Aman Alta Fine Fragrance

If you’ve ever stepped foot into an Aman property, you know they’re the picture of quiet elegance. The same could be said of their fine fragrances, particularly Atla, a scent inspired by the brand’s New York hotel. Shaw describes it as balanced and subtle, yet full of perspective if you slow down to appreciate the nuances.

With top notes of juniper berries, saffron, cardamom, and caraway; heart notes of cedarwood, geranium, cypriol, orris, and a leathery accord; and base notes of labdanum, musk, patchouli, vetiver, and sandalwood, Atla is a layered scent experience. “These are powerful scents with a balance of spice, creamy woods, and powdery, fresh florals,” she says.

There’s also a touch of fruit, which Shaw notes helps soften the complexity. “The apricot opening gives a balanced, ripe fruitiness that isn’t cloying but imparts a subtle sweetness. The green tea note adds a vegetal brightness that calls to mind a soft breeze in a tranquil garden. The musks bring warmth and intimacy that can easily be overlooked in a fast-paced world,” she adds.

1 Hotels Signature Eau de Parfum

With notes of sheer musk, tree moss, eucalyptus leaves, sultry cedarwood, and transparent oakwood, this eau de parfum instantly takes me back to my first time at 1 Hotel West Hollywood. I was an assistant on my first work trip, equal parts overwhelmed and overenthusiastic. Since then, I’ve vacationed at several 1 Hotels, and I’m always comforted by the fact that no matter where I am in the country, the scent remains the same.

Shaw describes the fragrance as “modern and fresh,” which perfectly captures the aesthetic of the space. “This is a green-woody aromatic structure with a herbal brightness balanced by a complex, earthy base,” Shaw says. “The eucalyptus opens clean and energizing, while cedar and oak soften into a mossy, modern wood accord resting on musk. It reminds me of a walk through a eucalyptus grove after the rain, where the fresh aromatics are grounded by the rich complexity of the soil. It makes me feel calm and connected to nature, with an understated sophistication that feels both grounding and expansive.”

The Ritz Carton 50 Central Park Parfum

You might assume the Ritz-Carlton would lean a bit stuffy, but their Central Park parfum is a surprisingly playful blend that highlights fresh fruit and mint. “It’s reminiscent of a beautifully crafted afternoon refreshment,” says Shaw. With notes of elderflower, ripe strawberries, and mountain mint at the top and heart, along with black tea and fresh-cut grass, the fragrance captures the lighthearted energy of a summer day in the park.

“These notes reflect the playful spirit of Central Park—fruity and fresh with a grounding grass note,” Shaw explains. “Strawberry is a nod to the exuberance of the city and its kaleidoscope of experiences. It makes me feel youthful and free, transported back to those sunlit days of summer vacation when time felt endless and possibility was everywhere.”

Plaza Eau De Parfum

If you’re ever lucky enough to stay at Eloise’s house, you’re going to want to take the bright, energetic fragrance home with you. With top notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and verbena; a heart of Texan cedar (yeehaw), oud, and iris; and a base of amber, precious woods, and leather, it’s a scent that feels refined yet full of personality.

Shaw describes it as having “unexpected complexity,” adding that a trio of citrus notes creates a sparkling opening, while aromatic verbena bridges the top and heart, guiding the fragrance into its soft floral core. From there, it settles into a base of sultry amber, resinous woods, and a touch of fine leather. Pumphrey adds, “This fragrance leads with a big gardenia note, which is smart when you’re trying to impart a sense of luxury. It’s heady, intoxicating, and rich.”

Le Labo Rose 31

Would a rose by any other name smell quite as sweet as it does at the Fairmont? “Rose 31 twists classic rose with spicy cumin and smoky, resinous woods,” Shaw says. With top notes of rose and cumin, heart notes of rose, vetiver, and cedar, and a base of musk, guaiac wood, oud, olibanum (frankincense), and labdanum, it’s a scent that’s rich, complex, and full of contrast.

“It’s a bold choice for a hotel fragrance, but likely results in a strong emotional connection with guests,” Shaw explains. “It reminds me of a spice market—big, bold flavors and scents perfuming the air and engaging the senses. It makes me feel confident, intriguing, and slightly mysterious.”

DS & Durga Bowmakers

We were pleased to find out that the scent featured at Thompson Hotels is Bowmakers by D.S. & Durga—one of our favorite perfumers known for their unique compositions and even more unique scent descriptions. With top notes of violin varnish, mahogany, and outdoor accord; heart notes of amber pine rosin, maplewood, and cypress; and a base of spiced tree resin, cedar, and moss, this fragrance is overwhelmingly woody in the best way.

Inspired by the wild forests of Massachusetts and the rich bounty of wood used in violin-making, Bowmakers is described by the brand as an unapologetic celebration of wood in all its forms. “Mahogany, pine, maple, cypress, and cedar span the perfumer’s palette, searching for a delicate balance within the forest’s depths,” Shaw says. “It reminds me of the scent of a woodshop as a master artisan transforms raw nature into a polished, refined instrument.”