Have you ever walked into a hotel and wondered ? 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 the senses when guests cross the threshold," says Christian Schulz, partner and design director at , a firm that does hospitality design.
Hotel Collection Diffuser Oils Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Salt Room Spray Westin White Tea Reed Diffuser Santorini Room Mist The Ritz-Carlton Spa Lavender & Bergamot Candle Compagnie de Provence Liquid Marseille Soap Member's Mark Seeded Eucalyptus Ceramic Reed Diffuser 1 Hotel Signature Kindling Scent In many cases, that involves discreet, commercial-grade diffusers, explains Caroline Fabrigas, CEO of , which develops signature fragrances for hotels. But you can get a similar effect in your own home with the right products. For starters, look for "quality, hand-crafted, ethically sourced non-petroleum-based soy or coconut wax candles," says Schulz.
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 even more specific, Schulz pinpointed fig and red currant as a classic hotel fragrance that's perfect for living rooms.
To make things even easier, some hotels sell their signature fragrances to the pub.