Not Your Mama's Hotel Soaps

Lately, I find myself not only inquiring about what's in the hotel room, but what's in the bathroom.

This habit started with a stay in at the Serrano Hotel in San Francisco where I was indulged with fabulous sample sized Aveda Products from shampoo to body wash. It was the first time I found I could actually use the hotels amenities and wondered if I could leave mine at home on my next stay at the Four Seasons Seattle. The answer was yes when I discovered that L'OCCITANE en Provence Products are stocked - including my favourite shea butter soaps and Verbena Body Lotion.

Discovering favourite products in hotel rooms quickly became something to look forward to. On a recent stay at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco, I was in love with my one bedroom suite but it was the Frederic Fekkai products from shampoo to face wash to body lotions that really grabbed my attention. Not only was I staying in style, but with a little rub of lotion, I was feeling in style as well.

It's not just big hotels realising the appeal of a well stocked vanity; smaller properties such as the Harvest Inn in the Napa Valley are in the act with The Thymes line and fresh made local soaps which smell divine.

Understanding how products can influence a traveller, Pacific Palisades in Vancouver BC recently updated their current toiletries by announcing they are teaming up with local spa and aromatherapy store, Bloom Essentials to provide hotel guests with bath amenities that will deliver an aromatic experience.

Seems like hotels just can't stick plastic bottles filled with liquid and call it soap anymore.

And frankly, I wouldn't want them to.