Remember that time you were walking down the street and suddenly you felt your ex-lover’s perfume? You might have ended on good or bad terms, recently or a long time ago, but one thing is for sure: that scent transported you immediately and reminded you of how it was when you were together. The sense of smell has a powerful role in affection and memory, but most of the time, we forget about it when it comes to intimacy and our sex lives. In this article, we’re going to explore how to use aroma to enhance intimacy and pleasure in your next romantic escapade. 

Why is the sense of smell so powerful?

This is the first question we need to tackle because it also explains its sensual potential. We process scents through a zone in our brains called the olfactory bulb, which is directly connected to the limbic system, including the amygdala and the hippocampus, two regions responsible for creating emotions and memories. When those scents happen simultaneously with pleasant or unpleasant feelings, memories are even stronger. 

Picture, for example, what happens when you smell freshly baked bread. That scent calls you immediately to action (at least, it makes you salivate, even if you stop yourself from buying bread) because it makes you remember the times you’ve eaten and enjoyed fresh bread.  Similarly, unpleasant scents (for example, garbage or vomit) are significant because our brain instantly associates them with memories. 

Use sensual scents to heighten intimacy 

So, we get it, we all like nice smells. But how do you use them in the bedroom? 

First, when planning a couple getaway, you want to create a safe and intimate environment. Our private suites are ideal for this type of romantic experience because they are designed to be comfortable, cozy, and provide all the elements you need to let your imagination (and pleasure) fly high. 

You want to dim the lights and choose whether you want to use oils, candles, or incense, to name a few options. Whatever you prefer, make sure not to mix too many fragrances, or it might turn into an unpleasant experience, and if you are using more than one fragrance (for example, by lighting a sandalwood incense and using a vanilla-scented oil for a massage), make sure they make a nice match before meeting with your partner. 

So, picture this: 

You two arrive at one of our themed suites, and you light a few scented candles for a dim yet warm illumination. Your partner lies facing down, and you start giving them a massage with a sweet almond or vanilla oil, starting at their feet and working your way up through their legs, back, shoulders, neck, and skull. As you massage in circles, your partner relaxes, feels safe, cared for, treated with love, and their heart and body open up to receive you. By this point, it is likely your partner’s breath has changed, becoming deeper, slower, and perhaps they sigh from time to time. 

After you’re done working on your partner’s back, ask them to turn facing up and gently caress their body from the feet up with your fingertips, slowly spreading scented oil. (For ideas on which erogenous zones to explore and how, take a look at our series on 31 erogenous zones.) Finally, ask them to turn onto their side and hug them, so you can receive some of the oil that has been impregnated on their skin and continue making love.