At JAI, we’re all about creating memorable experiences. Our design philosophy revolves around crafting spaces that bring joy to those who experience them. We are committed to personalized service, ensuring each client feels profoundly valued. We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke, one-on-one experiences that prioritize our clients’ visions, objectives, financial parameters, project timelines, and return on investment.
Entertainment spaces are a crucial part of this ethos. As designers, we’re bringing the activities people enjoy with friends at home into hotels, providing opportunities for guests to indulge in their favorite pastimes while on the road. From upscale food halls to sports bars, virtual golf hubs, duck bowling, billiards, and pickleball – we’re ready to help you get out and play!
The Evolution and Future of Entertainment Space Design
This year, we’ve seen an increased demand for entertainment spaces. Post-pandemic, people are longing for a sense of togetherness and group activities. In the past, our focus was on designing activated lobbies and lounges. Now, we’re adding more elements – media walls, pool tables, and more – to meet the evolving needs of travelers. They value their time away and seek a balance between work and play. Our designs also incorporate outdoor elements indoors through virtual hubs, enabling guests to enjoy games like golf, baseball, and dodgeball indoors.
The Impact of Local Culture on Entertainment Spaces
The design of entertainment spaces is not an isolated process. The local culture and environment inherently shape it. For instance, at The Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando, our main guests are families visiting Disney. The need for entertainment spaces arises from the desire to provide these guests with various options on the resort property, especially after a long day at the parks or on their “off day.”
The Inspiration Behind the Project
The inspiration behind our new project at The Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando stems from a need identified within the property. We aim to create a hub where guests have a plethora of dining and entertainment options. Our goal is to design it in a way that feels fun yet seamlessly ties in with the natural landscape that surrounds the hotel.
The Unique Concept of Indoor-Outdoor Sports Bar
The concept of an indoor-outdoor sports bar is unique because it provides guests with the flexibility to choose their preferred setting – be it enjoying the night sky outside while their kids swim in the pool nearby or wanting to cool off indoors while watching or engaging in a lively sporting event. Situated within a sports bar restaurant, the atmosphere will be lively and fun, catering to our primary clientele – families vacationing at Disney.
The Blend of Dining and Entertainment
We envision the blend of experiential indoor play for adults and dining options fitting together seamlessly. The restaurant, being a sports bar, naturally allows for an entertainment element to tie into the concept. The food hall will feature vendors ranging from ice cream and pizza to Italian, Mexican, and salads, offering something for everyone. The use of technology will further enhance the guest experience, allowing them to order food poolside and have it delivered to them or easily picked up during a break from the water.
Influences from Armature Works in Tampa
Armature Works in Tampa influences our design and concept, which hosts multiple food vendors under one roof, each with a cohesive look yet distinguished branding. This elevated food & beverage experience is popping up across the United States. We aim to recreate a similar atmosphere on a smaller scale within our project.
Anticipated Challenges and Solutions
Being in the early concept stage, we anticipate potential challenges related to budget constraints. However, we always have Value Engineering (VE) options available to address these issues and ensure the successful execution of the project.
Aligning with Current Trends in Entertainment Spaces
People are looking for places to gather and enjoy all the amenities on the property. Given the location of the property near Disney and its popularity for large-scale conferences, this project will provide ample options for guests to stay on the property, thereby generating additional revenue.
Activating Underutilized Spaces
We plan to activate the underutilized bar and restaurant spaces to their fullest potential by expanding the restaurant to house multiple small-scale vendors and communal seating options. The bar will be expanded to an indoor/outdoor space bridging to the restaurant. The existing underutilized spa will be removed to make way for an additional full-service restaurant that connects the bar and entertainment areas. This makes it all an accessible area to guests and conveniently located close to the pools.
Transforming the Landscape of Entertainment and Dining Experiences
Currently, the resort has only two restaurants serving the entire property. Adding a bar and multiple food options will create a more enticing and easy experience for guests to stay on the property. Additional entertainment areas like mini bowling and virtual golf will provide more opportunities for guests to stay on the property, particularly during rainy days, contributing to additional revenue.
The Grove Resort and Water Park Orlando is set to become a memorable hub for families and guests looking to connect outside the theme parks. We are honored to work on a project that will significantly change the landscape of entertainment and dining experiences that will keep guests returning year after year. Stay tuned for more exciting details!
