We have all seen it happen at a commercial pool. A family is having a great time, splashing around and enjoying the sun. Then, inevitably, the hunger hits. The kids are starving, the parents are thirsty, and they look around for options. If all they see is a vending machine or a few uncomfortable plastic chairs roasting in the sun, they pack up and leave. That exit is a lost opportunity.
In the hospitality and recreation industry, dwell time is the metric that matters. The longer guests stay, the higher the perceived value of their membership or ticket, and the more money they spend on-site. The secret to keeping them there isn’t just adding more splash pads or taller water slides; it’s providing a comfortable, functional place to eat.
Upgrading your facility with a dedicated outdoor dining area turns a two-hour swim into an all-day event. However, designing for a wet, chlorinated environment is very different from setting up a standard restaurant patio. You are dealing with dripping swimsuits, barefoot traffic, and harsh chemical exposure.
If you are looking to build or renovate a dining space for your hotel, resort, or HOA pool, here is how to design a space that survives the elements and keeps your guests happy.
1. Define the Splash Zone vs. the Snack Zone
The biggest mistake in poolside design is a lack of separation. You do not want a stray volleyball landing in someone’s nachos, and you definitely don’t want a waiter tripping over a toddler. You need to create a visual and physical distinction between the active swim areas and the eating areas.
- The Buffer Zone: Try to maintain at least 10 to 15 feet between the water’s edge and the nearest table.
- Hardscaping Cues: Use different flooring materials to signal the transition. If the pool deck is cool-deck concrete, consider using pavers or a composite deck for the dining section. This subtle visual cue tells children, “No running,” without you having to put up a sign.
- Barriers: Low walls, planter boxes, or waist-high fencing can guide traffic flow, preventing wet swimmers from cutting directly through the dining tables to get to the restrooms.
2. Furniture that Fights Back (Chlorine and UV Resistance)
Commercial pool furniture takes a beating. It faces a triple threat: intense UV radiation, corrosive chlorine or saltwater, and the abrasive wear of sunscreen and wet fabric. If you buy standard patio furniture from a big-box store, it will look terrible in three months.
- Avoid Steel: Even powder-coated steel will eventually chip and rust, leaving ugly orange stains on your expensive pool deck.
- Choose Aluminum or Resin: Powder-coated aluminum is the gold standard because it cannot rust. High-density resin (often made to look like wicker) is another excellent choice as it stays cool to the touch and resists fading.
- The Sling Fabric: For seating, avoid thick, plush cushions. They act as sponges for pool water and take forever to dry, leading to mildew. Opt for sling-style chairs using quick-drying mesh fabrics (like Textilene). They are comfortable, easy to sanitize, and won’t leave your guests sitting in a puddle.
3. Shade is Non-Negotiable
Nobody wants to eat a burger while squinting in the blazing noon sun. If you don’t provide shade, your dining area will sit empty from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM—the prime lunch rush. You need a layered shade strategy.
- Structural Shade: Pergolas or permanent pavilions are great for the main serving area or bar. They define the space and offer the deepest cooling.
- Cantilever Umbrellas: These are essential for flexibility. As the sun moves across the sky, guests need to be able to adjust their shade. Look for commercial-grade umbrellas with heavy bases (to withstand wind gusts) and marine-grade fabric that won’t fade to a dull grey after one summer.
- Shade Sails: These tensioned fabric structures look modern and architectural. They are excellent for covering large clusters of picnic tables without requiring a pole in the middle of the floor plan.
4. Flooring and Slip Resistance
The transition from pool to table is the most dangerous part of the facility. A guest walking with a tray of food on wet feet is a slip-and-fall liability waiting to happen. The flooring in your eating area needs to have a high coefficient of friction, even when wet.
- Stamped Concrete: If you use concrete, ensure it has a textured finish or a non-slip additive in the sealer. Polished concrete looks sleek but is an ice rink when wet.
- Rubberized Safety Surfacing: This soft, porous material (often seen on playgrounds) is becoming popular for pool dining. It drains instantly, is soft on bare feet, and is virtually slip-proof.
- Drainage: Ensure the dining deck is graded properly so water doesn’t pool under the tables. Standing water breeds mosquitoes and makes the dining experience feel gross.
5. Managing Waste Management
Food attracts pests. In an outdoor setting, bees, wasps, and ants are the enemy of a good guest experience. Nothing clears a dining deck faster than a swarm of yellowjackets around the soda machine. Your waste management design needs to be strategic.
- The “Bee-Proof” Can: Do not use open-top trash cans. Invest in heavy-duty receptacles with self-closing flaps or heavy lids.
- Placement: Place trash and recycling bins at the perimeter of the dining area, downwind if possible. You want them accessible, but you don’t want them right next to the tables where people are eating.
- Frequent Patrols: Design your operational workflow so that staff are busing tables immediately. A half-empty soda can left on a table for ten minutes is a beacon for pests.
6. Lighting for the After-Dark Crowd
If your pool stays open into the evening, lighting can double your revenue window. The harsh floodlights used for pool safety are terrible for dining ambiance. You want to create a softer, warmer zone for the eaters.
- String Lights: Industrial-grade bistro lights strung overhead create an instant “resort” vibe.
- Path Lighting: Ensure the walkways back to the pool and restrooms are well-lit for safety.
- Table Lighting: Avoid real candles (fire hazard). Rechargeable LED table lamps can provide intimacy without the risk.
Building an outdoor eating area for a commercial pool is about more than just tossing a few picnic tables on the grass. It is about engineering a space that handles the unique challenges of a wet environment while offering the comfort of a restaurant.
When you get the layout, the materials, and the shade right, you stop being just a place to swim and start being a place to spend the day. You solve the guest’s problem (“I’m hungry”) and the facility’s problem (“How do we increase revenue?”) in one move.