Hotel Merch Gets a Luxe Upgrade: The Best Finds of 2023
Aโ quiet revolution is underway in hotel giftโ shops, moving beyond miniature toiletries and keychains.โ This year, hotels are increasingly collaborating with local artisans โand designers to offer genuinely covetable merchandise, transforming souvenir shopping into a destination experience.From bespoke fragrances to high-end apparel, the moast grand hotel merch of 2023 reflects a growing trend toward immersive luxury andโฃ supporting regional craftsmanship.
For years, hotel gift โคshops were an โafterthought, stocked with mass-produced items. Now, hotels recognize โขthe potential to extendโ the โขguest experience-and boost revenue-by โฃcurating collections that embody the spirit โof their location and brand. This shift benefits travelers seeking authentic mementos,โข local communities through economic support,โค and the hotels themselves through enhanced brand perception and increased ancillary income. the trend is expected to continue expanding, with hotels investing further in unique, high-quality merchandise offerings.
A Scent of Place: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, in Japan, has launched a signature โคfragrance, “Kyoto Bloom,” developed โin collaboration with renowned perfumer, Alberto โคMorillas. The scent captures the essence of the hotel’s serene gardens and the surrounding city, featuring notes of yuzu, cherry blossom, and hinoki wood. Priced at $320 for a 100ml bottle, โit allows guests to take home a lasting olfactory memory of their stay.
Artisanal Comfort:โฃ The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Italy’s Four seasonsโข Hotel Firenze partners with local โartisans to offer a range of handcrafted goods. Among theโ highlights is a collection of silk scarves designed by Florentine artist, Serena Porcelli, depicting the hotel’s Renaissance gardens. These scarves, priced around $250, showcase the โขcity’s artistic heritage and provide a luxurious souvenir.
Coastal Style: The Surf club, Surfside, Florida
The Surf Club, a four Seasons Resort โคin Surfside, Florida, features a boutique stocked with apparel and accessories inspired byโ the hotel’s glamorous 1930s heyday.โข A standout item is a custom-designed cashmere sweater, โpriced at $395, emblazonedโข with the โhotel’s iconic logo. The collection evokes the resort’s history asโฃ a playground for celebrities and socialites.
Local Flavors: Hotel Emma,โข San Antonio, Texas
Hotel Emma, a restored Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas, emphasizes local partnerships. Their gift shop features โa curated selection of Texas-made products, including artisanal โchocolates โฃfrom Lick Honest Iceโค Creams and handcraftedโ leather โขgoods from local artisans. Prices vary, but items generallyโค range from $20 to $150, offering guests a taste of theโ region’s culinary and artistic scene.
Enduringโฃ Style: โ1 Hotel Mayfair, โNew York City
1 Hotel Mayfair in New โyork City champions sustainability with its eco-conscious merchandise. The hotel offers a line of clothing made from โขrecycled materials, includingโ organic cotton t-shirts and denim jackets. Prices range from $85 to $200, appealing to environmentally conscious travelers.
Modern Craftsmanship:โ The Peninsulaโ Tokyo
the Peninsula tokyo collaborates withโข Japanese craftspeople to offer a rangeโ of unique gifts. A โฃpopular item is a set of handcrafted wagashi, traditional Japanese confections, presented in a lovely lacquer box. priced at approximately $80, these delicate sweets provide a taste of Japanese culture and artistry.
Chris Dwyer, a freelance writer specializing in luxury travel, food, and dining, contributes to publications including CNN.com,Travel + Leisure,and the South China Morning Post.
