With destinations opening up for business and vaccination rates ramping up, flexible and functional outdoor spaces for meetings and events are an appealing choice for event groups who may not feel comfortable gathering indoors just yet.

In this reopening, a plethora of resort and hotel properties are rising to the occasion by leveraging their existing open-air spaces in new and inventive ways to service events. And after a year of being cooped up, some extra fresh air sounds good, COVID or no COVID.

“Our member hotels have designed some really innovative uses of outdoor space to put planners and their guests at ease over the last year,” said Michel Dominguez, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. “Of course, a sweeping lawn with expansive ocean views is always in high demand for events, but there are some really creative spaces being developed by ALHI hotels and resorts to service guests in 2021 and beyond.”

Here are a few of AHLI’s properties to consider when planning your next outdoor event:

Balboa Bay Resort

Newport Beach, California

This charming Southern California resort has 30,000 square feet of event spaces that come with private outdoor terraces. The newly reimagined and expanded 3,500 sq. ft.-Bay Front Lawn has seating for up to 180 people or 255 in a cocktail reception. This semi-enclosed direct waterfront space features a 986 sq. ft. pre-function lawn overlooking the harbor and private yachts, along with eco-friendly faux grass and attachable tenting that can be installed by request.

Emeline

Charleston, South Carolina

This downtown hotel features more than 13,000 square feetof new and flexible function spaces and 10 distinct event spaces, including two outdoor settings: a 5,267 sq. ft. open-air Courtyard and a 1,247-sq.-ft. Greenhouse tucked within a green atrium featuring a focal brick fireplace punctuated by crystal chandeliers and surrounded by trellises.

Prince Waikiki

Honolulu, Hawaii

This contemporary luxury hotel in the heart of Waikiki features 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including an elevated, 3,000-sq.-ft. 5th floor pool deck. Perfect for banquets or cocktail receptions, it includes an infinity pool, luxury lounge chairs and poolside cabanas offset by sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and harbor below. 

Silverado Resort

Napa, California

Located in Northern California’s famed wine country, the Silverado features a vast array of outdoor spaces and venues to keep groups socially distanced, including:

• The 4,290 sq.-ft. Fairway Deck, which sports panoramic vistas of the PGA South Golf Course and can accommodate up to 320;
• The 1,800 sq.-ft. Outside Terrace, with golf course views and can accommodate up to 120 guests; 
• The Arbor, featuring a beautiful spiral walkway leading into a brick-paved courtyard that is perfect for cocktail receptions or a post-event brunch for up to 250 guests;  
• The Grove, a romantic brick courtyard nestled between two golf courses that can accommodate up to 400; 
• Fairway Vineyards, which fronts the famous Silverado Vineyards and can accommodate up to 400 guests;
• Vintner’s Court, which overlooks the golf course and can host intimate dinner for up to 100 guests;  
• The 18,000 sq.-ft. indoor-outdoor Mansion Gardens, featuring a vineyard, lawn and seasonal 5,000-square-foot pavilion that can accommodate up to 3,000.

The Biltmore

Coral Gables, Florida

This historic property features more than 75,000 sq.-ft. of indoor-outdoor meeting and function space housed within the hotel and at the adjacent Conference Center of the Americas, including more than 20,000 sq.-ft. of outdoor function space, five indoor meeting spaces with private outdoor terraces and a 10,000 sq.-ft. grand outdoor terrace.

The Chase Park Plaza A Royal Sonesta St Louis

St. Louis

This stately hotel features the recently renovated 1,739 sq.-ft. Starlight and 1,620 sq. -t. Zodiac Terraces. Offering panoramic views of downtown St. Louis, the St. Louis Arch and Forest Park, each venue can service dinners for up to 60 and receptions for up to 100 people. The property also boasts an elegant, 629 sq. ft., Mediterranean-style pool deck for small, intimate meetings and receptions for up to 100. 

Rancho Bernardo Inn

San Diego, California

With 265 acres of sprawling lawns, verandas, fireplaces, fountains and gardens, the Inn offers planners a plethora of options for outdoor events. With 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor flexible meeting spaces, the property totals just over 80,000 square feet of outdoor meeting space.

The Watergate Hotel

Washington, D.C.

Steeped in notable if infamous history, The Watergate offers 10,000 square feet of upscale outdoor event spaces, including Top of the Gate rooftop lounge with stunning views of the Potomac River and Georgetown that can be fully or partially reserved for a private event, and the Kingbird Terrace, an al fresco dining patio along the river.

Vista Collina: Meritage Resort & Spa

Napa, California

For groups seeking an exclusive Napa Valley meeting experience, the Meritage and the adjacent Vista Collina Resort have 80,000 square feet of function space combined, including 43,000 square feet of outdoor space with covered terraces suitable for dinners for up to 300. The Meritage also offers a private 9-acre vineyard with an event deck, while Vista Collina features an expansive 16,000 sq.-ft. event lawn.

Looking for tips to make your next outdoor event a success? Go here!