Where to Buy Commercial-Grade Fire Tables for Hotels in the UK

Fire tables have become a familiar sight across hotels, restaurants and outdoor hospitality spaces throughout the UK.

As hotels continue to invest in outdoor areas that feel just as welcoming as their interiors, a common question comes up: what are the best fire table options for outdoor hotel patios?

In a hotel environment, a fire table needs to cope with frequent use, public access and unpredictable weather — all while feeling effortless for guests and manageable for staff.

What Does “Commercial-Grade” Fire Table Mean and Why Does It Matter?

When people search for the best fire table options for outdoor hotel patios, they’re rarely just thinking about how something looks. They’re trying to understand what will actually perform well once the space fills up and the evening takes on a life of its own.

A commercial-grade fire table is designed with that reality in mind. Guests lean into the flames, rest drinks on table edges and treat the fire table as part of the social setting rather than a decorative feature. The table needs to feel dependable in that moment — not delicate.

One of the first things you notice with a true commercial fire table is its weight. These are solid, grounded pieces designed to stay put in busy environments. Weight isn’t just a sign of quality; it plays a direct role in safety and stability. In high-footfall hotel settings, a heavier fire table is far less likely to shift if someone leans against it or if furniture moves closer during service.

Many hotel fire tables are built from glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC), a strong material regularly specified for hospitality and high-end residential projects. GFRC delivers the presence of real concrete while offering far better resistance to cracking, repeated heat cycles, rain, frost and everyday wear.

Our models like the Manhattan Fire Table and the Elementi Granville are permanent fire tables which both high-end hotel owners and their guests love. These models offer reassuring strength and have wind guards. The glass surround fitted above the burner helps protect guests from accidental contact with the flame while also shielding it from breezes that can cause flames to flicker or blow out. 

Top-Rated Fire Table Brands for Hotel Terrace Use

In our experience, hotel owners are usually looking for aesthetics that match the upscale surroundings and tastes of discerning guests who know quality when they see it. In hospitality settings, a brand’s reputation is built on consistency, durability and how well its products perform once exposed to real-world use.

At Ice Cold Spice, we specifically source fire tables that are proudly specified for commercial terraces, courtyards, outdoor lounges and private clients across the UK. This ensures our customers access manufacturer-backed warranties, consistent build quality and informed guidance.

Gas vs Wood: Why Gas Fire Tables Make More Sense for Hotels

In professional, design-led or luxury hospitality settings, gas fire tables tend to make far more sense than traditional wood-burning alternatives. These environments are built around consistency — consistent service, consistent presentation and predictable guest experience — and gas aligns naturally with that expectation.

Wood fires certainly have their place. In rural retreats, countryside lodges or glamping-style environments, the ritual of lighting a fire and the smell of burning wood can feel atmospheric and intentional. In those settings, guests often expect a more hands-on, rustic experience, and the operational demands of a wood fire are part of the charm.

In hotels, however, those same characteristics can quickly become drawbacks. Wood fires introduce smoke, sparks and ash, all of which require close supervision. In busy hotel terraces or courtyard lounges, this can disrupt service, affect air quality and compromise the clean, polished feel many guests expect.

Gas fire tables offer a calmer, more controlled alternative. They ignite instantly, produce a steady, adjustable flame and are easy for staff to operate without specialist training. There’s no smoke drifting across terraces, no ash to clear between services and no embers landing where they shouldn’t. That predictability allows outdoor spaces to function as true extensions of bars, lounges and dining areas.

For these reasons, gas fire tables have become the preferred choice for hotels and professionally run hospitality venues, where comfort, cleanliness and operational reliability matter just as much as atmosphere. Design-led hotels often gravitate towards models such as the Elementi Metropolis, a stunning gas fuelled fire table with the option for propane or natural gas fuel.

Should I Choose a Natural Gas Fire Table or Propane Gas Fire Table?

Both natural gas and propane fire tables are widely used in hotel environments, and the right choice usually comes down to infrastructure and how the outdoor space is operated day to day.

Natural gas fire tables are ideal for permanent installations. Once professionally connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer, they provide uninterrupted operation without the need to change bottles or monitor fuel levels. This makes them particularly well suited to fixed seating layouts and hotel patios where furniture placement is unlikely to change and the fire table is expected to operate for long periods each evening with minimal staff intervention.

Propane fire tables offer greater flexibility. The gas bottle is typically housed within the base of the table, allowing layouts to evolve seasonally or adapt for events. That flexibility can be valuable, especially in courtyards or terraces that change function throughout the year.

From an operational perspective, propane does require a little more planning. A standard 13kg propane bottle will typically provide 8 to 10 hours of burn time, depending on flame height and usage patterns. In hotel settings, this usually means refuelling every one to two evenings during regular service, or more frequently if the fire table is run at higher output for extended periods.

How to Install a Fire Table Safely in a Hotel Outdoor Lounge

Installing a fire table safely in a hotel outdoor lounge isn’t about following a single rule — it’s about understanding how fuel type, table weight and guest movement interact in real life. That planning starts well before the fire table ever reaches its final position.

Many commercial-grade fire tables, particularly concrete or GFRC models, are substantial in weight. Delivery is typically made to the kerbside, and the final move into place needs to be planned in advance. These are not items a single person should attempt to lift or manoeuvre.

In UK hotel settings, this stage is usually handled by facilities teams or external contractors experienced in positioning heavy outdoor furniture and architectural features. This commonly involves manual handling equipment such as heavy-duty furniture dollies, pallet trucks, lifting straps or skates. Where steps, slopes or uneven surfaces are involved, installers may also use site trolleys, temporary ramps or winch systems to move the table safely into position.

The tradespeople most often involved are landscapers, grounds maintenance contractors, outdoor furniture installers or general site contractors. Once positioned, natural gas fire tables must always be connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer, while propane fire tables require careful placement to ensure ventilation, stability and safe bottle access.

Affordable Fire Tables Designed for Hospitality Venues

In hospitality, “affordable” rarely means cheap — and decision-makers who understand this are usually the ones running the most successful outdoor spaces. For hotels that care about guest safety, reliability and commercial performance, £1,200 is a sensible minimum starting budget for a fire table intended for public use.

Fire tables priced significantly below this level are typically lighter, built from thinner materials and designed for occasional domestic use. In a busy hotel environment, that can quickly become a liability — introducing instability, faster wear and limited warranty support.

A well-chosen fire table should instead be viewed as part of a profit building outdoor space. When guests are warm and comfortable, they stay longer. When they stay longer, they order another drink, more food and return to the space later. This is particularly key during shoulder seasons when terraces would otherwise empty early.

Hotels that invest in proper fire tables often see this effect almost immediately. Dwell time increases and the outdoor space starts to function as a true extension of the bar or restaurant, rather than a seasonal extra. From that perspective, the fire table isn’t a cost to be minimised — it’s a piece of infrastructure that supports revenue and guest satisfaction simultaneously. A strong revenue-generating fire table is the Lafite.

Affordable fire tables designed for hospitality venues are therefore those that deliver reliable performance over time. That usually means robust materials such as concrete or GFRC, proven gas systems and a clear manufacturer warranty — commonly around two years — that reflects confidence in the product’s construction.

One model that's recognised for quietly paying for itself night after night is the Lafite Barrel Fire Table.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the best fire table options for outdoor hotel patios are the ones that balance presence, safety and long-term reliability. A table that looks impressive on day one but struggles with daily use rarely delivers the experience guests expect.

If you’re researching where to buy commercial-grade fire tables for hotels in the UK, it’s worth choosing a supplier that understands both the practical demands of hospitality and design expectations.