The History of Chocolates and Mints Under Hotel Pillows
Chocolates and mint are always a treat if you think about it. As far as tradition goes, it is often granted as a reward for good behaviour among children and even adults. Hotels and other accommodations also take part in this tradition. More often than not, they leave a piece of a wrapped mint, chocolate, or chocolate mint under the pillow for guests. It is quite an impressive gesture that would really leave you wondering – where did it start?
Cary Grant: Hollywood’s Classic Leading Man
They say that this tradition started because of Cary Grant. As you see, Cary Grant is a Hollywood actor known back in late 40’s as one of the most prominent leading men in the film industry. Throughout his lifetime, he starred in over 70 movies, garnering two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for Penny Serenade of 1941 and None but the Lonely Heart of 1944.
Mayfair Hotel
At one instance in the early 50’s, Cary Grant stayed in the luxurious Mayfair Hotel in downtown St. Louis. Several historical accounts proved that he was a frequent guest at the said hotel. Grant booked the penthouse suite at Mayfair while he waits the arrival of the woman he was supposed to meet there. As far as the timeline goes, Grant was still married to his third wife Betsy Drake – a French-born Hollywood actress, by then.
The woman, whose identity remained undisclosed until now, arrived at the suite before Grant did. She saw a trail of chocolates from the sitting room. It ran across the bedroom, lining the bed up until the pillow. A letter was also present there but no one else knew what it said.
Adapting the Gesture
When the Mayfair Hotel manager found out about the chocolate trail gimmick from the hotel staffer who laid out the chocolates, he decided to adapt the practice. From then on, chocolates were laid out on the pillow and declared as one of Mayfair hotel’s standard amenities. Word spread out fast. Soon after, hundreds of hotels began leaving chocolates on pillows for their guests. However, for some unknown reasons, the Mayfair Hotel discontinued the said practice for a while. When it was sold and rebranded as the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis last August, the new management decided to revive the practice. They procure the chocolates from local St. Louis chocolatier – Bissinger’s. From then, every room in the hotel is equipped with a chocolate on the pillow, most especially the 18th floor “Cary Grant Suit” named after the English-American debonair.
Join the Cary Grant tradition by purchasing chocolates and mints from Hotel Products Direct for your hotel, guest inn, serviced apartments, B&B or other guest accommodations. We offer delicious and versatile sweets to keep your travelling guests satisfied and happy.