These days, hotel bathrooms look a little different from how they used to.
The disposable toothbrushes that once sat familiarly on the sink are disappearing, while refillable, multi-use amenities are becoming a more common sight in bathrooms.
This shift is not simply about saving costs. It began as part of a broader movement to change the culture of hospitality. Since March 2024, following revisions to Korea’s Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources, certain accommodation facilities have been prohibited from providing disposable amenities free of charge. As a result, “multi-use” has naturally started to become the new standard.
AROMATICA had been preparing for this change even earlier, starting in 2020.
To help reduce discarded single-use plastic waste, we have been providing refillable amenities to accommodation spaces that share the same values. We call these spaces, which offer a more sustainable way to stay, “Zero Stay.”
Sanon, a Zero Stay space located in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
In this article, we introduce the story of Sanon, a stay that is creating a Zero Stay experience together with AROMATICA.
What kind of change can happen when a stay considers both the quality of the guest experience and sustainability?
(Left) Jerry, CEO of AROMATICA / (Right) Mincheol Kim, CEO of Sanon
Jerry: Please briefly introduce yourself and Sanon.
Sanon: Sanon is a stay built around the value of “a peaceful day of our own beneath the mountains.” We hope to help guests spend meaningful time with good people in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. We currently operate three houses in Yangpyeong and one in Andong, and next year, we are also preparing to open a small hotel in Seoul under a different brand. We are constantly thinking about our own way of hospitality so that we can offer an experience guests will want to return to.
Jerry: What led you to join AROMATICA’s Zero Stay program? Among many different brands, why did you choose AROMATICA products?
Sanon: I still remember the first time I smelled AROMATICA’s rosemary scent. I am quite sensitive to fragrance, but I genuinely thought it smelled wonderful. After using the products consistently, not only I but also the people around me were satisfied with the quality. I felt especially proud whenever friends or guests who had tried the products at our stay told me they had settled on AROMATICA afterward. Through that process, my trust in the products and the brand naturally grew.
Jerry: What is the biggest difference compared to the amenities you used before?
Sanon: Since it is a refill system, inventory management has become much easier, and we spend less time dealing with disposable packaging waste. More than anything, AROMATICA’s long-standing commitment to maintaining a refill system has built trust for us. I felt that if the brand thinks this deeply about the environment, it must also care sincerely about the people using its products.
Jerry: What has been the most satisfying part of actually using the products?
Sanon: Definitely the scent. Every time I use the products, it feels as if the air in the space is being refreshed. Especially in today’s busy world, I think it is important for the time we spend washing and taking care of ourselves to become a moment of full focus. I like that these products help create that kind of experience.
Jerry: Why did sustainability become important to you in operating a stay?
Sanon: As we continued operating the stay, we realized that people leave behind a lot of waste during their stay. The state of the space after check-out can be quite surprising. There is often far more trash to sort and more waste to deal with than expected. So we naturally began thinking that we needed to reduce it, even if only little by little.
Jerry: Was that also what led you to take an interest in eco-friendly amenities?
Sanon: Yes, it started from the same concern: wanting to reduce the amount of waste being generated. Then we discovered AROMATICA’s refill system, and the brand story was clear, which made it easy to explain to our guests. From an operational standpoint, it may require a little more effort, but we felt it was a choice that better aligned with the direction we wanted to pursue.
Jerry: What has changed since introducing multi-use amenities?
Sanon: Small plastic waste has clearly decreased, and a culture of using only what is needed has started to take root. When people travel, they often leave disposable amenities behind, or even if they take them home, they do not always end up using them. The biggest difference is that this kind of waste has been reduced.
Jerry: How have guests responded?
Sanon: We often hear questions like, “The products are so good. What brand are they?” I did not create the products myself, but I feel proud that we were able to curate good products for our guests. At times, Sanon feels almost like a small curated shop.
Jerry: Is there any guest feedback that stayed with you?
Sanon: The most memorable feedback came from someone I know who had struggled for a long time to find the right products. After using AROMATICA, their scalp condition improved, and they ended up settling on the brand.
Jerry: What kind of direction would you like to create together with AROMATICA in the future?
Sanon: I want to offer an unforgettable experience that goes beyond a simple overnight stay. I would like to try creating moments where guests can step away from daily life and fully immerse themselves, such as experiencing aromatherapy or taking part in activities like meditation and yoga.
Jerry: Lastly, what would you say to other operators who are considering Zero Stay?
Sanon: If you want to protect the environment while also offering guests a new kind of experience, I think it is a good choice. At first, I worried that it might feel inconvenient, but instead, it received even more interest and positive responses. You will be able to see how good products can change the entire experience of a space.
For those who, like Sanon, care about creating a more sustainable environment and reducing single-use plastic, AROMATICA’s refill products offer a way to take part in that change in everyday life.
The choices we repeat every day gradually change the way we live.