Scent strips in magazines are nothing new but
a scent strip for a hotel? I was reading my New Yorker this morning when I came across the Westin White Tea scent ad.
The ads only say "White tea. The calming new scent of Westin." Curious, I opened the strip. In comparison to
other scents that come billowing out of those tiny flaps of paper, this one is mild, more like laundry detergent than
white tea. According to Brandweek, the ads will pop up
in The New Yorker, Wired, Vanity Fair, Real Simple and Gourmet. It's an interesting move away from ads that usually
focus on what the hotel looks like rather than what it smells like but I'm not sure that the pallid white tea scent is
memorable enough to haunt people into choosing a Westin hotel.Will A Scent Make You Choose A Hotel?
Scent strips in magazines are nothing new but
a scent strip for a hotel? I was reading my New Yorker this morning when I came across the Westin White Tea scent ad.
The ads only say "White tea. The calming new scent of Westin." Curious, I opened the strip. In comparison to
other scents that come billowing out of those tiny flaps of paper, this one is mild, more like laundry detergent than
white tea. According to Brandweek, the ads will pop up
in The New Yorker, Wired, Vanity Fair, Real Simple and Gourmet. It's an interesting move away from ads that usually
focus on what the hotel looks like rather than what it smells like but I'm not sure that the pallid white tea scent is
memorable enough to haunt people into choosing a Westin hotel.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-25-2006 @ 11:36PM
Stace said...
A good idea....
out of all five senses, smell is the only one that is linked to emotion and memory. People will remember it.
Reply
3-26-2006 @ 12:28AM
JasonY said...
bleah. I'm sitting here with a current edition Wired magazine next to my desk. The "white tea" smell has made my whole office smell like a laundromat. Ick.
I think they poured on the smell a little too strong. If it had been lighter I might have appreciated it, but the only thing I can think of is going into a Weston and having the room reek of this strong odor. I wouldn't be able to sleep!
of course, it might not be that bad if the new smell covered up the stink of cigarette smoke.
Reply
3-27-2006 @ 10:46AM
Laura said...
Where can I buy this?
Reply
3-29-2006 @ 10:13AM
Noelle said...
I like the White Tea scent. I don't know if it will make me think of a hotel. How can I get it in a spray bottle?
Reply
4-09-2006 @ 11:01PM
white tea addict said...
I can't believe they were moronic enough to introduce this new scent and not have it part of the Westin store they're already running to sell other stuff ranging from beds to dog gear. Why not get me used to this smell at home so that being in their hotel feels like being at home? Good lord. They saturated the market with this odor (which I happen to love and would seriously overspend to get), but haven't made it available for consumers. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.
Reply
4-15-2006 @ 5:16PM
nan said...
I totally agree with White Tea Addict - just smelled this scent in Travel & Leisure Magazine and would kill to be able to purchase it. Have been on the internet for 20 minutes now trying to find out if it is for sale - please let me know if and when it is. I think the Westin would make a good choice by selling this!
Reply
4-16-2006 @ 6:11AM
lil said...
it is not necessary to perfume a clean hotel room because in a clean hotel room there is no stink to be covered up !
Reply
4-16-2006 @ 4:27PM
Lori said...
I laughed when I read about spending 20 minutes trying to locate the White Tea scent for online purchase. That's what I've been doing--to my credit, for only 17 minutes.
Reply
4-22-2006 @ 1:35AM
RoRo said...
Well now that you all searched - -I won't bother....The smell is so appealing to me, my arm is red from rubbing the magazine against my skin! LOVE IT! please do post info if you find where we all can get it - - ugh - a great smell.....now I will consider Westin for my last minute booking this week -
see that, they're not so stupid....
Reply
4-26-2006 @ 12:23PM
rachel said...
So.. I feel in love with the scent, too. I actually called Westin. If you could imagine the conversation.."This is a really stupid question, but..." and to everyone out there that loves this scent. The good news is that they'll be releasing it to the masses for purchase, the bad news, not until June. And I'm still not sure if this is true, or if they just told me this, and are still laughing.
Reply
5-10-2006 @ 1:11AM
cathie said...
having just returned from a stay at a Westin Hotel, & i remember sleeping BETTER than i sleep at home (i travel with my own sheets & NEVER unpacked them). i also close my eyes & smell the "white tea" that was ONLY in the lobby area---NOT in the individual rooms, although i would have loved it there!!! i am anxious to purchase it for use at home!!! what a memory for my senses!!!
Reply
5-10-2006 @ 1:12AM
cathie said...
ALSO, the Westin Hotel concierge informed me that within a month the "white tea" fragrance will be available at NORDSTROMS!!!
Reply
5-11-2006 @ 1:40PM
paula j. lowe said...
Please tell me where i can purchase White Teascent
Reply
5-20-2006 @ 8:21PM
Dora C, said...
We also love the white teascent of the Westin. I need to find it for my house. I just can't get that scent out of my head!
Reply
5-23-2006 @ 11:38AM
amanda b said...
White Tea will be available in June at Nordstroms,
per Westin.
Reply
6-07-2006 @ 12:02PM
Terrie Grossi said...
The only short sightedness to this market plan was the unavailibility to purchase the scent for home and body.
I'm 48, a business owner, saavy traveler, and embarrassed to say that I also tore the page out and rubbed it on my body. The page is at this moment my wireless mouse pad with the words Westin Hotels and Resorts starring out me: Advertising job well done, Almost!!!!!
Reply
6-08-2006 @ 10:56PM
Vicki said...
Great news! Westin has chosen a soy candle manufacurer in Western PA to produce a White Tea candle for them! These candles will also be sold at Nordstrom's department stores. So keep an eye out because soon you'll be able to get the scent you love in a clean burning candle for your home!
Reply
6-12-2006 @ 9:49AM
Pia Ambrose said...
I saw the ad on Forbes and sent an email to the hotel to find out where to buy the scent.
I think the scent sums up what the hotel stands for.
Very innovative campaign...
Pia Ambrose
Media manager
Mediaedge cia - London
Reply
8-25-2006 @ 3:39PM
Bella Trix said...
Disgusting. I am allergic to perfume. I would not be able to breathe in a room filled with this. Adding scent to their rooms will keep me from ever returning to Westin again. They just lost a valuable customer.
Reply