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.