POLYWOOD
Shaping the Future of Outdoor Guest Experiences

Megan Pierson, EVP of Business Development

Outdoor spaces have undergone a remarkable transformation in the hospitality sector.

Once viewed as supplementary amenities, patios, pool decks, rooftop lounges, and open-air gathering areas have become central to the guest experience. Resorts, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues increasingly recognize that some of their most memorable moments occur outside, where guests connect, relax, celebrate, and create lasting impressions.

POLYWOOD has positioned itself at the center of this evolution, helping hospitality organizations create outdoor environments that are as intentional, comfortable, and impactful as their interior spaces. Being vertically integrated and manufacturing in the U.S., the company maintains greater control over quality, production, and lead times, which is especially important to hospitality customers.

“Hospitality is ultimately about creating experiences. Some of the most memorable moments happen outdoors, whether guests are gathering around a firepit, relaxing poolside, or sharing a meal on a terrace. At POLYWOOD, we believe our role is to help hospitality partners create those moments while making outdoor spaces beautiful, durable, and easy to maintain,” says Megan Pierson, EVP of business development

Elevating Spaces beyond Furniture

For POLYWOOD, outdoor furniture is only part of a much larger conversation. The company approaches hospitality through the lens of experience creation, understanding that furniture plays a critical role in shaping how guests interact with a property. Every product is designed to contribute to an environment that feels welcoming, functional, and memorable while supporting the operational realities hospitality teams face every day.

This perspective has allowed the company to move beyond simply supplying outdoor furnishings. Instead, it focuses on helping hospitality partners create destinations within destinations, whether that means a poolside retreat, a restaurant terrace, a firepit gathering area, or a rooftop social hub. As outdoor spaces continue to gain prominence, POLYWOOD’s role has expanded alongside them.

“As outdoor spaces have become a more important part of the guest experience, we focus on creating products that help hospitality partners bring those spaces to life through thoughtful design, lasting performance, and an experience that feels intentional from the first impression through years of use,” says Pierson.

Design, Comfort, and Performance in Balance

Hospitality environments demand a unique combination of qualities. Guests expect attractive and comfortable settings, while operators require products capable of enduring heavy use with minimal maintenance. POLYWOOD addresses both needs through a design philosophy that refuses to treat aesthetics, comfort, and functionality as competing priorities. The goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for designers, owners, operators, and procurement teams.

Whether furnishing a resort pool deck, restaurant patio, educational campus, or luxury rooftop venue, the company begins by considering how people will use the space. Comfort influences how long guests stay. Design shapes first impressions. Durability determines whether the experience remains consistent over time. By integrating all three elements into product development, POLYWOOD helps customers create environments that remain inviting year after year.

The company also broadens its definition of innovation. Rather than focusing exclusively on introducing new collections, it continually explores improvements in materials, manufacturing processes, visualization tools, customer experiences, and product performance. This approach ensures innovation remains tied to practical outcomes rather than novelty alone.

"At POLYWOOD, we believe being a great partner extends beyond providing great furniture. From design assistance and space planning to dedicated commercial support, our goal is to make the entire process as seamless as possible so our customers can focus on creating exceptional guest experiences,” says Pierson.

Built for Demanding Hospitality Environments

Durability remains one of the defining characteristics of the POLYWOOD brand. Hospitality spaces experience constant exposure to guests, weather, sunlight, moisture, and changing environmental conditions. Maintaining appearance and performance under those circumstances requires materials specifically engineered for long-term use. Durability, ease of maintenance, and long-term performance all contribute to operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.

POLYWOOD’s proprietary ClimateTuff™ material and POLYWOOD Select™ offerings were developed to meet those demands. The company combines elevated aesthetics with performance characteristics designed to withstand challenging environments, including coastal locations, intense sunlight, and high-traffic commercial settings.

Testing plays a central role in validating that performance. Products undergo extensive evaluations that simulate years of real-world exposure and use. Seating is tested to rigorous standards, while accelerated UV testing, salt spray testing, structural assessments, and environmental exposure evaluations help verify long-term durability. The goal is not simply product longevity but preserving the appearance and guest experience that hospitality brands work hard to create.

Listening as a Strategy for Innovation

POLYWOOD’s growth has been shaped by a commitment to understanding how products perform after installation. The company gathers insights through direct customer conversations, surveys, reviews, sales interactions, and customer service engagements. For hospitality customers, this feedback provides valuable information about how furnishings function within active guest environments.

The company supplements those insights with technology and advanced analytics. Rather than relying solely on assumptions about market demand, the company uses real-world information to guide decisions. This disciplined approach allows products and services to evolve alongside changing hospitality needs while maintaining a strong connection to customer priorities.

A Practical Approach to Sustainability

Sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for hospitality organizations seeking long-term value and responsible operations. POLYWOOD approaches sustainability as an outcome of thoughtful business practices rather than a separate initiative.

As a vertically integrated manufacturer operating in the United States, the company maintains visibility throughout its production process. Its build-to-order model helps reduce excess inventory and unnecessary waste, while production scrap is continually reintegrated into manufacturing operations whenever possible.

The company also views durability as a meaningful contributor to sustainability. Products designed to last longer require fewer replacements, reducing material consumption and supporting lower lifecycle impacts. For hospitality operators, that durability translates into practical value while aligning with broader environmental goals.

Expanding the Possibilities of Outdoor Living

As outdoor hospitality spaces continue evolving, POLYWOOD is expanding its product categories and capabilities to meet emerging demands. The company has introduced solutions that extend beyond traditional furniture, including in-pool products, planters, accessory offerings, towel stations, waste receptacles, and other elements that contribute to a complete outdoor environment.

These additions stem from a broader understanding of how outdoor environments are being used and how guest expectations continue to evolve across hospitality settings.

Creating the Future of Hospitality Outdoors

POLYWOOD believes the future of outdoor hospitality lies in creating spaces that deliver exceptional experiences while remaining practical to operate and maintain. The company’s ongoing investments in product development, analytics, customer insight, accessibility, and material innovation support that vision.

Supporting this momentum is a culture that places customers at the center of every decision. POLYWOOD brings together professionals with deep experience across commercial markets, manufacturing, product development, and customer engagement. That collective expertise allows teams to collaborate closely while maintaining a consistent focus on customer outcomes. Internally, the organization emphasizes partnership, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring insights from the field quickly inform product enhancements and service strategies. This alignment between culture and execution strengthens the company’s ability to respond to changing market conditions while delivering reliable support to hospitality partners seeking long-term success. It also encourages agility, consistency, trust, and measurable results for customers.

“Innovation is more than creating furniture. It is about helping hospitality partners create better outdoor experiences for their guests while making those spaces easier to operate and maintain over time,” Pierson explains.

That philosophy captures the company’s position within the hospitality industry today. As outdoor environments become increasingly central to how guests experience properties, POLYWOOD continues to help organizations transform those spaces into destinations that inspire connection, comfort, and lasting memories. By combining thoughtful design, proven durability, customer-driven innovation, and operational practicality, the company is helping redefine what outdoor hospitality can achieve.

“Ultimately, our goal isn't simply to furnish outdoor spaces. It's to help hospitality partners create places where people gather, reconnect, celebrate, and create memories. We believe that's where great hospitality begins,” says Pierson.