The Ultimate Hotel Lobby Candle Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again—you’re doing your holiday shopping and it occurs to you that when in doubt, you can rely on a universally beloved present.
Candles are great because they are small and easy to travel with, they help set cozy vibes around the holidays and pretty much everyone loves them because when you’re done with a candle you can recycle the jar.
If you know me you know I’m a huge fan of Lindsay Silberman’s Hotel Lobby Candle brand and between purchasing candles for myself and for loved ones over the years and through some very generous PR mailers from the brand, I have had the honor of sniffing most of the scents.
That’s why I’m here to describe what you can’t smell through your laptop and let you know who I think should be on the receiving end of each HLC scent.
Please note: This blog post will only contain reviews of candles I have personally smelled but if you have intel on the other Hotel Lobby Candle scents please leave a comment!
New York
Inspired by the city that never sleeps, the New York candle is a unique candle blending scents of amber, cedar leaf and patchouli to create a unisex fragrance.
Smells like: a warm hug on a fall day in Central Park
Where to burn: anywhere in your home
Give this to: your friend who always has a flight booked
Paris Nuit
If floral and fruity scents are not your thing, Paris Nuit will lure you in with notes of sandalwood, mahogany and tobacco.
Smells like: an evening at the bar at a swanky Parisian hotel
Where to burn: in the entryway of your home to make an iconic first impression
Give this to: a newly engaged couple or anyone trying to cozy up under the mistletoe
Holiday
If the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t officially kick off for you until you’ve been to the Christmas tree farm, you’ll love the fresh pine scent of Holiday.
Smells like: the most luscious evergreen tree you could imagine
Where to burn: next to the Christmas tree or wherever you gather for the holidays
Give this to: a family member who is hosting during the holidays this year
Cabin
Longing for a cozy weekend in the woods? Cabin will make that dream a reality no matter where in the world you are, with notes of forest wood and peppercorn.
Smells like: being huddled around a wood-burning fireplace with loved ones
Where to burn: in your living room, preferably while snuggled up with a book
Give this to: the homebody in your life who prefers mental vacations to real ones
Lodge
Vanilla bean and bourbon are an unexpected but brilliant pairing in the new 2023 holiday scent Lodge. Lodge is a warm fragrance that will help you embrace the season with the flick of a match.
Smells like: drinking an espresso martini after a day of skiing
Where to burn: in your home office for a soothing cold-weather scent throughout your work day
Give this to: your friend who genuinely loves everything about winter
Aspen
Inspired by Hotel Jerome in Colorado, the Aspen candle blends scents like tooled leather and golden embers to create a subtle scent that will transport you to the mountains.
Smells like: a luxury take on the great outdoors
Where to burn: in your dining room, since it won’t overpower the smell of your food
Give this to: your friend who is into astrology and past lives (and was probably a cowgirl in hers)
Miami
You know how you feel when the sun hits your face on a perfect Saturday afternoon? That’s what lighting Miami is like—combining notes of bergamot, cashmere and white petals.
Smells like: getting served a margarita at a private cabana on the beach
Where to burn: in your bedroom
Give this to: your friend who always has a crazy story to tell you
Spa
Eucalyptus, water mint and jasmine create the refreshing scent that is delivered when you light Spa. Put some cucumbers over your eyes after taking a steamy shower to really get in the spirit.
Smells like: a deep exhale next to a waterfall
Where to burn: in your bathroom
Give this to: your mom, aunt, or anyone else on your list who deserves a moment to relax
Capri
If you love zesty and citrus-y scents, you’ll find your perfect scent in Capri. With notes of citrus bitters, sea salt and amaro liqueur, you’ll be craving a rewatch of White Lotus Season 2.
Smells like: ordering an Aperol Spritz on the coast of Italy
Where to burn: in the kitchen, before or after cooking
Give this to: your neighbor who invited you over for charcuterie and cocktails
My overall thoughts
When it comes to giving Hotel Lobby Candles for the holidays, if you want to go with a crowd-pleaser gifting New York is hard to beat. If you want to give a scent for the holidays that the recipient can burn well into January, Holiday and Lodge will both do the trick to keep the cozy vibes going after the decorations are back in storage. My personal favorite is Miami because of the balance of citrus and sweet smells.
There are still a few I haven’t smelled yet including Positano, Linen and…weirdly Signature?? So I’ll have to update this post as I try more.
Hotel Lobby Candle FAQ’s
What is Hotel Lobby Candle?
Hotel Lobby Candle is a brand founded by Lindsay Silberman. Lindsay is former editor turned content creator and blogger who created Hotel Lobby Candle inspired by her travels. Hotel Lobby Candle launched with a signature scent and have since dropped collections inspired by cities and seasons.
What makes these candles so special?
As a former editor myself, I really appreciate the stories and inspiration behind how each candle is made. I also think they’ve already been vetted by Lindsay who I know won’t release a scent until she’s 100% happy with it. One of my favorite details is that each candle comes with a hotel room key card on it with instructions about trimming the wick and other tips for your candle.
Plus, the ingredients are high quality (made with soy wax) and are free from toxins and chemicals.
Are they worth the price?
This is one of the top questions surrounding HLC and I think it really comes down to each individual person’s preferences. I love gifting these candles because that ~$50 price point makes me feel like I’m getting someone something they might be slightly hesitant to treat themselves to if they haven’t tried the brand yet.
Personally, I will typically burn candles from this brand for special occasions or around the season I feel they’re meant for and rotate through more affordable options for everyday. The burn time for a Hotel Lobby Candle is 65 hours and the candles are 9.75 oz in size.
Where can I buy Hotel Lobby Candles?
You can buy all of the candles included in today’s post at HotelLobbyCandle.com and you can buy select scents on Neiman Marcus.
I hope you loved this post and found it helpful! Which Hotel Lobby Candles are you buying this season? Let me know in the comments!
yours,
Austen
