Imagine the dark ages, only 30 years ago, when we all had to take our own products for an overnight hotel stay. Then in the 1980s a leading London property fell in love with the range in our Mayfair emporium, and the first dedicated Molton Brown hotel range was born. "Bubbling orange grove" was its name and it was bursting with zesty orange blossoms and oils. Up till then, the amenities business had been dominated by mass produced, low grade products filled with synthetic fragrances. The Molton Brown hotel range was of retail quality, packed with real plant ingredients, used essential oils for its aromas and had a recognised brand name. It was different: it was the first of its kind.
Molton Brown were at the crest of the wave. Travel was changing and hotels were moving from a functional necessity to a lifestyle destination. Architecture and interiors were influencing fashion. Boutique hotels became the place to be seen. Where you stayed said everything about you. It was the start of a new era.
New York, 1990 and our relationship with a landmark Manhattan property resulted in a brand new line of amenities. Here fresh ideas sat alongside some of the favourites from the South Molton Street emporium. The range was a success, the momentum continued and we soon started working with hand selected partners around the world. From Goa to Provence, Moscow to Buenos Aires; amongst the travellers you'll often see a member of our team hopping out of a little boat onto the shore of an island, shoes off, trouser legs rolled up, clutching a Molton Brown leather bag of products to meet a General Manager or Executive Housekeeper. For us, the only way to truly understand the needs of each location is to go there, however far flung.