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Luxury hotel brands try to differentiate themselves in all kinds of ways. One (arguably) minor way they do so is by partnering with other luxury brands on their toiletry and skincare lines. While I’m not suggesting that you should pick a hotel brand because of the toiletries that they offer, I think I’m not alone in preferring some brands to others.
In this post I wanted to share my favorite hotel toiletry brands, and then I’m curious to hear what brands OMAAT readers prefer. To be clear, my rankings are based purely on my perception of products and brands, from the packaging, to the scent, to how it feels using them, to memories I associate with them. I’m not claiming any authority with my opinion, so please don’t ask me to defend my preferences!
Still, I’m sure I’m not alone in getting more excited about some toiletry brands than others. Just to give one example, Ritz-Carltons generally use Asprey’s Purple Water line. I don’t know why, but the toiletries do nothing for me. They’re totally fine, and totally unmemorable to me.
With that out of the way, below are some of my favorite hotel toiletry brands.
In this post:
Le Labo generally supplies toiletries for EDITION and Park Hyatt hotels, and it’s probably my single favorite toiletry brand. I love how there are different scents, and how they’re often customized for individual hotels (with the branding on the bottles even reflecting that). I enjoy the scents, and also appreciate that they seem to be fairly mild.
Remède products are available at most St. Regis properties. This is probably the most controversial product line you’ll find at a major hotel, since the scent and feeling of using it isn’t really agreeable or neutral. That being said, personally I love it. To me, using Remède products almost feels like washing your hair with toothpaste, as it tingles quite a bit. I also like how the body wash has beads in it for exfoliation. I totally get why others may not like these products, but personally I do.
I love BVLGARI toiletries, including the packaging, scent, and feeling of using them. The catch is that while many hotels have BVLGARI toiletries, there’s not much consistency as to which brands have them. Yes, as you’d expect, BVLGARI hotels have these products, but that’s a small hotel group, with just half a dozen properties. On top of that, you’ll find BVLGARI toiletries at select properties of Four Seasons, Rosewood, and more.
Acqua Di Parma is another one of my favorite hotel toiletry brands, in terms of packaging and scent. The catch is that there’s not a major hotel group that consistently stocks these products, though they’re common enough among hotel groups that I feel good about including it on the list. For example, while Remède is the standard St. Regis toiletry line, the St. Regis Venice uses Acqua Di Parma products.
Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries are available at most Waldorf Astoria properties, and it’s generally the Tuscan Soul line being used. I like the scent, though truth be told, this might be the brand I feel most favorably toward because of the associations I have with it.
Back in the day Singapore Airlines would give first class passengers incredible Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits, which even included a full size bottle of cologne. I remember flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Singapore to Colombo and back, partly to pick up six bottles of cologne — that more or less paid for the award ticket, given how expensive the cologne is (and given how cheap award tickets were back in the day). 😉
Molton Brown makes great products (I particularly like the soap). While no major hotel group consistently has Molton Brown products, I find that they’re pretty common at luxury hotels, including at many Marriott Luxury Collection properties.
Admittedly this is a bit lower end than the other options, but I wanted to also throw in a toiletry brand from a more mid-range hotel brand. For upscale hotels, I’d say that MALIN+GOETZ, available at Le Meridien properties, is probably my favorite line.
The above are seven of my favorite hotel toiletry lines. As you can see, some are pretty consistently available at select hotel brands, while others are frequently offered, though not consistently at any brand. I don’t claim that my opinions are right, but the above are the toiletry brands I’m typically most excited to see at hotels.
What are your favorite hotel toiletry brands?
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adored remède in st.regis lankawi, but my favourite is Byredo from réges in cesme, turkey (luxury collection, bonvoy). atelier cologne in sofitel istanbul was as well remarkable
I love Diptyque , but other than Mandrain Oriantel Hong Kong and Qatar Airways I have not seen anyone else using them
Oh and to add on, the Mālie brand stuff that’s at the Andaz Wailea is easily the best I’ve had. Spectacular shampoo and conditioner.
My most recent Fairmont stay had Le Labo and I gotta say, I agree with Ben. They’re great!
Balmain toiletries are nice too. Same for Aesop (Since i am living in Australia lol)
Just finished staying at Nobis Hotel in Stockholm and Copenhagen (Design Hotels by Marriott) they use the PHENOMENAL Byredo products (even shampoo, which Byredo does not even sell at their own stores) that’s the best one yet for me.
Thann?
No love for Head & Shoulders? What’s up with that? Their collab with Noxzema and Gold Bond rocked my world!
Agreed with just about all of these. Recently got back from Italy and got to have Le Labo (Park Hyatt Milano), Acqua di Parma (Gritti Palace Venice, my new favorite hotel), Remede (at the St Regis Florence, I don’t personally like Remede) and Salvatore Ferragamo (Waldorf Astoria). All of those are differentiated and are just a little nudge that can make you smile about the experience.
Surprised by Remede at the St Regis Florence.
Last time I stayed there a few years ago they used Acqua di Parma though I had received an upgrade to a duplex suite so not sure if it was a Suite-specific product…
Another vote for Aesop, a true skincare product. Whereas Le Labo, a great of brand it is, is a fragrance/scent product. Both are great marketing companies though.
My pet peeve with these small bottles of potions is the ridiculously teeny tiny print used to label shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I usually don’t (okay, never) wear my reading glasses in the shower, and I swear it’s nearly impossible to see which is which, especially of the bottles are tinted, which obscures the contents.
We stayed at the Rosewood Little Dix Bay earlier this year, and they had Diptyque products in-room, which were lovely. Aside from the metallic tubes, the scent/quality of the actual products were great.
Remede is no longer used by St Regis. I had some that I got from the NYC location and used the body wash recently and enjoyed the scent. I went online to see if I could buy it and not only can you no longer buy the product online, but St. Regis has phased it out.
A hotel I stay at regularly has Dyptique products, which I love and I do like Chemin by Byredo at Luxury Collection hotels. A small hotel in Tuscany also had divine Trussardi products.
Asprey from Ritz Carlton: my favorite
Byredo, the custom scent made for Luxury collection.
Hermes in various versions, but mainly Eau d’Orange Vert.
Bucheron.
Don’t forget the slightly weird chocolate-scented shampoo and shower gel at the Sacher in Vienna..!
Molten Brown isn’t really a premium despite the price tag. Very poor cosmetic brand that is harsh on the skin and really not that special.
L’Occitaine at various hotels
Blaise Mautin at PH Vendome and Vienna.
No doubt that Le Labo wins on all levels, regardless of the scent. Though Santal 33 is still the best and the one I also purchase at their boutiques.
A few you did not mention that I also like, Aesop (though their strength is skin care which I use), Hermes, Aromatherapy, and Jo Malone.
The worst award goes to Ritz Carlton for that junk they offer in the brown containers (forgot the name…
No doubt that Le Labo wins on all levels, regardless of the scent. Though Santal 33 is still the best and the one I also purchase at their boutiques.
A few you did not mention that I also like, Aesop (though their strength is skin care which I use), Hermes, Aromatherapy, and Jo Malone.
The worst award goes to Ritz Carlton for that junk they offer in the brown containers (forgot the name as I despise it). And, thankfully, Four Seasons is moving away from L’Occitane more and more as I was never a fan.
Yep! Totally agree on Le Labo. I have oily skin and rarely use lotion. I found out that Le Labo lotion is easily absorbed into the skin and doesn’t make me feel sticky and oily. And its shampoo and conditioner’s qualities are really good. Hermes Eau d’orange verte soap is the best soap I have used so far. But its shampoo and body wash are not that good compared to those from other high end brands.
BYREDO Bal d’Afrique – I really enjoy that IHG started using my favorite one
I was so disappointed when the Luxury Collection changed its toiletry from Byredo to Acqua di Parma. Acqua di Parma is fine but cannot beat Byredo IMHO. I would like to know which IHG is using Byredo Bal d’Afrique. Intercontinental is using Agraria.
I’ll add my vote for Byredo which is widely adopted by the Luxury Collection in Europe and is now going to be the new brand for Intercontinentals replacing Agraria. I particularly love Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique!
i agree bulgari is nice — also available in emirates amenity kits
pharmacologie is also nice at some marriott hotels
It is impressive that most of the hotels within each brand around the world maintain the same toiletry brand, but I would certainly not choose to stay somewhere based on their toiletry brand. This is one of the lowest of important areas when considering where to stay and certainly does not affect my points and miles strategy. Seems more like a content filler.
Four Seasons do vary quite a bit. Many properties offer location specific products or something unique to their offerings. While the U.S. locations can often be similar (thankfully moving away from L’Occitane now) everywhere else I find pretty varied. Same for Mandarin.
I am a fan for organic and ayurvedic items so I love the Khadi Naturals at the Taj, Oberoi and the upscale Marriott (only in the subcontinent) properties. They smell so good and feel so gentle on the skin.
FYI Remede cannot be found at the St. Regis in Bombay. The scent and feel did not agree with a lot of customers early on so they moved to Khadi Naturals.
Terres d’Afrique is a nice brand you can find at upscale spots in Africa. Also love getting full size Acqua di Parma at Chedi Muscat!
I like Aesop the most. It can be found in some Park Hyatts and ultra-luxury hotels.
Wait what? Last time when I was in Gritti Palace Venice, the Acqua di Parma bottles were transparent and the liquid inside was yellowish. I guess there are two types of Acqua di Parma amenities.
Acqua di Parma is known for its Colonial line. There are many other lines later, which are cheaper and lesser recognized IMHO. The problem of Acqua di Parma is its fragrances are not so potent even though they are suitable for hot weathers.
I was pleasantly surprised to get Etro products at IHG’s Indigo Hotel in Rome
+1 for all those saying Aesop. Prefer that over Le Labo.
Also +1 for feeling meh about Ritz-Carlton’s Asprey. It’s literally just soap, no more, no less. Definitely not in the same league as the others on this list.
Can we get the same blog post for low to midrange chains?
Nothing beats the *blue surprise* in the Rodeway Inn shampoo bottles. It compliments the luxury accomodations perfectly.
MG- Hate to break this to you but its going to be 99% identical to your “luxury” brands just with a different chemical scent added. Biggest con ever, but a very successful one.
I have no idea of whether it is famous or branded or expensive or in the very best hotels….but I LOVE the long-lasting fresh scent of the shampoo, body wash and bar soap of NH Hotels, which I have found to be in use pretty much worldwide.
Le Labo Bergamote 22 at Park Hyatt Vienna.
Wish hotels had the option of fragrance free toiletries, much like the option for feather free pillows, airline vegan/kosher meals.
The same scent that is delightful to one person could be noxious to another. One’s body chemistry, diet, and the tap water’s hardness all contribute to how much a fragrance “lingers” on your body.
For most of us who stay in hotels on special occasions, and not as a matter of routine, then the scent…
Wish hotels had the option of fragrance free toiletries, much like the option for feather free pillows, airline vegan/kosher meals.
The same scent that is delightful to one person could be noxious to another. One’s body chemistry, diet, and the tap water’s hardness all contribute to how much a fragrance “lingers” on your body.
For most of us who stay in hotels on special occasions, and not as a matter of routine, then the scent in a hotel toiletry is a nice break from our day to day, but once introduced into our homes, loses its significance.
Surprised Byredo didn’t make the list as they have it at the Four Seasons Los Cabos which you’ve reviewed.
Byredo’s Gypsy Water is one of my favorite toiletry scents I’ve encountered at a high end hotel. I typically no longer take toiletries but did in that case and it turned us onto the broader brand for perfumes and candles.
I’ve gotten Le Labo at Fairmont Hotels and Aesop at Park Hyatts, and love both.
Bamford products are divine & now in Cathay Pacific lounges
I’m a fan of Shanghai Tang at (some) Conrad Hotels.
You omitted Hermès Eau d’orange verte!
Who has that?! I’m ready to book the trip to wherever.
Sofitel St. James in London had this line for guests (at least pre-C19).
Wanda Reign in Chengdu has, but good look with the quarantine hotel and booking of flights…
Yep! I want to know also. Hermès Eau d’orange verte soap is the best soap I have used so far.
It has randomly been at Sofitel hotels over the years in different locations. I have also had it at a few independent luxury properties in Europe.
It used to be at every Sofitel but then the policy changed so it was only at suites in some of them. Others, like the aforementioned St James and the Sofitel Legend in Amsterdam still carry it in every room.
My favorite has been Gilchrist & Soames.
Five Wits which comes in 5 oz bottles in the top suites at the Cosmo LV, hands down my favorite product line anywhere.
Westin Heavenly Spa white tea products are excellent too.
I miss Peter Thomas Roth at Hilton.
Aesop all day. Loved it so much that it’s what I use at home.
Malie toiletries at The Royal Hawaiian!
These are so musty!
The worst is Balmain, the brand should be ashamed of attaching their name to such horrible formulations.
Totally agree. The packaging is cheap and the product horrible.
Jo Malone’s Lime, Basil + Mandarin @ Mandarin Oriental is mine!
Unfortunately, there’s a difference between toiletries that are branded/scented by a name brand and those that actually are made by that brand.
For example: Le Labo toiletries @ PH/Fairmont are supplied by a 3rd party amenities company, who take the scents, then supplies what I think is a “watered-down” version of it. Try using the Santal lotion from your hotel and compare…
Jo Malone’s Lime, Basil + Mandarin @ Mandarin Oriental is mine!
Unfortunately, there’s a difference between toiletries that are branded/scented by a name brand and those that actually are made by that brand.
For example: Le Labo toiletries @ PH/Fairmont are supplied by a 3rd party amenities company, who take the scents, then supplies what I think is a “watered-down” version of it. Try using the Santal lotion from your hotel and compare it to the lotion sold at retail – it’s on a totally different level.
In certain cases, hotels just use the “mainline” product (like MO), and that’s great. I always prefer these over the “watered-down” versions, even if I like LL’s Santal over Molton Brown.
This is from my own experience – please feel free to correct if I’m misinformed.
Aesop – Park Hyatt Tokyo
L’Occitane en Provence. The best, by far.
One variable is many hotels have different brands in their suites compared to rooms. Four Seasons does this—I know a few of their hotels have Acqua di Parma in suites but BVLGARI in rooms.
I would say Rituals too!
Byredo, which they had at the Conrad in Las Vegas.
What about Bliss and Aesop?
I like Bliss too but I’ve outgrown W Hotels..
I love Buly which I had at Le Crillon. It’s rare for me to actually go and buy products based on the hotel offering, but Buly has great products.
Did you mean Buly 1803? If it is the case, I have never thought of that. Buly 1803 is like a niche, quirky, a little snobby (in a very French and Russian ways, LOL), and very independent French brand. Many of its perfumes are offered without alcohol but with either oil or water. And it has some really good home fragrances in the form of alabaster and candles.
Yes Buly 1803! I just purchased the hand and foot creme and it does wonder on my ashy elbows. And I love the dry huile.
Le Labo is also available at Fairmont hotels
I had it in a suite at the IC in LA.
Yep! Rose 31 it is.
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The worst is Balmain, the brand should be ashamed of attaching their name to such horrible formulations.
Just finished staying at Nobis Hotel in Stockholm and Copenhagen (Design Hotels by Marriott) they use the PHENOMENAL Byredo products (even shampoo, which Byredo does not even sell at their own stores) that’s the best one yet for me.
Le Labo Bergamote 22 at Park Hyatt Vienna.
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