Why Do I Want to Stay for Another Drink? The Subconscious Power of Music in Hotels

Unpacked by AFAR

Think back to the last time you stayed at a hotel: Did you notice the music playing? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, that music was likely highly curated. And this week, we explore how that music comes together—and the psychology behind it all.

Our guide is Rachel Parsons, a multimedia journalist and host of the solo travel series The Peregrine Dame. Rachel, who splits her time between London and L.A., was sitting in a hotel lounge when she overheard someone actively monitoring the music in the room. Suddenly, she was paying attention to the music in a way she never had before. And she wanted to know: What exactly is happening behind the scenes? To answer her question, she spoke with everyone from the CEO of a company that curates music for hotels to a music psychologist who shares why music is so effective in creating memories and moods.

Resources

• Read this week’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
• Book a night at the Andaz Liverpool Street
• Book a night at the NoMad London
• Listen to Ambie’s work
• Read the Psychology of Music

Meet this week’s guests

• Rachel Parsons, multimedia journalist
• Gideon Chain, CEO of Ambie
• Alex Lamont, music psychologist
• Kristen Millar, creative director NoMad Hotels