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Scent-sational! Here's how to make your home smell like a luxury hotel
Hospitality pros reveal the secrets behind some of the best hotel scents and what to buy for vacation vibes in your own place.
Have you ever walked into a hotel and wondered how do they get it to smell so good in here? You're not the only one. Creating the best hotel scents is a big business, and many resorts and spas work with consultants to get theirs just right. "Hotels want to stimulate all the senses when guests cross the threshold," says Christian Schulz, partner and design director at Studio Collective, a firm that does hospitality design.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa Lavender & Bergamot Candle
1 Hotel Signature Kindling Scent
Hotel Collection Diffuser Oils
Westin White Tea Reed Diffuser
Ceramic Reed Diffuser
Luna Sundara Palo Santo Sticks
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Salt Room Spray
Santorini Room Mist
Member's Mark Seeded Eucalyptus
Compagnie de Provence Liquid Marseille Soap
Atelier Bloem Mandarin & Citrus Bar Soap
In many cases, that involves discreet, commercial-grade diffusers, explains Caroline Fabrigas, CEO of Scent Marketing Inc., which develops signature fragrances for hotels. But you can get a similar effect in your own home with the right products.
The exact aroma you choose comes down to personal preference, but many hotels use woodsy and/or citrus scents (think: sandalwood, cedar, grapefruit and lemon). "Woody based scents bring a wonderful sense of comfort and grounding to the home," says Fabrigas. If you want to get more specific, Schulz pinpointed fig and red currant as a classic hotel fragrance perfect for living rooms. To make things even easier, some hotels sell their signature fragrances as candles, reed diffusers and room sprays (Fabrigas's company does this for its clients at ScentFluence.com). Read on for tips — and aromatic picks that'll make you say ahhhh.
Spring for quality candles
Nothing against the $10 candles at big-box stores, but if you're focused on creating a luxurious whole-home fragrance, you may want to spend a bit more. Look for "hand-crafted, ethically sourced non-petroleum-based soy or coconut wax candles with lead-free cloth or wooden wicks," says Schulz. The upside is that these higher-end candles generally last longer!
Even if you've never stayed at the Ritz, you can imagine how decadent a trip there would be. This candle smells like the hotel's legendary spa, with relaxing notes of lavender. It's the perfect gift for your fanciest friend — it even comes in a box with a bow.
1 Hotel in New York City is famous in part for its luxe lobby scent, which combines sheer musk, tree moss and cedar. I admit this particular candle is not cheap — the price listed is for a votive — but it's Schulz's all-time favorite hotel fragrance and it also happens to have been created by Fabrigas's company, Scentfluence, where it's a best-seller. Consider me sold.
Layer in diffusers
If you're looking for consistent fragrance in a certain space, reed and plug-in diffusers are the way to go. (You can always burn a candle too, but make sure the combo of scents isn't too heavy!) Fabrigas says that some of her clients will even bring USB scent sticks in the car "so they can take their favorite scent on the road."
You can use this trio of oils, which were inspired by five-star hotels, in any ultrasonic, ceramic or car diffuser. Each bottle features a difference combination of scents, so you can mix it up depending on your mood.
One whiff of this beloved Westin hotel scent and you may think you've been whisked away to a spa. Notes of warm cedar and vanilla are blended with freesia for a fragrance that's refreshing but also very cozy. One diffuser should last for two months — about as long as the summer vacations you had as a kid!
This diffuser looks like a tiny piece of pottery that would make a lovely addition to a bathroom counter or bookshelf. Choose from five chichi fragrances, including Black Velvet, which has notes of wood, rose and fig (and is inspired by The Edition Hotel New York) and the refreshing 24K Magic, which smells of lemongrass and jasmine (and is inspired by W Hotels).
Burn palo santo sticks
If you like the idea of a diffuser or incense but want a more natural fragrance, Schulz and his wife are big fans of palo santo sticks, which they first learned about in Mexico. "We often burn a few each night when we get home from work to set our brains at ease and transport us to another place," he says.
Luna Sundara works with farmers in Peru to ethically source its palo santo sticks. This set comes with a drawstring bag, but I highly recommend you splurge on the set that includes a handmade ceramic holder for $35 — the design is beautiful!
Spritz your sheets
A room or linen spray can do wonders transforming your bedroom into an oasis. Schulz recommends scents like lavender, sage and sandalwood, which are calming and encourage you to relax. But really, pick any fragrance that will transport you! All you need is a light misting to do the trick.
Sea salt is another of Schulz's go-to fragrances, and this spray has a clean, fresh scent that'll transport you right to the beach. More than 1,200 shoppers have given it a near-perfect 4.7 stars, with one fan commenting, "This smells SO amazing. It is a fresh scent but non overly 'linen'-esque. Smells like a fancy hotel or spa. Obsessed! I’d wear this as a perfume."
This best-selling spray captures one of Schulz's favorite combinations, fig and currant, plus it has notes of sandalwood and amber. A few spritzes will get your bed sheets smelling heavenly ... now all you need is a fluffy robe and some delicious delivery to complete the stay-cation.
Hang fresh eucalyptus
"The stalks look beautiful and the humidity from the shower brings out the essential oils as a natural refresher," says Schulz. You can hang them in your shower for spa-like vibes or arrange a bunch in a vase on the sink.
I'm going to let you in on a little home-editor secret: Warehouse stores like Sam's Club are a great, affordable source for fresh flowers and greenery (this price is for a whopping 40 stems!). You can also often find fresh eucalyptus at flower shops and some grocery stores.
Suds up with a citrusy soap
If you've ever grabbed those little bottles of soap and shampoo from your room (no judgment!), you know the appeal of a good hotel toiletry. Both Schulz and Fabrigas love zesty citrus scents because they're fresh and uplifting. Place hand soaps that feature grapefruit, orange or lemon by every sink — they'll really wake up your senses!
This grapefruit-smelling soap will leave your skin super soft. Schulz uses this in his own bathroom, then finishes up with "a light sea salt or fig hand cream," he says.
These petite hand and body soaps are the exact ones you'll find in Kimpton hotels across the country. Stash them in your guest bathroom for when you have overnight visitors — they'll appreciate the luxe touch.
