We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
So many memories are tied to scents, and what is nothing more transporting than getting a whiff of the lobby of your favorite farflung stay. At their best, hotels are an experience, not just a bed to sleep in or a place to take a shower. An easy way to catch that vibe regularly: a hotel’s signature candle. Adding a perfumed slice of a memorable past holiday (or a dream future one) to your entry, living room, or bathroom takes you there any time you want. For example, I’ll never forget how sultry the Jacques Garcia-designed L’Oscar London smelled when I stepped foot inside—thanks to the Roja Parfums-crafted L’oscar Pour Femme. Or the bewitching way palo santo swirled in the night air as I drove up to Scotland’s Boath House for the first time.
Below, we sourced the best hotel candles to help you bring your vacation home. (If there’s one you love that didn’t make the list, tell us in the comments!)
Shinola Hotel Candle
Scent Notes: Wood-burning fireplace, mascara cherry, an Old-Fashioned, leather
Why we like it: It’s appropriate that the signature candle for Detroit’s Shinola Hotel, a brand known for its watches and leather goods, would evoke sitting in a cozy library, drink in hand. The candle is made with coconut soy wax blend and has a 40-hour burn time; go ahead, reuse the vessel for your next cocktail.
The Edition Candle
Scent Notes: Black tea, citrus, smoke, chocolate, pepper, and floral notes
Why we like it: After staying at the Edition Hotel in Miami, our home editor Lydia Geisel knew she’d found her new scent (and a go-to housewarming gift for friends). Geisel notes it’s a little pricey, so she burns it sparingly. You can get it on Amazon, too.
Candle Aqua Como 1787
Scent Notes: Fruits and flowers that grow in Passalacqua’s gardens
Why we like it: Situated on the shores of Lake Como, Passalacqua is more than a hotel; it’s a state of mind. The 18th-century villa is surrounded by lush gardens, which informed the candle’s fragrance. If you look at photos of this magical place, you’re immediately transported, and the same goes for lighting the candle.
JW Marriott Flamingo Estate Expansion Candle
Scent Notes: Holy basil leaf, white lotus flower, rosemary, ginger, neroli, and amber
Why we like it: It’s smart of JW Marriott to partner up with Flamingo Estate, the Los Angeles–based home brand known for its candles, kitchen goods, and body care essentials. Their collab, Expansion, has a grounding aroma inspired by the Lily Kwong–designed gardens at select properties and a 55-hour burn time. You’ll smell it in all lobbies and public spaces.
Nine Orchard Candle
Scent Notes: Bergamot, neroli, seawater, orange flowers, cedar, musk, amber
Why we like it: If you haven’t poked around Takamichi Beauty Room, a gem of a store sandwiched between Union Square and Gramercy Park, put it on your list. It’s helmed by hairstylist Takamichi Saeki, who recently introduced his plant-based candles under his own name. While one of her concoctions is inspired by Tokyo, the other is a collaboration with Nine Orchard, the buzzy downtown hotel that also stocks Takamichi bath products. It’s an alluring scent that changes with the weather and its location, anchored in citrus.
The Spa At Hotel Chelsea x Sidia Muse Candle
Scent Notes: Mandarin flower, rose, jasmine, vetiver
Why we like it: The official fragrance of Hotel Chelsea’s spa, Muse, was created with body care and candle brand Sidia. We’re very into Sidia’s hand exfoliant and serum, and we can’t imagine a more beautiful hotel rooftop to seek refuge, so naturally we were drawn to this hand-poured option. It’s hand-poured with a 50-hour burn time.
Palm Heights Signature Candle
Scent Notes: Coconut, vanilla, and lime
Why we like it: Palm Heights is the epitome of Caribbean cool. Every influencer, not to mention celebrity, seems to be drawn to the sexy, sun-dappled world that Gabriella Khalil has built. Burn this tropical-scented candle and you might just feel a little white sand between your toes. A cabana-esque striped vessel adds an extra layer of design to this one, and the burn time for the mineral wax is 60 hours. We’re waiting for the amber, santal, and patchouli version to be back in stock, too.
The Ritz-Carlton 1927 Candle
Scent Notes: Vanilla, crisp mandarin, spicy bourbon, black tea, and tobacco
Why we like it: Maybe it’s a little too on the nose that a candle inspired by a hotel in Boston has black tea notes, but we don’t mind in this case. The city’s Ritz-Carlton, which was established in 1927, brought a whole new level of service to hospitality in America. It’s old-world, luxurious, and inviting—just like the scent. Made by Antica Farmacista, the understated vessel has wax with a 60-hour burn time.
St. Regis Caroline’s Four Hundred Candle
Scent Notes: Rose, hyacinth, white lily, green stems, and fruit blossom
Why we like it: Featured in all St. Regis hotels, this Arquiste for St. Regis candle captures the grandeur of New York’s Gilded Age society. Inspired by the unforgettable balls Caroline Astor would host—the name references the number of guests—it brings together all the flowers that adorned her parties, including American Beauty roses and potted apple blossoms. There’s even a hint of Champagne.
The Carlyle Honeysuckle Candle
Scent Notes: Honeysuckle
Why we like it: If you’re a sucker for Bemelman’s Bar, a short jaunt to the Met, and the bar soap from the Carlyle on New York’s Upper East Side, this one’s for you. The hotel distilled its well-loved, honeysuckle-scented soap into a butter yellow wax in a sleek glass holder. Once you’ve burned it for 18 hours, you can use it for makeup brushes, hair ties, or any other bathroom essential.