Our favorite signature hotel fragrances

When it comes to a superior hotel, it’s all in the details. I adore colorful, unique rooms filled with art and character. Chocolates on your pillow are always a lovely touch, as are welcome drinks in the lobby, excellent shower water pressure and thoughtfully placed outlets throughout the room and bathroom. My fellow editor Chamidae Ford is forever in search of the perfect plush hotel robe. Above all things, however, a signature scent is something I always appreciate.

When my space smells good, I’m happy. It’s why I always have a candle lit at home, and why I sorta empathize with the crazy Bath & Body Works candle lady (top five YouTube videos of all time, BTW). I feel the same way when I travel. When a place smells like vacation (and their products make me smell like vacation), I’m at ease.

Here are some of my beloved signature hotel scents I’ve encountered, with a little help from our staff.

I live for a meaningful story, which is why I loved discovering that Halekulani’s signature scent is Maile, an indigenous Hawaiian vine often used to make some of the most sacred lei. Halekulani uses Maile in its bath products and treatments at SpaHalekulani. I usually gravitate toward more floral scents, so this one surprised me; it has an earthier, woodsy, fresh smell.

Ann Douglas Lott, Editor

While on a press trip at a Westin, they flew over reps from the company responsible for their signature White Tea scent. I found it fascinating how they came up with it (and we got to smell all the essential oils that went into it).

James Pham, Editor

This hotel is my GOAT in this category. Sadly, it is a smell I will never, ever experience again (unless I somehow go back), because when I went to buy it, well, I couldn’t.

Brekke Fletcher, Editor

My uncle used to live in Tribeca, and every time he and his family visit, they stay at the Conrad nearby. As soon as you walk in, you’re hit with their signature scent, White Tea, which is etched into my brain (they also have Byredo products in their rooms, which are so good). Plus, they have hundreds of pieces of art throughout the hotel (and my favorite movie theater in the city).

Serina Patel, Marketing Director

This is by far my favorite scent. I literally was lathering myself in their lotion every day. I believe it’s the Hinoki scent from Le Labo. It feels sultry and refreshing, and if it weren’t nearly $40 for a bottle of lotion, I’d always wear it.

Chamidae Ford, Editor

I have a room spray in the Langham’s signature ginger flower scent on my bedside table, and my basement-level room has never felt so luxurious. The scent is not very sweet – just fresh florals (further research tells me lily and jasmine), and a hint of ginger. It’s so elegant.

Ann Douglas Lott

This colorful property in the heart of Copenhagen was exactly what my fellow editor Chamidae and I needed as a home base. We loved the artful, light-filled space. No part of this place was boring! They also supply their guest rooms with products by the Swiss brand Soeder, specifically the Herbal Garden scent, which is very earthy and clean. Very chic.

Ann Douglas Lott

You walk into this gorgeous hotel, and the scent immediately wraps you in a blanket. It’s fresh, sexy and intoxicating, and I immediately knew I needed to get my hands on it. Turns out, you can buy it too!

Serina Patel

Checking out,
Ann Douglas
Editor, Lonely Planet