How Luxury Hotels Can Boost Guest Satisfaction with Custom Scented Candles

By Flora, Candle Supply Expert at IKEDA CANDLE

Picture this: A guest walks into a high-end hotel lobby and is immediately greeted by a subtle, calming aroma of lavender and vanilla. Their shoulders relax. They take a deep breath. Without a word, your brand has already made a lasting impression.

This is the power of strategic scent marketing—and for hotels, spas, and retailers, custom-scented candles are one of the most cost-effective ways to leverage it.

But here’s the problem: Most B2B buyers overpay for bulk candles because they don’t know how to source them efficiently. Some deal with unreliable suppliers who miss deadlines. Others settle for low-quality wax that burns unevenly, leaving guests unimpressed.

After supplying candles to over 200 hotels and boutique retailers, we’ve helped clients cut procurement costs by 15%+ while elevating their brand experience. Here’s how you can do the same.

Why Luxury Hospitality Brands Are Switching to Custom Candles

A recent study by Scent Marketing Institute found that:

75% of emotions are triggered by smell (far more than visual or auditory cues).
Hotels using signature scents see 40% higher guest retention.
Guests are 20% more likely to spend in areas with pleasant aromas (like lobbies or spas).

But generic candles won’t cut it. Today’s top brands use custom-blended fragrances that align with their identity. For example:

A boutique spa in Bali uses our lemongrass + ginger candles for an “invigorating yet zen” vibe.
A luxury ski resort in Switzerland opts for cedarwood + vanilla to evoke warmth after a cold day outdoors.

The takeaway? If you’re still buying off-the-shelf candles, you’re missing a branding opportunity—and likely overspending.

3 Mistakes Most B2B Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Wax for Bulk Orders

Not all wax is equal. Many suppliers use paraffin (cheap but toxic) or soy blends that tunnel or melt too fast. For commercial use, you need:

Coconut-apricot wax (clean burn, 60+ hour lifespan)
Phthalate-free fragrances (no headaches for guests)
Pre-tested wicks (no soot on hotel ceilings)

Pro Tip: Ask suppliers for a burn test video before ordering. We send these to all clients within 48 hours.

Mistake #2: Overpaying for “Luxury” Packaging

Fancy boxes look great—but they eat into your margins. Instead:

Use minimalist, recyclable tins (saves 30% on shipping vs. glass).
Bulk-print labels (we offer 5,000+ units with no setup fees).
Skip gift boxing (most hotels remove packaging anyway).

Mistake #3: Not Planning for Seasonal Peaks

One hotel chain we worked with ran out of candles right before Christmas because their supplier needed 12-week lead times. Now, they stock up in August using our forecasting template.

Want our free “Peak Season Order Planner” for hotels? [Download Here]