Luxury Hotels - What gives that luxury bathroom smell?

Ok - first, this is not a joke thread. I am seriously curious about this.

I've noticed for a while that the nicest properties I've visited have a particular scent in their public-space bathrooms. Most recently I was visiting the FS Santa Barbara and noticed that, and it prompted me to post, although I've been curious for a while.

I'm no expert, but I think the smell has at least some lavender to it. But its very discrete and not at all cloying or disinfectant-like, as you'd get at a lesser hotel. I've noticed the same scent in other public-space bathrooms at nice properties; FS Hualalai, etc. The first place I recall smelling this was probably Corde Valle resort several years back (so its not unique to F.S. properties).

The scent definitely reminds me a bit of a "spa" scent as well. And its usually not present in the guest rooms, just in the public-space bathrooms with the cloth towels and wicker/cloth towel baskets and all that.

Anyone know what their secret is?

I do not know the answer but I believe that such scenting is not limited to the WCs. I seem to recall that the FS in Prag had a particularly nice scent in the lobby and adjoining areas.

Ok - first, this is not a joke thread. I am seriously curious about this.

I've noticed for a while that the nicest properties I've visited have a particular scent in their public-space bathrooms. Most recently I was visiting the FS Santa Barbara and noticed that, and it prompted me to post, although I've been curious for a while.

I'm no expert, but I think the smell has at least some lavender to it. But its very discrete and not at all cloying or disinfectant-like, as you'd get at a lesser hotel. I've noticed the same scent in other public-space bathrooms at nice properties; FS Hualalai, etc. The first place I recall smelling this was probably Corde Valle resort several years back (so its not unique to F.S. properties).

The scent definitely reminds me a bit of a "spa" scent as well. And its usually not present in the guest rooms, just in the public-space bathrooms with the cloth towels and wicker/cloth towel baskets and all that.

Anyone know what their secret is?
Actually I spent some time trying to figure this out. I'm pretty sure for FS it is the soap used in the bathrooms. By getting the same products, I was able to recreate the smell in my condo.

In some hotels, a sprayed fragrance is circulated in the air in public spaces, bathrooms, or locker rooms. I am not a fan of this as the fragrance is usually too strong or not to my liking.

I do sometimes like it when essential oils are used to subtly perfume the air. This is common in spas, and if done properly with high quality essential oils this can be very pleasant and relaxing.

re bathrooms in public areas, I think a scent is often applied to the cloth hand towels when they are laundered.

funny you should bring that up. after considering a stay, i just read a report that the m.o. in barcelona had bathroom problems. the bathrooms in the starwood luxury collection hotels in france and italy are downright funky. the manager in the danieli told me it was not the bathroom, but the adjacent canal.

funny you should bring that up. after considering a stay, i just read a report that the m.o. in barcelona had bathroom problems. the bathrooms in the starwood luxury collection hotels in france and italy are downright funky. the manager in the danieli told me it was not the bathroom, but the adjacent canal.

At the danieli it could well be the case.


Back on topic- I think many luxury hotels spray a scent in the air- many have complained for example that at the Park Hyatt Vendome it is too strong.

In some hotels, a sprayed fragrance is circulated in the air in public spaces, bathrooms, or locker rooms. I am not a fan of this as the fragrance is usually too strong or not to my liking.

I do sometimes like it when essential oils are used to subtly perfume the air. This is common in spas, and if done properly with high quality essential oils this can be very pleasant and relaxing.

re bathrooms in public areas, I think a scent is often applied to the cloth hand towels when they are laundered.

I agree totally. I will not even use the soap in public hotel bathrooms, as it is strong smelling junk, in 99% of cases. Other hotels use perfume diffusers, but even then, the oils used are made from petrochemical waste. I agree that real essential oils are the best option, which is what you get at an Aman, if at all.

The Ritz Carlton in Singapore always smells like home as they have acqua do Parma in some guest bathrooms which is what I use.

Can't abide fs that have loccitane as it has no scent at all.

A strong vote against using sprayed fragrances in public areas of luxury hotels.

Question: Why are there some 800 different brands of fragrances for sale in each department store / perfumery?

Answer: Because each individual has completely different likings and dislikings of fragrances.

So a sprayed fragrance in a hotel lobby is pure dictatorship - it is an intrusion into my body organs.

For example the Sofitel Munich (which is of course no luxury hotel in the sense we discuss it here...) uses a strong smell in their public places. For my taste, it smells like cheap aftershave used by cheap salesmen. Maybe some people like it - for me, it's utterly disgusting.

Alone for that reason I will never ever set my foot into this hotel, despite it's location is quite practial for me (anyway, The Charles by Rocco Forte nearby is much better...).

Also bathroom toiletries which have a too intrusive smell - like f.e. Aqua di Parma - are not to my liking. Because they are used by more and more luxury hotels, I start bringing my own toiletries with me - that makes my luggage heavier, that is not too practical indeed.

Therefore I prefer simple and fresh stuff like L'Occitaine at some FS or Bulgari Green Tea at Bulgari Hotels. And hope, that hotels stop the trend using heavy smells in the bathrooms, and stop using fragrances at public spaces at all!

A strong vote against using sprayed fragrances in public areas of luxury hotels.

Question: Why are there some 800 different brands of fragrances for sale in each department store / perfumery?

Answer: Because each individual has completely different likings and dislikings of fragrances.

So a sprayed fragrance in a hotel lobby is pure dictatorship - it is an intrusion into my body organs.

For example the Sofitel Munich (which is of course no luxury hotel in the sense we discuss it here...) uses a strong smell in their public places. For my taste, it smells like cheap aftershave used by cheap salesmen. Maybe some people like it - for me, it's utterly disgusting.

Alone for that reason I will never ever set my foot into this hotel, despite it's location is quite practial for me (anyway, The Charles by Rocco Forte nearby is much better...).

Also bathroom toiletries which have a too intrusive smell - like f.e. Aqua di Parma - are not to my liking. Because they are used by more and more luxury hotels, I start bringing my own toiletries with me - that makes my luggage heavier, that is not too practical indeed.

Therefore I prefer simple and fresh stuff like L'Occitaine at some FS or Bulgari Green Tea at Bulgari Hotels. And hope, that hotels stop the trend using heavy smells in the bathrooms, and stop using fragrances at public spaces at all!

I agree!

I normally gather up all the bathroom toiletries (including Bvlgari Green Tea) and place them in a pile for housekeeping to remove (although this sometimes results in them bringing me more toiletries to replace the abandoned ones!). In resorts, I have sometimes put them outside as their smell was so strong. I always take my own, and yes, it does add to the weight, but it also adds to my enjoyment of the hotel. The other thing I can't stand are 'fragrance' diffusers and plug-ins in hotel rooms, which I also place outside the door.

I like the FS smell, it is subtle but notable.

many high-end hotels use this product:

http://www.scentair.com