Vancouver experiences a very small window of summer weather. Taking advantage of that warm weather when planning an unforgettable patio party is a must, whether for a corporate event or a personal, more intimate event.
Vancouver’s Shangri-La Hotel is home to a picturesque terrace that spans an entire city block. This hidden gem in the city’s downtown core allows guests to enjoy the summer weather while still receiving luxury service, says Shangri-La director of events Stephanie Lou-Hing. Patio parties – particularly themed ones – are extremely trendy right now.
“We find that a lot of our clients are leaning towards something a little more relaxed and casual than formal,” says Lou-Hing. “Rather than something like a multi-course dinner for a client appreciation or staff appreciation, a lot of our clients are choosing to have more fun with their cocktail receptions.”
Location, location, location
Hotels like Shangri-La – a boutique, five-diamond property – can take a work patio party to the next level in food, entertainment and fun. But it’s the hotel’s proximity to the Vancouver corporate sector that makes it a truly ideal location.
“A lot of our clients come from directly within the [corporate] downtown core,” says Lou-Hing.
The hotel is a five-minute walk from the Burrard SkyTrain station, making it an easy-to-access, prime spot. The terrace itself can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Vancouver’s spotty weather can be a struggle when planning an outdoor event, but the Conway Terrace at Shangri-La is tented and heated, just in case. The hotel’s planners like to think ahead, and keep a backup indoor space available for worst-case scenarios.
Getting in on the trend
When planning a patio party, choosing a theme is a trendy option.
“We are always keeping our eyes on industry trends, finding inspirations to keep things new, interesting and dynamic,” says Lou-Hing.
Recently, a client decided to transform the outdoor terrace into a park by adding greenery and park benches to the Shangri-La terrace’s decor.
“There is already beautiful foliage on the terrace itself, but they decided to enhance that by laying down premium artificial turf on the terrace, so it felt and looked like a park,” says Lou-Hing.
The clients also installed a photo wall and selfie station. Entertainment is key for bringing a patio party together.
“Our event managers will find out what kind of vibe the client is looking for,” says Lou-Hing. “We’ve had a guitarist that is open to taking requests that really personalize the music to what the guests are enjoying at the moment.”
Food and drink
A standout patio party needs a unique boozy cold treat, and for Shangri-La that is the rosé popsicle made with local berries.
“It incorporates a little nostalgia from childhood,” says Lou-Hing. “It’s a really great Instagram-able moment as well. It’s important to think about how the event can be easily shared on Instagram and Facebook, so they can share the experience with friends.”
Shangri-La specializes in interactive food stations that can be located in different rooms. These chef-attended stations help add a personal, friendly touch.
Executive chef Ken Nakano is all about local ingredients and utilizing sustainable items, says Lou-Hing. All of the hotel’s menus use Ocean Wise-approved seafood and favour seasonal ingredients.
“The majority of our clients will opt for a customized menu,” says Lou-Hing. “Our chefs get excited to hear the client’s inspiration and ideas, and will create a custom themed menu that helps bring their vision to life.”
Shangri-La’s accommodating setting gives clients the flexibility to be really creative with their party planning.
“Our team is very experienced, so we’ve seen all types of themed events,” says Lou-Hing. “We are event specialists, and can help guests achieve the vision they’re looking for.”
