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Hotels Use Scent Marketing, And It Works

Have you ever smelled something and memories instantly flooded your mind? What about a smell that reminded you of a hotel? If yes, then you were probably exposed to scent marketing. For years, hotels have used the powerful tool of scent to keep guests coming back, and now their clever tricks have been revealed.

What is scent marketing?

Scent marketing, sometimes called scentscaping, is intentionally using scents to trigger emotions in guests, while helping them attach a certain smell to that brand. And according to the Sense of Smell Institute, it really does work! People can remember smells with 65% accuracy after a YEAR since being exposed to the original scent. And out of all senses, smell is the only one that creates an immediate emotional reaction. This is because smell is processed right next to the part in our brains where emotions and memories are kept! Knowing all of this, how do hotels use scent to their advantage?

How are hotels using it?

The answer is pretty simple- they partner with scent professionals. Brands like Doubletree, The Ritz-Carlton and Aloft Hotels work with a company called Scent Air to create their special olfactory blends. Their signature blend is then spread through entrances, reception areas, lobbies, spas, rooms, you name it. Sofitel Hotels & Resorts collaborated with French perfumer Lucien Ferrero to create Essence de Sofitel. The scent is exclusive to Sofitel, but also available for purchase in candle- or mist-form. Most hotels spread their scents through misting machines, but some use shampoo, body wash, oil diffusers and lotion.

Hotel Signature Scents

Curious to see which scents are picked by brands? Take a look:

  • Holiday Inn Express – green tea, green florals, exotic herbs, spicy perilla, sheer woods and musk
  • Hotel Indigo by IHG – Cranberry Apple Marmalade, Noel, Sugar Cookie or Lavender (depending on the season)
  • Westin Hotels – white tea and vanilla

Next time you stay in a hotel, stop and smell the roses…or at least the lobby!

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Marriott Is Joining the Homesharing Market

The hotel industry is constantly evolving, and brands like Marriott are always on the lookout for ways to stay relevant. This year, the major hotel chain has decided to branch out from hotel to home with its new homesharing pilot.

What is homesharing?

If you’ve heard of Airbnb or HomeAway, then you already know what homesharing is. Basically, the market is made up of hosts (those that rent out their homes) and guests (those that stay in others’ homes). Hosts are located around the globe, offering up their homes or rooms for pretty low rates. The homesharing market has become popular with travelers, predominately millennials, looking for a quick and cheap stay. Although you can see host reviews and pictures of the rented space, guests really don’t know what they’re going to get until showing up.

What is Marriott doing?

Over the past few years, homesharing companies like Airbnb have posed a serious threat to hotels. But, brands like Wyndham, Choice Hotels and now Marriott, aren’t letting homesharing get the best of them! In April, Marriott officially launched a six-month pilot partnership with London-based home rental management company, Hostmaker. Travelers can log into Tribute Portfolio Homes and book a stay in more than 200 Marriott-approved homes. Each home adheres to Marriott’s high standards in safety, design and service. Guests who stay in a Marriott “home” also receive an in-person check-in and access to 24/7 phone support.

How is this different from other hotels?

So, if other hotels are dabbling in homesharing, what makes Marriott so special? For one, they are using one of their existing brands (Tribute Portfolio) to market homesharing, rather than starting one from scratch. This way, guests have a seamless booking experience and can expect the same quality of stay as if they were at one of the Tribute Portfolio hotels. Another difference with Marriott is its immediate loyalty tie-in. Other brands like AccorHotels took years to extend loyalty perks to its homesharing guests. Marriott’s guests could receive loyalty points on day one of the new venture.

How do you think Marriott will fare against homesharing giant, Airbnb? Comment your thoughts below!

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The New DoubleTree Youngstown Downtown

With a new hotel opening right in our backyard, we couldn’t not take a look. So, we packed our bags and booked a night at the brand new DoubleTree Youngstown Downtown! Here are some of our takeaways after staying at the new property.

The Views

Located in the historic Stambaugh Building, the DoubleTree Youngstown Downtown gives way to some pretty great views of the city. The Covelli Centre is in plain view, as well as the bustle of downtown YO. The hotel’s convenient location puts it within walking distance of a lot of popular attractions like the DeYor Performing Arts Center and Fellows Riverside Gardens. We definitely see this hotel being a great spot to stay if you’re attending an event downtown.

The Eats

During our stay, we took the chance to eat dinner and breakfast at DoubleTree’s restaurant called Bistro 1907. The food and service were fantastic! For dinner we tried the salmon and S.O.S. – both were tasty. Breakfast is offered as both buffet-style and sit-down. This was a little confusing and not explained completely, but overall the breakfast was still good. Bistro 1907 is open for all three meals of the day, so you can try the food at nearly anytime.

doubletree youngstown

The Details

The interior design of the room itself was definitely nice! We loved the subtle details, like artwork and patterns, that gave the space an extra luxurious feel. Throughout the hotel, you’ll find more aesthetically pleasing details like the large staircase and geometric light fixtures.

Our stay at the new DoubleTree in Youngstown was a good one, and we’re happy to have such a great hotel so close to us! Want more information about DoubleTree and our stay? Comment below!

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Bid Farewell to Hotels’ Little Shampoo

When you pack for your next trip, you may want to remember your own toiletries. Why? Hundreds of hotels are no longer providing little bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap.

What’s happening to the shampoo?

The Wall Street Journal reports that hundreds of hotels are getting rid of their travel-sized, free bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Instead of offering these bottles, hotels are putting bulk dispensers on bathroom walls for guests to use. InterContinental Hotels Group has already changed its soap at its Kimpton brand hotels. And hotel giant Marriott is also starting the switch with 450 of its hotels, across five brands.

Why are they going away?

Simply put, the bulk dispensers are better for the environment. Billions of half-used bottles are thrown away every year, wasting soap and plastic. The dispensers will eliminate this massive waste, while also saving each hotel about $2,000 a year. Many guests have actually found the dispensers easier to use and more convenient than using the usual travel-sized bottles sparingly.

What are guests saying?

While some guests of Marriott and InterContinental appreciate the brands’ care for the environment, many are outraged. Several people claim that “any luxury hotel that does this will not earn [their] business.” Others believe that this is just another step towards cutting costs of amenities. Even more guests are worried that people might tamper with the soap dispensers.

Taking away little shampoo bottles might cause big problems for Marriott and InterContinental. How will these brands maintain their luxury standards with community dispensers? Will going green make guests feel happy, or cheap? Share your thoughts with us!

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What Are Hoteliers Renovating First?

Modernizing furniture, updating technology, improving bathrooms, changing signage- hotel owners are faced with MANY options when it comes to renovations. With so many areas that could be renovated, which ones are prioritized? Lately, trends have shown that hoteliers are looking to renovate publicly used spaces (lobby, workout facility, restaurants) first.

Why renovate common areas?

Hotel guests literally stay in hotels for a place to sleep (usually), so why are hotel owners renovating public spaces instead of guestrooms? The answer is pretty simple- many guests, especially millennials, are spending less time in their rooms and more time in common spaces. Because of this, hotels are diverting their renovation budgets towards better lounges and restaurant spaces. Making these spaces more communal will encourage guests to stay at the hotel and, ultimately, spend more money.

How are they being renovated?

Areas that may have once been overlooked, like fitness centers, lobbies and F&B outlets, are now getting quite a bit of renovation attention. Fitness centers are expanding, with the addition of more workout equipment and multiple large screen televisions. A few years ago, the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile completed a $2 million fitness center renovation, expanding from 2,200 square feet to 9,000 square feet. Hotel F&B spaces are being updated for multi-use purposes. Rather than only serving breakfast, the spaces can be converted to a full-service bar and restaurant.

Hotels are always looking for ways to improve their guests’ experiences! Which space would you update first? Share with us below!

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