Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Okay, so let's be honest: the die is cast. Whatever happens on Tuesday is going to happen. We can do what we can to get out the vote -- and if you're in a swing state (which at this point means Pennsylvania, Ohio, and maybe Wisconsin) then please do what you can to get folks to the polls. And by "folks" I mean ... well, you know what I mean.
But for most of us, Tuesday can't come soon enough.
So, let's take our minds off of the obvious stuff. And think about:
The way hotels smell. It's something hotels think about a lot, apparently. From the travel site Skift.com:
Most major international hotel chains - including Holiday Inn, Marriott, Sofitel, Le Meridién and The Ritz-Carlton - already diffuse their unique aromas throughout their properties, but smaller brands have started focusing on fragrance as well. In fact, many have taken scent branding a step further and begun selling a hotel’s fragrance in room sprays, scented sticks and even candles.
Science backs up investing in fragrance, which directly accesses the brain’s limbic system, the area that processes memories and emotions, according to Simon Harrop, CEO of Brand Sense, an agency that advises companies on how to reach consumers across all senses. Since scents are shown to evoke particular feelings - like lavender does with relaxation - emotions always are at play when it comes to establishing brand preference, Harrop says. It explains why big-name chains are keen to use signature fragrances.
Holiday Inn has a smell? Um, okay, if you say so. And I've been in plenty of Westins, but I never noticed this:
Strategically positioned at entrances to greet guests as they arrive, ScentWave scent delivery systems from ScentAir UK offer a light and refreshing White Tea welcome in Westin hotels worldwide. Westin has taken the idea of sensory branding and signature scent to a whole new level. They now offer candles, oils and even a home version of the ScentWave system to consumers; all of which deliver their custom-developed White Tea fragrance. “Scent is the most memorable of the senses and we feel scent is an exciting and important part of the guest experience.” comments the Senior vice President of Westin Hotels and Resorts.
I'm just happy when they change the sheets. I always hate seeing that little note on the bed or in the bathroom, asking us to reuse towels and sheets "for the environment."
Maybe if they changed the sheets and towels more often, they wouldn't need all that air freshener.
- Comment (43)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (5)
Comments:
Aug '11
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
You've never noticed the Westin "smell"? Hmmm.
Just consider me one of Pavlov's dogs. My booking preference is for a Westin--or as it is known in my household--"that place with the smell and the green leaf soaps."
Man o' manski, I'm feeling, well, a bit conditioned...
Jun '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Rob Long:
I'm just happy when they change the sheets. I always hate seeing that little note on the bed or in the bathroom, asking us to reuse towels and sheets "for the environment."
Maybe if they changed the sheets and towels more often, they wouldn't need all that air freshener. · · 14 minutes ago
The last time I was in what Hotwire claimed was a 3-star hotel, they not only didn't change the sheets or the towels, they didn't leave any note saying that they weren't.
I guess they're "Saving The Environment™" by cutting down on the printing of the notes.
May '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I have definitely noticed the Westin Smell and the Ritz Carlton smell. Holiday Inn I associate with something appropriately antisceptic. The Waldorf on the other hand has always carried a hint of mildew.
Sep '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
It's pretty smart marketing to the women folk --but like women who power-on the perfume at work, it can actually cause disgust.
Like when they over-scent the lobby areas. This was at a very upscale casino hotel in the Vegas area. It made my eyes water.
Oct '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I suspect that this is almost completely made up. And made up by Scent Air and Brand Sense at that. This is what passes for journalism these days.
Jun '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Becky53: It's pretty smart marketing to the women folk --but like women who power-on the perfume at work, it can actually cause disgust.
Like when they over-scent the lobby areas. This was at a very upscale casino hotel in the Vegas area. It made my eyes water. · 3 minutes ago
Something just occurred to me...
What about the people with allergies to such things?
I imagine this will come to a screeching halt after the first multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
Jun '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I guess I'm low budget, but the only smell I associate with hotels is chlorine from the poll mixed with cleaning products.
Jul '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
The Grand Hyatt in Delhi smells the best, because Delhi ...... well, smells like something I can't mention due to the COC.
Also considering the noise outside it is very quiet.
Edited on November 5, 2012 at 7:34pmMay '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Freudian slip caused by too much election news, it appears.
Since I haven't had any functioning olfactory sense for about 15 years, I have to pass on this one.
Apr '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I've noticed that hotels seem to have a theme smell, but don't go to enough chains in a row to associate them with brands. (My family usually stays with family.) I suspect cleaning supply brands have more to do with it than marketing.
I dislike the "for the environment" signs, but I've always disliked having the sheets and towels changed daily. It annoys my sense of "silly, wasteful things." You clean things because they're dirty, not because it's Tuesday.
May '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I was once in a little motel in Rapid City SD that had a unique smell - not bad necessarily, just very noticeable and unidentifiable. One day I was in the room when the maid came to clean up, and just before she left she pulled out a can of something and sprayed it around. So whatever the smell was, it was on purpose!
Sep '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
I guess you could choose to stay at a hotel that was labeled scent-free? Surgeon General labeling for hotel chains and their scented lobbies and products -- hmmm.
ConservativeWanderer
Becky53: It's pretty smart marketing to the women folk --but like women who power-on the perfume at work, it can actually cause disgust.
Like when they over-scent the lobby areas. This was at a very upscale casino hotel in the Vegas area. It made my eyes water. · 3 minutes ago
Something just occurred to me...
What about the people with allergies to such things?
I imagine this will come to a screeching halt after the first multi-million-dollar lawsuit. · 7 minutes ago
Jun '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
ConservativeWanderer
I guess they're "Saving The Environment™" by cutting down on the printing of the notes. · 13 minutes ago
Speaking of printed notes.....way back when, right after I graduated from college, I worked for a while as head housekeeper of a small hotel out West. So I've always taken a keen interest in hotel room cleanliness, and always look under the bed when I stay in hotels. Imagine my surprise, at the Helmsley Hotel in Manhattan, to see some debris under the bed! Alas--it was only a printed card that said "Yes, we clean under here, too!"
Jun '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
KayBee
ConservativeWanderer
I guess they're "Saving The Environment™" by cutting down on the printing of the notes. · 13 minutes ago
Speaking of printed notes.....way back when, right after I graduated from college, I worked for a while as head housekeeper of a small hotel out West. So I've always taken a keen interest in hotel room cleanliness, and always look under the bed when I stay in hotels. Imagine my surprise, at the Helmsley Hotel in Manhattan, to see some debris under the bed! Alas--it was only a printed card that said "Yes, we clean under here, too!" · 0 minutes ago
Okay, if I am ever in Manhattan, I know where I am gonna stay! :D
Aug '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
ConservativeWanderer
Something just occurred to me...
What about the people with allergies to such things?
I imagine this will come to a screeching halt after the first multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
Respiratory allergy sufferers are fairly resigned to living life at their own risk. Air is wayward stuff -- always wafting about -- so we have no expectation that life can be arranged for us to avoid attacks entirely.
Some cleaning products give me asthma attacks, but the most frequent problem is residual cigarette smoke in a non-smoking room.
If these problems come up, we just ask to be moved to another room. Or we go to another motel, or open the doors and windows to air the place out... and there's always rescue medication.
We're low-budget, too. I would describe the smell as "vacuum cleaner's armpit".
Edited on November 5, 2012 at 7:48pmApr '11
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Rob Long: Okay, so let's be honest: the die is cast. Whatever happens on Tuesday is going to happen. We can do what we can to get out the vote -- and if you're in a swing state (which at this point means Pennsylvania, Ohio, and maybe Wisconsin) then please do what you can to get folks to the polls. And by "folks" I mean ... well, you know what I mean.
But for most of us, Tuesday can't come soon enough.
I really don't know why you would say this. For "most of us", that is, almost all of us, in swing states, red states, blue states, and foreign states, there is still something we can do to affect the result. We can make calls. You do need a US number, but it can be through Skype or similar (I'm not sure if Canadian numbers would work). It's not like donating; you don't need to be a citizen.
You can do it at work, at home, or from a call center. The Democrat advantage is that they get volunteers earlier. There is absolutely no reason to discourage people who want to volunteer now, though.
Dec '11
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Speaking of hotels, this frequent traveler/germaphobe would also chime in with this warning: Never, ever sit on the bedspread- take it off immediately and instruct housekeeping to keep it off! (Same goes for those decorative pillows!)
Jun '12
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
ConservativeWanderer
Something just occurred to me...
What about the people with allergies to such things?
I imagine this will come to a screeching halt after the first multi-million-dollar lawsuit.
Respiratory allergy sufferers are fairly resigned to living life at their own risk. Air is wayward stuff -- always wafting about -- so we have no expectation that life can be arranged for us to avoid attacks entirely.
Some cleaning products give me asthma attacks, but the most frequent problem is residual cigarette smoke in a non-smoking room.
If these problems come up, we just ask to be moved to another room. Or we go to another motel, or open the doors and windows to air the place out... and there's always rescue medication.
· 2 minutes ago
Edited 0 minutes ago
You suffer from them, Midge? Sorry to hear that.
I know when I worked in the office instead of at home, twice or three times a month we'd get emailed reminders about wearing too much perfume, because the allergy and asthma sufferers were having problems.
Oct '11
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
To me there is a generic hotel/motel smell, from Hilton to Motel 6. I notice it when I first walk in the door and again when I am home unpacking my bags.
Kind of off topic....Remember that Office episode when Michael and Dwight planned to have a party in their hotel room? Michael's black light revealed glowing spots on the bedspread. When Dwight told Michael that it was either blood, urine or semen Michaeal replied "I hope it's urine." I loved that show.
May '10
Re: Diverting Topic #1: The Way Hotels Smell
KayBee
ConservativeWanderer
I guess they're "Saving The Environment™" by cutting down on the printing of the notes. · 13 minutes ago
Speaking of printed notes.....way back when, right after I graduated from college, I worked for a while as head housekeeper of a small hotel out West. So I've always taken a keen interest in hotel room cleanliness, and always look under the bed when I stay in hotels. Imagine my surprise, at the Helmsley Hotel in Manhattan, to see some debris under the bed! Alas--it was only a printed card that said "Yes, we clean under here, too!" · 32 minutes ago
You mean it isn't only now that college graduates end up as hotel housekeepers?