Hotel Fire Pits: How to Choose One for Your Property
The best hotel fire pit is a gas fire table in the 48" to 72" range, sized to the number of chairs around it and certified for outdoor use. It lights without fuss, burns without smoke, and gives guests a reason to stay out after dinner. Here is how I would choose one for your property, including the parts that are easy to miss.
I'm Kristin, the founder of Optimal Outdoor Oasis. We sell fire pits, outdoor furniture and shade structures, and more and more boutique hotel owners are asking me about fire. This guide is what I tell them.
What Kind of Fire Pit Works for a Boutique Hotel?
For almost every hotel, the answer is a gas fire table. You get a steady flame, no ash to sweep, no sparks, and no smoke drifting into a guest room window. A gas fire pit table also gives guests a ledge for drinks, which is half the reason people gather around one.
Concrete tables suit a modern, quiet look. Our concrete fire pit tables are made from glass-fiber reinforced concrete, which is lighter and less prone to cracking than poured concrete. Metal tables in copper, corten and stainless steel lean warmer and more rustic.
If you are still deciding between a bowl, a pit and a table, I wrote a separate guide on how to pick the best outdoor fire feature.
How Big Should a Hotel Fire Pit Be?
Size it to the seating, not to the space. A 48" table comfortably serves four to six chairs. A 60" to 72" table serves eight or more and works better on a terrace where guests come and go.
Leave about three feet between the edge of the fire and any chair so guests can walk behind it. Round tables are friendlier for conversation, and long linear tables look better along a pool deck or a wall. Our square vs. round fire pit guide walks through the trade-offs.
One warning on size. The very large tables, such as the Coronado at 84" and above, arrive by freight and need a forklift at your end to unload. If you do not have one, stay at 72" or smaller.
Should a Hotel Use Gas or Wood?
Gas is the safer choice for most hotels. Wood adds smoke, ash and embers, and some cities restrict open wood fires on commercial property. A wood or charcoal piece like the Arteflame One Series 30" grill is a great showpiece for an outdoor kitchen or chef's table, but I would check your local rules before putting one near guests.
For gas, the ignition matters more than people expect. Match-lit is the simplest. An electronic ignition is easier for staff who do not want to carry a lighter. I explain the difference in match-light vs. mercury safety pilot.
If you are putting the fire on a wooden deck, read can you put a fire pit on a wood deck first.
What Will an Inspector or Insurer Ask About?
They will ask whether the fire pit is certified, and where the gas line runs. Look for a table that carries a certification for outdoor decorative gas appliances. The fire tables from The Outdoor Plus are certified by CSA to the US standard for outdoor fireplaces (ANSI Z21.97), and the certificate is public, so I can send it to you.
Your local fire marshal and your insurance carrier have the final say on placement, distance from buildings and whether a licensed gas fitter has to connect the line. Ask them before you order, not after the table arrives.
What Will Surprise You About Buying a Hotel Fire Pit?
Four things, and I would rather you hear them from me now.
- It takes time. These tables are built to order. Plan on four to six weeks from order to your door, so do not wait until the week before an event.
- Delivery stops at the dock. The Outdoor Plus delivers to a hotel loading dock, but moving a heavy table onto a terrace is your job, so plan two or three people or the right equipment.
- Sales are final. Because each one is made for you, there are no returns, and cancelling after 48 hours carries a fee, so confirm the size and finish first.
- The warranty is shorter for hotels. The burner ring and burner bars keep a lifetime warranty. For a commercial installation, the electronics, gas valves and pilot assembly are covered for 6 months (1 year for a home), and the stainless steel and aluminum pans for 1 year (5 years for a home). Read the maker's warranty before you order.
Which Fire Tables Would I Look at First?
- The Outdoor Plus Del Mar 48" and Del Mar 60": a clean concrete table in a range of finishes. The one I would start with for a terrace.
- The Outdoor Plus Coronado 48" to 72": a metal table in copper, corten or stainless steel for a warmer look.
- Del Mar 48" with a glass wind guard: the glass keeps the flame steady on a breezy patio and lets guests see across the fire.
- Ledge Lounger Halo fire pit: a fire pit that hides its propane tank inside the base, which keeps a poolside or terrace looking clean.
Can You Quote Several Fire Pits for My Property?
Yes. Call or text us at 1 800 914 0074 or 352 274 6387, and texting is fine. Tell us how many guests you want around the fire, where it will sit, and whether you have natural gas or propane, and we will help you choose the size for free. If you are furnishing the rest of the space too, ask us about the seating and shade that go with it.
One honest note on price. The Outdoor Plus does not discount small multi-table orders. A real volume discount only comes with a full truckload, so I will tell you straight if one is realistic for your project.
I would rather tell you the honest lead time and the delivery limits today than have them surprise you in a month.