To Scent, Or Not To Scent

Okay. This is getting to be a bit much. When will the madness end? The scent story continues today with two announcements: One company that wants to de-scent; the other that wants to make guests “feel at home while they are far from their own homes” with a signature scent. Stop, please. What am I supposed to do if I don’t like your scent? When I pass the perfume counter at the department store, I don’t like the people trying to spray me with a test bottle. Do you? So why should I be subjected to your signature scent? Spend the money on service training, a nice amenity at turndown—or just plain turndown as many full-service hotels seem to be doing away with this nicety.

Is this service enhancement or amenity creep? What do you think? As I heard one executive mention at the recent Lodging Conference in Phoenix, “Amenity creep will stop as soon as RevPAR increases stop.” Will there be room in the budget for more fragrances once this long, wonderful, prosperous ride starts to slow down?

The Park Hyatt Zurich has launched a program called "Comfort in Suites" to make the hotel feel home-like, cozier. I like the new coffee station, selection of books and high-tech sound system offered in this suite package. But the package also includes a unique fragrance designed specifically for the hotel. While I am sure it smells lovely and kudos to the hotel for trying, I just don’t understand why hotel companies like this and many others feel the need to create something for all guests that is so very personal and individual. Hire a perfumery to come in and create a scent for each individual guest and then maybe you have something.

I prefer the tact just announced by Hampton Hotels. Starting today, travelers to its hotels will be able to breathe a little easier because the brand is un-scenting more than 145,000 hotel rooms. In fact, a survey of travelers reveals 86% say the smell of fresh air and linens is a better indicator that a hotel room is clean. Of course, we don’t want the room to smell like cleaning products, but I like Hampton’s “non-scents” freshening program designed to leave the room smelling like nothing but clean air. Smmmm, ahhhhh.