of other spills and stains.
Lacey reminds us that, just like with any other product, regular service and maintenance ensures that outdoor furniture “continues to look good and function successfully for many years”.
“Kudos has many products in the UAE market which have been in constant use for over five years due to our close working relationships with our hotel clients.”
As for Angel Contract, Salvador says the company’s future is “based on the research of new ideas, new technologies and new materials”.
And that pretty much sums up the outdoor furniture sector, new ideas and materials that will make your life as a hotelier easier — just remember to avoid the lure of cheap imitations, as you will end up paying the price!
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