At a hotel pool, the guest's first impression doesn't happen at the lounger. It happens at the gate. That's where they check in, pick up towels, ask about cabanas and decide whether this pool feels like an amenity or an afterthought.
We recently worked through this with the team at an urban resort-style pool in a busy downtown. They were setting next year's capital budget for pool upgrades. Their brief covered what we hear from most properties:
- One station that does three jobs: guest check-in, host stand and towel return.
- Seasonal and mobile: it sits just outside the pool gate in season and can move when the season ends.
- Shade for the staff: someone stands there for 8 hours in full sun.
- One look across the whole deck: the station, the towel bins and the carts should all match.
Here's how we approached it.
Shade is a staff problem first
Most pool podiums are designed for a photo, not for the person working behind them. Our Full-Service Station (FSN) has Bahama-style louvers on both sides. They open on gas shocks, so one person can raise them easily. Once they're up, they shade the attendant and the guest stepping up to check in.
When we showed the louvers, the client's answer was simple: "This is exactly what I'm looking for." A host who isn't baking in the sun all day is a better host.
Keep the guest side clean
Storage doors go on the host-facing side only. Guests see one clean, finished face. They don't see cabinet pulls, hinges or towel stacks. Behind the counter, staff get the storage they need for towels, supplies and a POS.
Towel return that doesn't look like laundry
Dirty towels are part of every pool day. They just shouldn't be the first thing guests see. We matched the station with an open-top towel return bin with a removable internal liner. Guests drop towels in easily, staff empty it quickly, and the bin is sized to the property's actual towel volume, not a catalog default.
For moving towels between the front and back of house, an optional mobile towel cart in the same finish keeps the look consistent all the way to the laundry door.
Built from components, not welded into one piece
Every Custom Beach piece is built to order from components. Panels, roof and doors can all be removed and replaced. That matters more than it sounds:
- A damaged panel is a part swap, not a full replacement.
- You can change the finish later without buying a new unit.
- A staffed host stand can be converted to self-service if your operation changes.
You're buying a station that can change with the property instead of being written off after a few seasons.
Choosing a finish
We offer three standard finishes, each with its own trade-offs:
| Finish | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Painted | Bold brand colors, crisp modern decks | Easy to touch up |
| Stained wood | A fresh, warm wood look | Easier to keep looking new than Kebony |
| Kebony | Teak-like warmth with very low maintenance | 50-year moisture and rot warranty; weathers to a silver-grey over time |
If you want the patina, choose Kebony. If you want the wood to look freshly finished in year five, choose stained.
Make it yours
Custom branding with your property name on the front panel is available as an add-on. It's a small detail that makes the station look like it was designed for your deck, because it was.
Planning next season's pool upgrades? Send us a photo of your pool entry and tell us what the station needs to do. We'll suggest a configuration and finish that fit your property. Contact Custom Beach →