With all that needs to get done during the holidays—shopping, wrapping, cooking, and White Elephanting—it can be hard to go that extra mile for houseguests. After all, you’re already opening up your home. Isn’t that enough??? (JK, Mom. It's a pleasure to have you.) While it may not make sense to invest in luxury sheets and extra slippers for folks crashing in your guest room (or, let’s face it, on your air mattress), there is one easy way to give your friends and family the five-star luxury treatment they deserve: hotel candles.
From classic rose-scented palettes to decadent woodsy notes, here are seven signature hotel scents we’re loving this winter. Some you can purchase from the comfort of your sofa; others require a quick stop by the hotel gift shop. But either way, you can get the aroma at home. And be careful: The scents are so luxurious, your guests might try to order room service.
Aliz Hotel Times Square, New York Aliz Hotel’s new signature scent line includes a seasonal rotation of hand-poured beeswax candles from Lomar Farms—a beekeeping company in Palisades, New York, led by Yvonna Kopacz-Wright. Made with essential oils, cotton wicks, and honey, these fruity, floral small-batch candles include Asian Garden for fall and Sandalwood Vanilla for winter. Great for giving your rental bathroom spa vibes ($18–$28).
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York Cade26—Gramercy Park Hotel’s signature scent by perfume brand Le Labo—captures the warmth of the hotel’s design by Julian Schnabel. The soy-wax candle contains notes of sandalwood, cedar, amber, musk, and cocoa. Pairs perfectly with streaming “footage of a burning Yule log.” Available online ($85–$150).
1 Hotels, West Hollywood Designed exclusively for 1 Hotels, Kindling is a mixture of seven all-natural ingredients blended to create an aromatic bouquet of refreshing earthy notes. With touches of stimulating eucalyptus leaves, cedarwood, oakwood, sheer musk, and tree moss, their signature scent leaves a lasting sensory experience. Candles available for purchase on-site at any of their locations. Will impress even the most critical in-laws.
The Dewberry, Charleston Inspired by the dewberry plant (native to the American South), the earthy blend of Bulgarian rose, French myrrh, cardamom, tobacco, sandalwood, Virginia cedar, and coastal botanicals creates a spicy, woodsy aroma. The scent (available at the hotel gift shop) comes in both a candle and a lotion—which may persuade your sister to help with the dishes.
Hotel Emma, San Antonio During the winter months, the ultra-trendy and impeccably designed Hotel Emma greets guests with their Recuerdos scent—a smoky, spicy blend evocative of sun-warmed South Texas stone and wood. A fan favorite, it is available as a cologne, a room spray, or a candle in the hotel’s gift shop. A great candle that’s also a wonderful excuse for a trip to Texas.
Ritz Carlton, New York The iconic hotel’s 50 Central Park scent features notes of ripe strawberries, elderflower, and mountain mint. The inspiration for this nature-influenced scent, crafted by Antica Farmacista, can be found on a “scent map” of Central Park, here. We suggest you burn this one while your relatives are out doing touristy things. You earned it. Available online ($23–$63).
St. Regis, New York Inspired by the splendor of Caroline Astor’s early-20th-century galas, St. Regis’s bespoke scent evokes the glamour of the city’s Gilded Age. Caroline’s Four Hundred includes notes of apple and cherry blossoms, palm fronds, crisp Champagne, and white lilies. It makes a great hostess gift (wink wink nod nod). Available as a room spray and a candle at St. Regis Hotels and Resorts worldwide and online ($85).
