What should a home smell like? The answer may surprise you: it’s “nothing!” A “neutral” smell is what you should aim for, at the very least, so your first task will be to identify any bad odours in the home and track down their sources. 

Not sure where to begin? The usual suspects are rooms that trap moisture (like bathrooms and kitchens), and frequent-use household items that may not have been laundered in a while, such as sofa covers and rugs. Stashing laundry that isn’t fully dry into your cupboards can also create a funky odour, which can seep into the rooms. 

If you haven’t discovered anything out of the ordinary, you may not be in the clear… yet. We become desensitised to familiar scents, and our noses tend to perk up only when a new smell is present. Pet owners will recognise this phenomenon, where visitors detect a distinct odour that the owners have long become accustomed to! 

Note that disposal areas within the home—such as trash and diaper bins—are likely to smell worse to a newcomer than to you. The best way to keep unpleasant odours at bay is to ensure that garbage is disposed daily, and “vulnerable” areas cleaned regularly, say once a month.

Once you’ve tackled the bad, you can up your game by introducing fragrance into your home. Deciding between the scented candle and the essential oils diffuser? Choose the diffuser—burning candles give off smoke and particulate matter, and there are health concerns surrounding this.

For many, the best part of entering a hotel room is the sight (and feel) of a freshly made bed. How do you give your own bedroom the professional housekeeping treatment? If you haven’t mastered the art of making your bed, here are some tips that can help:

For those who have flat sheets, watch this video to learn to tuck your sheets under your mattress the way it’s done in hotels, by folding “hospital corners”:

Using a fitted sheet? You can purchase sheet fasteners (also called “sheet straps” and “sheet suspenders”)—these are elastic bands with clips that go under the mattress. The clips are attached to the corners of your fitted sheet, either straight or diagonally across, so that your sheet gives the appearance of a tighter fit. Sheet fasteners are usually inexpensive, but you may need a few tries before you find fasteners that work well with your bed.

Need a sheet softening hack? Heed Apartment Therapy’s recommendation, which is to add one cup of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar to your laundry detergent when you’re washing your sheets. Try it and feel the difference!

There will be days where you might crave a little comfort, and a bowl of nourishing soup could do the trick. Our executive chef of Hai Tien Lo, Ben Zeng a simple way to create a “Double-Boiled Silkie Chicken Soup with Korean Ginseng, Dried Scallops, and Fish Maw.” 

Note: Apart from the ingredients, you’ll need a double-boiler for preparing the soup. If you don’t have one, it can be easily improvised.

More inclined towards dessert? Follow Chef Zeng’s quick video to learn how to serve up a caramel pudding, which will bring smiles to all at home!

But of course, if you’re off duty for the day and prefer someone else to handle kitchen duties, you can still enjoy “room service” from Pan Pacific Singapore! Simply click here to order gourmet takeaways from Hai Tien Lo and the Pacific Marketplace. (Available for self-collection or delivery to your home.)

Haven’t tried Hai Tien Lo? Pan Pacific Singapore’s award-winning Cantonese dining restaurant is helmed by Chef Zeng, who previously honed his culinary skills at celebrated restaurants, including Hakkasan Miami in the US. He takes inspiration from his travels as well as his extensive experience in kitchens around the world, and believes in using the freshest seasonal produce, while elevating classic Cantonese flavours with unexpected twists. 

For lighter bites, choose from the Pacific Marketplace’s selection of Asian delights, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Or enjoy our hotel’s signature hams and sausages from the charcuterie counter.

Wondering how to recreate a soothing spa experience at home? Follow these easy steps by our St. Gregory Spa expert:

Love the feel of a warm towel over your hands or face? You can have one at home too! Simply soak towels in hot water and wring them out when you’d like to use them. As a special touch, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the water.

To set the mood for relaxation, you’ll also need the right music. Experiment with playlists on Spotify or your favourite streaming app, until you get one that makes you feel at ease. Note that spas usually use instrumental music, which is less jarring to the senses.

Chilling out in a bar with friends may not be in the cards for now, but you can still shake up a mean cocktail for yourself. Women especially may have swooned over the recent viral video of Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci making a negroni, but it’s just as easy to make your own cocktails. Try our Pacific Blossom Cocktail recipe and tell us what you think!