Tips for ‘Scent Scaping’ Your Hotel Room

Hotel Scent Scaping: the practice of making a hotel room more luxurious by altering the existing aroma.

(Did I just make that up? Maybe. I’ve been known to make up words coin a phrase here and there…)

I find scent to be important for one (or both) of two reasons in a hotel room: 

1. To mask something unpleasant that checked in long before you did.

2. To up the lux factor and make the space your own. 

Sometimes it means covering the lingering scent of the previous guest’s microwaved popcorn (and other…personal aromas), musty, damp carpet in a humid climate, fumes from cleaning chemicals, or wafts of cooking food coming from the restaurant next door.

Other times, it’s the simple pleasure of curling up in a bed that smells of fresh lavender, the relaxing calm of a luxurious fragrance diffused into the air, or the tranquility of a small (safely) lit candle.

Scent is a huge way to up the elegance factor of any room.

There are a few useful items you can easily throw into your luggage that will make a big difference in your hotel room scent situation. 

This travel scent diffuser is an excellent option.  It’s small, simple to use, and doesn’t require a lit flame to produce a lovely fragrance.  

Travel candles are also a good option- especially if you don’t want to rely on a power source at your destination.  (I LOVE the Mokara scent from Voluspa. It’s clean and elegant without overpowering the room just like me…)

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Just be sure that you use candles safely:

-Regularly check to be sure the bottom of the candle isn’t getting too hot

-Keep it away from any upholstery or other flammable items

-Never EVER leave an open flame unattended (even when you’re just in the shower!)

-Stick to glass or metal-pot candles with lids for clean packing 

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Nicely scented linens are also one of my favorite ways to wind down and feel cozy (and fancy) in my hotel room.     

Linen sprays are a wonderful way to keep your hotel towels, sheets, carpeting, and any other cloth or upholstered items smelling lovely and inviting. I love this brand because it doesn’t contain any weird colors or parabens and it comes in LOTS of scents. (I’m partial to the Rosewater scent, but you do you, honey.)

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come in a travel size. I like this little refillable atomizer for taking just enough with me. It’s cute, tough, and small enough to fit in your carry-on. (you can also use it for all sorts of things like perfume or facial sprays!)

*A word from the weary wise: don’t skimp on your travel atomizer. They are famous for leaking and breaking in your bag. This one is tough and works well. You have been warned.

Subtle scent also gives the room’s vibe an extra little boost of luxury- which I. am. HERE. FOR.

I don’t like to admit it, but I’ve also used a little spritz of my perfume on the bed and around the bathroom linens if I don’t have any linen spray on hand (but honey, with my perfume preferences, that can get expensive! Stick to the linen spray when you can!).

My last (and favorite) way of scent scaping a hotel room is to buy myself a big bouquet of strongly-scented flowers at a local supermarket. Obviously, this is only practical when you’re staying for a few days, but the sight and scent of fresh flowers makes me super happy. Just make sure you pick up something that can act as a vase for the flowers while you’re out.
*Bonus- if they’re still alive when you check out, you can leave the cleaning crew a little note and the flowers as a thank-you gift.

IN CONCLUSION:

Even as someone who is a self-diagnosed over-perfumer, even I don’t recommend that you do ALL of these things in one room. Choose one or two that will work for your specific trip details and rotate the options out to suit your needs each time you travel.

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