The next time you walk into a hotel lobby and that feeling of relaxation hits you, it’s likely more than just the décor at play. Hotels often infuse spaces with custom scents to influence guests’ impressions.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Large hotels work with fragrance design companies to create unique scents aligned with their brand. Boutique hotels may use local aromatherapy shops or candle makers. Suppliers provide diffusers and oils.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the main sources hotels use to obtain lobby fragrances, room scents, and amenity perfumes to create an immersive olfactory experience.
Fragrance Design Firms
Ever wondered where hotels get their signature scents that create a welcoming and memorable atmosphere? The answer lies in fragrance design firms. These specialized companies are experts in creating unique and captivating scents that reflect a hotel’s brand and create a lasting impression on guests.
Custom Blending
One of the key services offered by fragrance design firms is custom blending. They work closely with hoteliers to understand their brand identity, target audience, and desired atmosphere. Using a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients, these firms create bespoke fragrances that are exclusive to each hotel.
This customization ensures that the scent perfectly captures the essence of the hotel and aligns with its overall ambiance.
Custom blending involves a meticulous process of selecting and combining different scent notes. Fragrance designers carefully consider the top, middle, and base notes to create a balanced and harmonious fragrance that evokes the desired emotions and sets the right mood for guests.
Fragrance Psychology
Fragrance design firms also take into account the principles of fragrance psychology when creating scents for hotels. They understand that scents have a profound impact on our emotions and can influence our perception of a space.
By leveraging this knowledge, fragrance designers strategically choose scents that evoke positive emotions, such as relaxation, happiness, or nostalgia.
For instance, a hotel aiming to create a calming and soothing atmosphere might opt for scents with lavender or chamomile notes, known for their relaxing properties. On the other hand, a hotel targeting a vibrant and energetic ambiance might choose scents with citrus or floral notes, which are known for their uplifting and refreshing qualities.
Diffuser Systems
Once the custom fragrance is created, fragrance design firms also assist hotels in implementing diffuser systems to disperse the scent effectively throughout the property. Diffuser systems come in various forms, including air diffusers, reed diffusers, and scent machines.
These systems ensure a consistent and controlled diffusion of the fragrance, creating a seamless olfactory experience for guests.
It is worth noting that the fragrance design industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging. Fragrance design firms stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and innovations in the field to provide hotels with cutting-edge scent solutions that enhance the overall guest experience.
Retail Home Fragrance Suppliers
Hotels often use signature scents to create a unique and memorable experience for their guests. These scents can evoke a sense of luxury, relaxation, or even a specific theme. But where do hotels get their signature scents?
One common source is retail home fragrance suppliers, who provide a wide range of options for hotels to choose from.
Candle Companies
Candle companies are a popular choice for hotels looking to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These companies offer a variety of scented candles in different sizes, shapes, and fragrances. Hotels can select scents that align with their brand image and desired ambiance.
Some well-known candle companies that supply fragrances to hotels include Yankee Candle, Bath & Body Works, and Jo Malone.
Essential Oil Brands
Essential oils have gained popularity in recent years for their natural and therapeutic properties. Many hotels opt for essential oil diffusers to create a calming and soothing environment. Essential oil brands like doTERRA, Young Living, and Plant Therapy offer a wide range of fragrances to choose from.
Hotels can select specific oils or blends that promote relaxation, stress relief, or even improve sleep quality for their guests.
Room Spray Manufacturers
Room sprays are another option for hotels to introduce signature scents in their properties. These sprays are often used to quickly freshen up the air and create a pleasant aroma. Room spray manufacturers like Glade, Febreze, and Air Wick offer a variety of scents that hotels can choose from.
Hotels can select sprays with long-lasting fragrance or opt for natural and eco-friendly options.
It’s worth mentioning that some hotels also collaborate with fragrance experts or perfumers to create custom scents that align perfectly with their brand identity. These bespoke scents are exclusively created for the hotel and cannot be found elsewhere, adding a unique touch to the guest experience.
Local Artisans
When it comes to creating signature scents for hotels, many establishments turn to local artisans who specialize in the art of fragrance. These talented individuals are passionate about their craft and are skilled in creating unique and captivating scents that leave a lasting impression on hotel guests.
Aromatherapy Shops
Aromatherapy shops are a popular choice for hotels looking to create their own signature scents. These shops often carry a wide range of essential oils, which are the building blocks of many fragrances.
Hotel owners and managers can work closely with aromatherapists to blend different oils together to create a scent that reflects the ambiance and character of their establishment. Aromatherapy shops provide a personalized and hands-on approach to scent creation, ensuring that each hotel’s signature fragrance is truly one-of-a-kind.
Artisanal Perfumeries
Artisanal perfumeries are another source of inspiration for hotels seeking signature scents. These small, independent fragrance houses pride themselves on creating high-quality perfumes using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients.
Hotel owners can collaborate with perfumers to develop a fragrance that embodies the essence of their brand. From floral and citrusy notes to more complex and sophisticated blends, artisanal perfumeries offer a vast array of options for hotels to choose from.
Candle Makers
Candle makers are often overlooked when it comes to creating signature scents for hotels, but they shouldn’t be. Many candle makers are skilled in crafting unique and captivating fragrances that can be used in various applications, including hotel rooms.
By working with a candle maker, hotels can create scents that not only smell amazing but also have a cozy and inviting ambiance. Whether it’s a comforting vanilla scent or a refreshing ocean breeze, candle makers can help hotels create a memorable olfactory experience for their guests.
In-House Fragrance Development
Have you ever walked into a hotel lobby and been immediately transported to a world of relaxation and luxury? Chances are, the hotel has carefully curated its signature scent to create a memorable and inviting atmosphere for guests. But where do hotels actually get these delightful fragrances?
Working with Chemists
Hotels often collaborate with experienced chemists to develop their signature scents. These chemists have the expertise to create unique blends of essential oils, aroma compounds, and other fragrance ingredients.
They work closely with the hotel to understand its brand image, target audience, and desired ambiance. By combining their knowledge of fragrance chemistry with the hotel’s vision, they can create a scent that perfectly captures the essence of the establishment.
Chemists may draw inspiration from various sources such as local flora, the hotel’s location, or even the hotel’s history. For example, a hotel situated near a tropical beach might opt for a scent that incorporates notes of coconut and sea breeze, while a historic hotel might choose a fragrance that evokes the elegance of a bygone era.
Focus Groups for Testing
Once a fragrance has been developed, hotels often conduct focus groups to gather feedback from potential guests. These focus groups consist of individuals who match the hotel’s target demographic. Participants are asked to evaluate the fragrance based on factors such as its intensity, longevity, and overall appeal.
This feedback is invaluable as it helps the hotel determine if the scent aligns with its desired image and if it will be well-received by guests. If necessary, adjustments can be made to ensure the scent is just right before it is introduced throughout the hotel.
Developing Proprietary Blends
Hotels strive to create a unique and memorable experience for their guests, and that includes the scent. To achieve this, many hotels opt to develop proprietary blends that are exclusive to their brand.
These blends are carefully crafted to reflect the hotel’s identity and create a lasting impression on guests.
Creating a proprietary blend involves blending different fragrance notes in specific ratios to achieve the desired scent profile. The process can be complex, requiring a keen understanding of fragrance chemistry and composition.
However, the result is a signature scent that sets the hotel apart and leaves a lasting impression on guests.
Fragrance Oils and Diffuser Systems
When it comes to creating a signature scent for their hotels, many establishments turn to fragrance oils and diffuser systems. These systems are designed to disperse pleasant and inviting aromas throughout the hotel, creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for guests.
There are several types of diffuser systems commonly used in hotels, including heated oil diffusers, cold air nebulizing systems, and manual sprays.
Heated Oil Diffusers
Heated oil diffusers are one of the most popular options for hotels to infuse their spaces with delightful scents. These diffusers work by gently heating fragrance oils, releasing their aroma into the air. The heat helps to disperse the scent evenly, filling the room with a pleasant fragrance.
These diffusers are often placed strategically in common areas such as lobbies, hallways, and even guest rooms.
Cold Air Nebulizing
Cold air nebulizing systems are another common choice for hotels looking to create a signature scent. These systems use a nebulizer to break down fragrance oils into tiny particles, which are then dispersed into the air without the use of heat.
This method ensures that the scent remains pure and unaltered, providing a consistent and long-lasting aroma throughout the hotel. Cold air nebulizing systems are often used in larger spaces such as conference rooms and event halls.
Manual Sprays
Manual sprays are a simpler and more cost-effective option for hotels that still want to create a pleasant scent. These sprays can be manually activated by staff members to release a burst of fragrance into the air.
While not as automated as diffuser systems, manual sprays are still effective in creating a welcoming atmosphere. They are often used in smaller areas such as restrooms or elevators.
Conclusion
From boutique inns working with local scent artisans to major chains developing proprietary aromas, hotels have many options when sourcing signature scents. Collaborating with fragrance experts allows hotels to dial in unique scents that reinforce their brand identity and please customers’ noses.
