Summer Party Ideas for Hotels
Although a hotel summer party has many options that a winter one wouldn’t, that doesn’t mean that everything will be available, as you have to be outside. Most likely, you will not have to worry about rain. Most likely. this is England!
If a hotel has nice grounds, a garden party will likely be a good choice. You can barbecue, put some music on, and feel less formal than being locked up in a function room. Most hotels get used to this sort of outdoor activity and will have ideas on what works, so feel free to ask. You will, however, need to know what their procedures are in the event of bad weather, as summer in the UK can be very unpredictable, and will likely call for a backup plan.
Of course, summer means BBQs. Hotels will have BBQ packages available as BBQs mean less of a formal setup. Guests can take food and help themselves, which is a great setup for mingling and standing around, rather than being seated for dinners. Just ensure there are good vegan options and they aren’t just sad veggie burgers.
Some hotels – mostly the fancier ones – are doing pool parties. Not every hotel is going to be up for this though. Liability is always a concern. It can be a lot of fun for the right group, but this is probably not for colleagues as someone is bound to get out of control and do something irresponsible.
Cocktail parties are a classic summer go to and are frequently done and liked with a courtyard or terrace setting. Outdoor bars are a classic hotel offer and many hotels can easily arrange that. It is smart casual and gets people mingling thanks to the summer weather. It’s amazing how much string lighting and lanterns can elevate a simple outdoor setting.
Summers afternoon parties are a great option and are often underestimated. People are less likely to stay out until the early hours of the morning and get too drunk instead of going to a 7 or 8 pm event. It makes a hotel happier too since they can most likely fill their evening slots with other bookings.
As long as there is enough room and the right team in place, yard games work well as an activity and an ice-breaker. Hotels with open green space will sometimes allow you to bring giant Jenga, or lawn games like croquet. It’s a little cheesy, but it can be relaxin, especially for people who don’t mind a more laid back activitiy. But don’t take a chance on it – if your team is going to sit back and watch, you’ll just have expensive equipment taking up space, and no one wants that.
When the weather is right, there’s nothing like dining outdoors. Picture long tables, a big meal, a little wine, and a sunset in the background. Hotels regularly set this up for wedding receptions, so they will have the experience and know-how. Just be sure to plan your timing right so it doesn’t get too dark or too cold before you all finish your meal.
Having a roof terrace is a big plus. Not all hotels have them, so you’d have to check ahead. But for the ones that do, they’re often available for private events. The terrace will have great views, and the higher elevation definitely gives it a unique feel. Just keep in mind that roof terraces usually work best for smaller groups.
Popular themes for summer include the beach however it is a little overdone but people still like it. Spanish or Mediterranean themes work well with the season. You can never go wrong with a garden party with floral decorations. If the group is active a sports day theme is always fun. Keep in mind not to go too heavy on theming, sometimes just “summer party” is enough.
For summer parties a standard bar setup is not really the go to. Having a Pimm’s bar is very British summer. You want cocktails rather than wintery spirits, cold beer is always a summer must. Make sure to have a variety of non alcoholic drinks and a lot of water because people tend to get dehydrated when outside and drinking.
When it comes to summer, timing is important because the days are long. You can run evening events later, but you
Everybody loves summer events! But summer party attire has to be kept in mind for guest comfort. If you are organising an outdoor summer party and have to pick attire type and it’s a scorching 28 degrees, guests are going to be dressed in formal attire, sweating and miserable. I recommend smart casual formatt. That way, guests can dress down, wear sundresses and shorts. Much more comfortable for summer.
Another thing you have to take into consideration is how much of the event is outside. A full outdoor event sounds amazing, but you have to take into consideration if there are shaded areas. If not, guests are going to be unbearably roasting to the point where they’ll want to leave the event. A simple solution for the guests is to have an indoor lounge area.
Make sure you do have access to an outdoor bathroom and to an indoor bathroom. It can get annoying if people going to the bathroom have to walk all the way inside every time. You’re summer parties are going to be a lot easier to organise if you do have a hotel. You have a lot more flexibility. If it’s really hot you can go indoors to the hotel, and if it’s not too hot you can out outdoor. It’s a lot more summery based than just a windowless indoor function room.