Introducing Sensory Story Telling at M Gallery by Sofitel - Awaken your senses in luxurious surroundings

We were recently invited to the launch of ​MGallery by Sofitel's 'Sensory Storytelling', which is a new concept that will allow guests staying at Francis Hotel, Bath; Castle Hotel, Windsor; and Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham, to choose their own scent to help create memories that live on past their stay.

It has long been known that scent influences our memories, which is why MGallery by Sofitel has partnered with renowned scent historian Lizzie Ostrom from Odette Toilette, to create three new fragrance collections for each of its UK properties, inspired by the heritage, personality and unique story of each hotel.

Referencing each hotel’s unique positioning and drawing from archival research on eighteenth and nineteenth century perfume formulations, guests will be able to choose their fragrance as a finishing touch for their room or suite. Continuing their Sensory Storytelling journey outside the room, guests can learn about some of the individual notes and materials that make up each scent, via smell and taste through a specially-created cocktail and afternoon tea.

THE FRAGRANCE COLLECTIONS

Working with AccorHotels' perfumery team, Lizzie Ostrom has helped create nine fragrances that each tell a story and bring to life a moment from British cultural history – from the fashionable beauty products of Regency spa towns to a bouquet inspired by the Victoria art of ‘floriography’ and an aroma inspired by Windsor Great Park, each fragrance is grounded in English fragrance heritage.

​Francis Hotel’s ‘Regency Rediscovered’ collection references Bath’s evening cultures of balls, assemblies and entertainment with concoctions evoking signature drinks served at such events from the era. Queen’s Hotel’s ‘Reviving the Source of Her Heritage’ collection brings back the fragrances enjoyed by the cognoscenti of the early 19th century whereas Castle Hotel’s ‘Making a Mark on History’ collection feature recreations of original nineteenth century recipes directly inspired by the Victorian Royalty

Queen's Hotel, Cheltenham

Francis Hotel, Bath

SENSORY STORYTELLING GUEST EXPERIENCES

Ensuring the sensory journey does not end in room, each hotel has created a unique signature cocktail and Afternoon Tea heroing particular fragrance notes from its collection. Using key ingredients from Victorian baking, Castle Hotel Windsor’s afternoon tea features honey & orange delices and jasmine sponge cakes, whilst the signature cocktail playfully infuses jasmine and neroli within its serve.

Paying homage to the assemblies and parties that took place, Francis Hotel Bath serves up the ‘Beau Nash’ cocktail, a serve inspired by the man who made Bath society fashionable. In addition, orange blossom & almond cakes and nutmeg shortbread make up the ‘Capillaire High Tea’, which celebrates the ubiquitous Orange Flower used in Regency England. Rosewater was a key and expensive scent used by fashionable women in Cheltenham as a refresher during an evening out. This inspired the ‘Rose Drop’ cocktail which infuses rose syrup with Jinzu Gin served at the famed Montpellier Bar at Queen’s Hotel. Gin sorbet and cinnamon biscuits make up the unique ‘Eau d’Ange Afternoon Tea’, named after a popular fragrant remedy in eighteenth century, referencing Cheltenham’s position as a leading spa town.

In addition to the food & beverage experiences, each hotel will have a visual celebration of their unique fragrance collection via a stunning welcome floral display created by a local florist, consisting of floral notes found in their particular signature scents.

Sensory Storytelling at MGallery by Sofitel is priced at £170.00 pp, which includes an overnight stay, room fragrance, a signature Sensory Storytelling cocktail and Afternoon Tea.

www.mgallery.com