Sure, it's a clean fight, but who knew
hotels (and consumers) cared so much about bathroom
amenities?
How you bathe is important to upscale properties. They care not
only that you're clean and dry, but that you enjoyed the process
more at their property than at a competitor's. The staff of the
Maison Orléans, The Ritz-Carlton's first
boutique hotel, worked
itself into a lather trying some of the world's most exclusive bath
products in search of amenities that would evoke the loyalty of the
Ritz's discriminating clientele and the ambience of New Orleans'
French Quarter.
Bourbon French Parfums, a
New Orleans perfumery established in
1843, had a special formula that offered just the right amount of
cachet. It had been originally developed in anticipation of
Napoleon Bonaparte's planned visit to New Orleans in the 18th
century. That visit never happened, but the bath formula endured
and passed through generations of New Orleans perfumers.
Maison Orléans' special lemon-verbena product line is based on that
centuries-old formula, and the staff is quick to tout its
attributes: rich; neither feminine nor masculine; and in sync with
the tradition, culture, and history of the city. Not bad for
soap.
"Where the rate justifies it, [stocking unique bath amenities] is
worth it to the property as guests perceive greater value and their
stay seems more worthwhile," says George Beier,
president of
Lodging Concepts, which manufactures and distributes personal-care
products to the hospitality industry. "You wouldn't expect cotton
balls, slippers, robes, and minibars at a hotel for $49.95 a night,
but you would, and should, expect those things at a hotel where
you're spending $350-plus a night."