Sweet smell of luxury

Many luxury hotels focus on beautiful design, calming sounds, soft surroundings and delicious food. But the very best target all five of our senses and also have the most amazing smell! Here we pick our favourites.

EDITION, New York

The New York EDITION is an exceptionally stylish, top-notch hotel in the heart of midtown New York’s Flatiron District, steps from Madison Square Park. The luxury hotel seamlessly blends the character of a prestigious landmark building with a simple, sophisticated design sensibility. The hotel’s custom scent is a powerful mood-setting Le Labo black tea and floral smell, which can also be bought from them in the form of a candle.

Shangri La London

On entering the Shangri La, London you are warmly greeted by a sweet scent of calm and serenity. It smells just like a gorgeous spa and is a welcome relief for guests stepping off the busy London streets. Occupying levels 34-52, the Shangri-La, London has breathtaking views of the capital and has an incredible restaurant. They also serve cocktails until late at the highest bar in London.

Grace Hotels

Stress reduction and jet lag relief are the goals at the gorgeous Grace Hotels. In-room oil warmers diffuse the scent, which can be changed (at your request) for lavender, eucalyptus citriodora or Egyptian geranium.

The Grace Hotels are a privately owned group of luxury boutique properties in the world’s most stylish destinations and resorts. They are always elegant with top service. Each Grace hotel is sympathetic to where it is based from romantic whitewashed seafront properties in the Greek Islands to a ranch-style estate property high in the wine growing region of Argentina, to an ultra-modern tower in the heart of Panama.

Como Hotels

Como hotels have their own brand of spa called Como Shambala and this runs through each of their boutique hotels in the form of products, instruction, facilities and healthy food. In the words of one of our travel consultants, “Como Shambala always smells insanely good and their little creams are heavenly. I had to stock up on Como Shambala products before leaving Como Maalifushi in November. Divine!”

Ozen, Maldives

We love the reed diffusers in the gorgeous rooms at the new Ozen resort. We are in the process of trying to negotiate with the Resort Manager about how we can import them here!

Ozen by Atmosphere at Maadhoo is an all inclusive luxury resort, a speedboat ride south of the capital, Male. It is truly beautiful and the service is excellent.

Le Sirenuse, Italy

The hotel’s award-winning signature scent—the apropos Eau d’Italie an airy mix of citrus, bergamot, black currant buds and yellow sweet clover with a touch of musk— is almost as famous as the breathtaking views of the Amalfi coast.

The owners of Le Sirenuse are the Sersale family and the palazzo that now houses the property was the Sersale’s seaside retreat. Anyone who stays cannot help but be swept up in the passion and good taste of this family.

One and Only Royal Mirage

This has to be one of Palm Bay’s most stylish resorts – the Arabian scent here was divine and combined fantastically with the music. It has 1km of its own private coastline and is surrounded by 65-acres of landscaped gardens, water fountains and meandering pathways. Bursting with intricate arches, domes and towers, the hotel pays homage to Arabian architecture with plenty of rich green courtyards and colourful gardens to wander in at leisure. We really love the atmosphere here.