Always wanted to tip your hat to the concierge and say "Smell ya later" when you check out of your fave hotel? Now you can! (Getty)
Staying at a first-class hotel is the ultimate indulgence. There are impossibly smooth sheets and plush towels, fluffy bathrobes and heavenly mattresses, and let's not forget the ability to order a foie gras omelette at 3 a.m. But have you ever considered the smells? The best hotel scents have the power to transport you somewhere magical. And with the right candles, room sprays and diffusers, you don't even have to hop on a flight — you can recreate these five-star fragrances at home.
Hotels consider scent such an important part of the experience that many spots hire consultants to create a signature fragrance or find one that perfectly captures the mood and environment. "Hotels want to stimulate all the senses when guests cross the threshold," says Christian Schulz, partner and design director at Studio Collective, a hospitality design firm. Sometimes hotels pump scents through commercial-grade diffusers, explains Caroline Fabrigas, CEO of Scent Marketing Inc., which develops signature fragrances for hotels. But you can get a similar effect at home for much less effort — and cost.
If you're looking for a specific resort or spa fragrance, some sell their signature scents to the public (Fabrigas' company does this for clients at ScentFluence.com). Read on for our favorites, plus tips on how to use them. Then all that's left to do is kick back, relax and say ahh.
If you're looking for a consistent fragrance in a space, reed and plug-in diffusers are the way to go. (You can always burn a candle too — scroll down to see our picks — but make sure the combo doesn't compete or smell too heavy!) Fabrigas says that some of her clients even bring USB scent sticks in the car "so they can take their favorite scent on the road."
Talk about putting on the ritz! This 10-milliliter bottle of aromatic oil features notes of lemon, bergamot, jasmine, amber and musk, all inspired by the ultimate luxury hotel, the Ritz-Carlton.
Paired with a diffuser (we like this waterless diffuser, which has a sleek, unobtrusive design), it would make a great gift.
One whiff of this beloved Westin hotel scent, and you may think you've been whisked away to a spa. Notes of warm cedar and vanilla are blended with freesia for a fragrance that's refreshing but cozy. One diffuser should last for two months — about as long as the summer vacations you had as a kid!
You can use this trio of oils, which were inspired by five-star hotels, in any ultrasonic, ceramic or car diffuser. Each bottle features a different combination of scents, so you can mix it up depending on your mood.
Luna Sundara works with farmers in Peru to ethically source its palo santo sticks. This set comes with a drawstring bag, but I highly recommend you splurge on the set that includes a handmade ceramic holder for $35 — the design is beautiful!
I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Amazon is a great source for affordable dried flowers and greenery (this price is for 10 stems). You can also find fresh or dried eucalyptus at some big-box stores, flower shops and supermarkets.
Even if you've never stayed at the Ritz, you can imagine how decadent a trip there would be. This candle smells like the hotel's legendary spa, with relaxing notes of lavender. It's the perfect gift for your fanciest friend — it even comes in a box with a bow.
Edition Hotels were founded by a hospitality legend, Ian Schrager, and they're famous for their boutique feel and chic design. This candle, with its minimalist glazed jar and scent of cedarwood, bergamot and patchouli, encapsulates the experience — it's the exact fragrance you'll smell in every Edition lobby.
1 Hotel in New York City is known for its luxe lobby scent, which combines sheer musk, tree moss and cedar. Though this candle is not cheap — the price listed is for a votive — it's Schulz's all-time favorite hotel fragrance and it was created by Fabrigas' company, Scentfluence, where it's a bestseller. Consider me sold.
Sea salt is another of Schulz's go-to fragrances, and this spray has a clean, fresh scent that'll transport you right to the beach. More than 1,500 shoppers have given it a near-perfect 4.7 stars, with one fan commenting, "This smells SO amazing. It is a fresh scent but not overly 'linen'-esque. Smells like a fancy hotel or spa. Obsessed! I'd wear this as a perfume."
These petite hand and body soaps are what you'll find in Kimpton hotels across the country. Stash them in your guest bathroom for when you have overnight visitors — they'll appreciate the luxe touch.
This soap from the luxe hotel spa smells of sweet mandarin and warm ginger. It's infused with aloe vera to soften and soothe skin. Lather up and treat yourself to a self-care day!
This grapefruit-smelling soap will leave your skin oh-so-soft. Schulz keeps a bottle in his own bathroom, then finishes up with "a light sea salt or fig hand cream," he says.
This bestselling spray captures one of Schulz's favorite combinations, fig and currant, plus it has notes of sandalwood and amber. A few spritzes will get your bed sheets smelling heavenly ... now all you need is a fluffy robe and some delicious takeout to complete the staycation.
If you like the idea of a diffuser or incense but want a more natural fragrance, Schulz and his wife are big fans of palo santo sticks, which they first learned about in Mexico. "We often burn a few each night when we get home from work to set our brains at ease and transport us to another place," he says.
A woodsy smell like this "brings a wonderful sense of comfort and grounding to the home," says Fabrigas.
"The stalks look beautiful and the humidity from the shower brings out the essential oils as a natural refresher," Schulz says. You can hang them in your shower for spa-like vibes or arrange a bunch in a vase on the sink.
Nothing against the $10 candles at big-box stores, but if you're focused on creating a luxurious whole-home fragrance, you may want to spend a bit more. Look for "hand-crafted, ethically sourced non-petroleum-based soy or coconut wax candles with lead-free cloth or wooden wicks," Schulz says. The upside is that these higher-end candles generally last longer!
Related: The best affordable scented candles, according to high-end designers
A room or linen spray can do wonders when it comes to transforming your bedroom into an oasis. Schulz recommends scents like lavender, sage and sandalwood, which are calming and encourage you to relax. But really, pick any fragrance that will transport you! All you need is a light misting to do the trick.
If you've ever grabbed those little bottles of soap and shampoo from your room (no judgment), you know the appeal of a good hotel toiletry. Both Schulz and Fabrigas love zesty citrus scents because they're fresh and uplifting. Place hand soaps that feature grapefruit, orange or lemon by every sink — or try similarly scented body wash in the shower to really wake up your senses.
Related: 11 hand soaps that will make you feel like you're at a luxury hotel, starting at $5
