Glass or PET? Choosing Bottled Water for Restaurants and Hotels in the UAE

Quick answer: Choose glass for table service, fine dining and hotel restaurants, where the bottle is presented and poured at the table. Choose PET for events, guest rooms, delivery, gyms and pool areas, where light weight and no breakage matter more. Most venues need both: 750 ml or 1 L glass bottles for tables, and 330 ml or 500 ml PET bottles for everything that moves. Store all bottled water away from sun and heat.

When is glass the right choice?

Glass suits any setting where water is part of the dining experience. A glass bottle opened at the table looks premium, can be chilled and poured by staff, and is inert, so it does not affect the taste of the water.

• Fine dining and hotel restaurants: 750 ml and 1 L bottles for the table, still and sparkling.
• Cafes and bars: 330 ml sparkling and 500 ml still bottles for single serves.
• Room service and lounges: smaller glass bottles that match the presentation of the tray or table.

The trade-offs are weight, breakage and storage space, and glass is usually kept away from pool decks and beaches for safety. The blue glass bottle of Solán de Cabras is a recognised design: it won a WorldStar packaging award, presented in 2008, and the returnable glass bottle the brand developed for hotels and restaurants received a Liderpack award in 2006.

When is PET the better choice?

PET bottles are light, shatterproof and resealable, which makes them practical wherever water travels or is handed out.

• Events and conferences: 330 ml and 500 ml bottles are easy to hand out and carry.
• Guest rooms: light bottles are simpler for housekeeping to stock and remove.
• Delivery and takeaway: no breakage in bags or on delivery bikes.
• Gyms, spas, pools and beaches: safe where glass is not allowed.
• Back of house: 1.5 L bottles for staff areas and kitchens.

Which bottle size suits each use?

The table shows the Solán de Cabras formats OMNIA supplies and where each one fits best.

How much water should you plan per guest?

Every venue is different, so treat these as starting points and adjust them with your own sales figures.

• Sit-down lunch or dinner: about one 750 ml bottle for every two guests, with a second bottle for longer meals.
• Banquets and set menus: one 1 L bottle for every three to four guests, placed on the table before service.
• Conferences and meetings: one 330 ml or 500 ml bottle per delegate per half-day session, refreshed after breaks.
• Guest rooms: for example, two 500 ml bottles per room, replaced daily.
• Outdoor events in warm months: plan extra stock and keep it chilled and shaded until it is needed.

Tip: For the first month of a new menu or venue, record how many still and sparkling bottles you use in each format. Set your standing order from those real numbers rather than estimates, and you will avoid both shortages and excess stock.

Should you offer still or sparkling water?

Offer both. Sparkling water pairs well with rich or fried food because the bubbles refresh the palate, while still water suits any dish. On the menu, name the brand, the type and the size, for example "Solán de Cabras natural mineral water, still or sparkling, 750 ml". Naming the source helps guests see that they are paying for natural mineral water rather than ordinary drinking water; our guide to natural mineral water vs drinking water explains the difference.

Solán de Cabras sparkling water received the Crystal Taste Award from the International Taste Institute in 2023.

How should you store bottled water in the UAE?

• Shade: keep cartons out of direct sunlight, including near windows and loading bays.
• Temperature: store water in a cool, dry, ventilated room, not in vehicles or outdoors for long periods.
• Odours: keep it away from cleaning chemicals, fuel and strong-smelling goods.
• Stacking: keep cartons off the floor and follow the stacking guidance on the packaging, especially for glass.
• Rotation: check best-before dates and use older stock first.
• Chilling: chill only what you expect to serve and keep the rest in the store room.

Where can you buy Solán de Cabras for your venue in the UAE?

Solán de Cabras is a natural mineral water from a spring in Beteta, in the Serranía de Cuenca mountains of Spain, at about 950 m above sea level. The spring has been recognised since 1790, and the water is bottled at source. Read more about Solán de Cabras.

OMNIA Food Trading imports Solán de Cabras for restaurants, hotels, caterers, offices and retailers across the UAE. Browse the natural mineral water collection and the sparkling range, or order at wholesale prices through the OMNIA B2B portal.

Frequently asked questions

Is glass or PET bottled water better for restaurants?

Glass suits table service and fine dining because it presents well and is opened and poured at the table. PET suits events, delivery, guest rooms, gyms and pool areas, where light weight and no breakage matter. Most venues use both.

What size of bottled water is best for a restaurant table?

A 750 ml glass bottle suits a table of two to three guests, a 1 L bottle suits larger tables, and 330 ml or 500 ml bottles suit single diners.

How much bottled water should I order for a conference?

A practical starting point is one 330 ml or 500 ml bottle per delegate per half-day session, plus reserve stock for breaks and warm weather.

How should bottled water be stored in the UAE?

In a cool, dry, shaded store away from direct sun, heat and strong odours, not in vehicles or outdoors, with cartons off the floor and older stock used first.

Where does Solán de Cabras water come from?

From a spring in Beteta, in the Serranía de Cuenca mountains of Spain, at about 950 m. The spring has been recognised since 1790 and the water is bottled at source.