South China Morning Post November 2020 / Halcyon House candle feature
Why do hotels smell so good?
As I write this, I am at Halcyon House, in Cabarita Beach, Australia.
Not literally – the global pandemic will not allow it – but figuratively, as the hotel’s “signature scent” wafts from the lighted candle on my desk.
Our sense of smell is a strong memory trigger, scientists have found. That appealing fragrance you notice when you arrive at a great hotel is not only an olfactory welcome, it can stay with you (hopefully in a positive way) for years after the trip.