small indulgences
my company has some kind of corporate relationship with starwood hotels, so i end up staying frequently at a sheraton or westin. i've been elite in their loyalty program for a couple years now, so i get the preferred-guest rooms with the fancy toiletries... including body wash. which i never used to use, but tparnell and jpenamelist turned me on to the joys of a bubbly scrubby, and now i'm hooked!
sheraton used to have pantene shampoo/conditioner and vasoline lotion - acceptable, but nothing to write home about. (i still brought it all home with me - the shampoo/conditioner for the local women's center and the lotion for thebroomecloset.) several months ago, starwood acquired the bliss spa company, and sheraton upgraded their toiletries to a custom line, shine - which i love. it's fresh citrus without being overpowering or cloying...
and now the westins are following suit. i've always been a fan of their heavenly bath line - it's a refreshing herbal scent with a little minty tingle... but their new white tea / westin spa toiletries are even better!
the W hotels have the hands-down best toiletries of starwood, though - they have the true bliss spa lineup: fabulous foaming face wash (with tiny little exfoliating beads), lemon + sage shampoo, conditioner, "soapy sap" shower gel (a wonderful green scent!), and - best of all - body butter. i picked up a set when i was down in mexico city last year and have been hoarding them even since, using them only when i really needed a pick-me-up...
(the overseas hotels tend to have nicer stuff than the US hotels, in general; i stayed at the sheraton heathrow in june, and they had molton brown toiletries. talk about spoiled! ziao jao shampoo, indian cress conditioner, heavenly gingerlily shower gel, and coco de mer lotion. omg, yum.)
and yes, i really am this enthusiastic about hotel toiletries. there's nothing like getting all disgustingly sweaty during my morning workout and then washing my hair, scrubbing my body, and putting on lotion, all with a wonderful, refreshing scent. it's like starting my day off with a trip to the spa, except that that it's free, and in my shower! :)
sheraton used to have pantene shampoo/conditioner and vasoline lotion - acceptable, but nothing to write home about. (i still brought it all home with me - the shampoo/conditioner for the local women's center and the lotion for thebroomecloset.) several months ago, starwood acquired the bliss spa company, and sheraton upgraded their toiletries to a custom line, shine - which i love. it's fresh citrus without being overpowering or cloying...
and now the westins are following suit. i've always been a fan of their heavenly bath line - it's a refreshing herbal scent with a little minty tingle... but their new white tea / westin spa toiletries are even better!
the W hotels have the hands-down best toiletries of starwood, though - they have the true bliss spa lineup: fabulous foaming face wash (with tiny little exfoliating beads), lemon + sage shampoo, conditioner, "soapy sap" shower gel (a wonderful green scent!), and - best of all - body butter. i picked up a set when i was down in mexico city last year and have been hoarding them even since, using them only when i really needed a pick-me-up...
(the overseas hotels tend to have nicer stuff than the US hotels, in general; i stayed at the sheraton heathrow in june, and they had molton brown toiletries. talk about spoiled! ziao jao shampoo, indian cress conditioner, heavenly gingerlily shower gel, and coco de mer lotion. omg, yum.)
and yes, i really am this enthusiastic about hotel toiletries. there's nothing like getting all disgustingly sweaty during my morning workout and then washing my hair, scrubbing my body, and putting on lotion, all with a wonderful, refreshing scent. it's like starting my day off with a trip to the spa, except that that it's free, and in my shower! :)