The power of scent can’t be ignored. Design is a multi-sensory experience—one of the reasons I wander hotels and furniture showrooms like they’re museums. It’s not just what you see; it’s what you feel: the light, the texture, the sound, and yes, the scent. Smell is one of our most emotional senses—it anchors memory, evokes comfort, and creates a sense of place.
That’s why so many brands—from luxury hotels to fashion houses—invest in a signature scent. The moment you step through the door, you recognize it instantly. That fragrance becomes part of the brand’s identity, as distinctive as its logo or lighting.
Lately, the trend has flipped. Homeowners are bringing those scents home, recreating their favorite hotel experiences through fragrance. And the hotels have caught on—selling their signature scents like fine perfumes. I first noticed this in friends’ and clients’ homes, long before I saw influencers pushing the same hotel diffusers online.
So, have you found your “hotel scent”? Whether through diffuser oils, candles, or modern reed diffusers, these fragrances can turn an ordinary room into an experience. Here are five standout scents worth discovering to see which one defines your home.
But first, what do the scents smell like? Forget grandma’s potpourri. The profiles leading the pack are:
- Spa clean: eucalyptus, aloe, fresh moss.
- Escapist tropicals: coconut, sea salt, vanilla.
- Luxury woods: cedar, amber, sandalwood.
- Soft gourmand: faint vanilla or almond for warmth without cloying sweetness.
Here's my top picks (from my clients and online reviews):
-
“My Way” by Hotel Collection / 1 Hotel — leathery woods, sandalwood, iris. A moody, grounding fragrance. Used this recently in one of my builder's 2025 Parade of Homes.
👉 Inspired by 1 Hotel -
Dream On (Westin White Tea / Aloe / Lily) — lighter, spa-calm floral / green combo.
👉 Inspired by Westin -
Escapade & Cabana (Inspired by Ritz Carlton) — citrus / ozone top, floral heart, subtle musk base.
👉 Inspired by Ritz Carlton -
The Hotel (AromaTech) — a blend of rose, geranium, lavender with eucalyptus, fresh pine, lemon, orange, peach.
👉 Inspired by Delano -
W Hotel scent (AirScent / “W Hotel Inspired”) — citrus, florals, wood / musk undertones.
👉 Inspired by W Hotel
