Scientists say that scent memory is humans’ strongest kind of memory. Most people can instantly recognize the scent of their grandmother’s perfume, an elementary school classroom or their favorite vacation spot. Luxury hotels are capitalizing on the strength of scent memory by partnering with local scent companies to choose unique scents that enhance guests’ experiences and ensure their guests will remember their stay long after they’ve checked out.
We have compiled an overview of hotels using signature scents to build brand recognition.
- One of the first things that guests at the new Marti Istanbul Hotel often comment on is the unique and inviting scent that pervades the hotel. Located in the cultural and commercial heart of Istanbul, the Marti Istanbul Hotel turned to a local, Turkey-based scent company to help choose the perfect aroma for the glamorous hotel. They settled on a “White Tea” scent which blends hints of freshness and sweetness for a clean, calming fragrance that is diffused throughout the hotel using unique technology developed by SCENT LINQ, an Istanbul-based scent company.
- DUKES ST. JAMES, LONDON, an independent luxury boutique hotel located on a quiet courtyard in the heart of London, just steps from Green Park and Buckingham Palace, greets guests with the welcoming scent of Hyacinth and Bluebell scented candles from Floris London. Floris is a perfume shop located steps from the hotel at 89 Jermyn Street that dates back to the 1700s and has been a favorite of the royals and other iconic figures over the years. The Hyacinth and Bluebell fragrance is described as such: “Fresh leafy notes accent the floral accord of spring flowers, dominated by hyacinth and bluebell and spiced with a touch of carnation. Heliotrope and ylang ylang sustain the floral theme which is underscored by a soft balsamic and woody base in this cool green floral fragrance.”
- Lungarno Collection features a fragrance line, “Tuscan Soul” by Salvatore Ferragamo, which expresses natural beauty and authentic well-being that pays tribute to the heart and soul of Tuscany. The ingredients, which include tangy citrus, exude freshness and are delicately blended with refined floral and precious woody notes for an absolute well-being. The scent is available exclusively for suite guests in Florence and in Rome.
- Guests of the Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland are taking guests on a journey through scent with specialty “scent boxes” in the hotel’s halls and spa. The “Event Scent” is placed in the halls of the main building and local Swiss company, Farfalla, creates an exclusive scent in the Dolder Grand Spa. The spa scent, of fresh lemon changed monthly by in-house florists, helps guests relax and feel refreshed.
- Opening in Spring 2013, eco-friendly Hotel Vermont in Burlington, is staying true to its “local” roots by partnering with Lunaroma to develop custom line of aromatherapy-style bath products, bedside linen spray, and an aromatherapy menu. Lunaroma creates luxury products that reveal the true art and science of “aromatic blending,” and avoids all synthetic fragrances, petroleum based products, and animal ingredients. The aromatic products are crafted using local products such as Vermont Honey, Beeswax, and organic/wild-crafted sources, and are made in the tradition of an old apothecary, fresh upon order.
- The Springs Eternal Spa at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort offers a signature scent incorporating cucumber root. To create the signature blend, the spa worked closely with Soy Beam, Inc. to survey the indigenous plants growing on resort grounds including berries, trees, flowers, herbs and greens. The end result was the Honeysuckle Cucumber blend. The signature blend was created in a scent lab using only indigenous plants/herbs & flowers etc.
- The Renaissance Blackstone in downtown Chicago uses a "Shiso Tea Leaf" scent throughout the historic Grant Park hotel. The scent combines tea, lemon leaf, lime, white mint, tuberose, jasmine, gardenia and lily of the valley to create a smell that is both distinctive and welcoming.
Source: Hawkins International PR
