One of life’s greatest pleasures is being outdoors under the cool shade of a canopy. The warm air alive with the smell of summer, whilst you enjoy chilled refreshments and watch the world go by.

Awnings are remarkable features that have been around since ancient Egypt, where woven sheets of raw leaves like pampas grass or reams of cloth kept people cool in the baking sunshine.

An elegant awning can add a beautiful opulence to the facade of a building. When designing each hotel, it was important to ensure that as much outside space as possible is utilised. After all, it’s so easy to spend your whole day cooped up inside when you are in a city unless there is a beautiful exterior spot to enjoy.

At Ham Yard Hotel, we created a wonderful leafy courtyard. Our restaurant doors spill out into this space, where crisp white awnings offer a serene escape from the bustling streets beyond.

On the Roof Terrace, you will find yourself stepping into a garden of Eden. Rattan outdoor seating with fresh green upholstery sits alongside our vegetable garden whilst the beehives hum in the background.

Above we have installed a canvas canopy, which allows people to enjoy the space come rain or shine. Hanging down from the canopy is a beautiful array of wicker orb lights, each at different heights casting a warm glow across the space.

In New York, our terrace and Sculpture Garden at Crosby Street Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy all that the bar and restaurant has to offer. We love to spend an afternoon under the shade of a canopy in this green oasis in SoHo, enjoying nectar like cocktails or freshly squeezed juices.

The Refuel Bar at The Soho Hotel, which will reopen on 1st September, is the perfect pit stop as you wander through Soho in London. The restaurant entrance facade is clad in sage green London tiles, with aged bronze signage. Above the steps is a striking cream awning with proud lettering, leading you through to a cosy banquette seated area covered in my ‘Lost & Found’ fabric (the outdoor version) which is available through Christopher Farr Cloth.

Several streets over is our regal Charlotte Street Hotel. The raised Oscar Bar terrace along the facade of the hotel is a favourite spot for an evening cocktail. Sea-foam coloured outdoor tables and chairs sit amongst olive trees. Above, the smart tailored awnings in a grey and white stripe, offer shade and shelter for diners. We are counting down the days until Oscar Bar and Restaurant reopens on 1st September, and we can’t wait for a glass of their famous Oscar’s Gin.

As we slowly start to regain normality and our hotels open their doors to you, we hope to see you dining alfresco and making the most of the late summer sunshine.