FEW hotel guests can resist taking home bathroom goodies such as those mini-shampoo packs that sit on the little tray by the sink. But not many know that hotels can put considerable study into selecting those tempting toiletries treats.

Someone familiar with the science behind the sachet is Mr Adam Horler, chief executive officer of luxury bathroom product-maker Molton Brown Asia.

Top hotels can be picky in choosing their toiletries,and may even offer different sets for day and night, or weekday and weekend use, reveals Mr Horler. It's all part of making a guest feel special.

About 500 hotels around the world, including five-star and boutique ones, use toiletries from his British company.

The 37-year-old Englishman is based in Singapore with his wife, a 40-year-old yoga teacher. He travels at least twice a month, and judging from his choice of best hotels - all costing above $700 a night - he likes to do so in style.

Perhaps that's why he's never had any strange incidents, apart from"masseuses" knocking on his door in China.

Which are the three best hotels you've stayed in?

Tokyo's Park Hyatt has incredible personal service and I could find no detail wrong. Everything, from the way they greet you to the check-in, made you feel at home. A room costs between 62,000 yen ($771) and 155,000 yen a night.

Saint James Paris Hotel is one of the last chateau hotels in the heart of the city, just tucked around the corner from the Arc de Triomphe. It felt as if we owned this incredible chateau when we stayed there - we never had to sign for anything. Somehow,everyone -from the porter to the waiter- seems to know who you are and which room you're staying in. It costs between 480 euros ($990) and 780euros per night.

In Singapore,I like the iconic Raffles Hotel, which costs between $780 and $1,150 a night. It's one of the world's best experiences in a hotel. It feels so special to walk into the residents-only section. There are lots of places to sit, read and just relax.

What hotel facility can't you do without?

A gym and sauna. When one travels as much as I do, exercise is the only thing that keeps you sane. I love saunas. I can spend at least an hour going from sauna to cold pool and back again.

Ever had any interesting encounters in a hotel?

In China, a long time ago when I was much younger. There were girls knocking on my door asking whether I wanted a massage. When it happened again, I called up the front desk and told them there was a mistake and I did not want a massage. Later, I realised they were offering "massage"services. Now hotels have cleaned up their act and you don't get this.

What's the best hotel restaurant you've eaten in?

Hilton Hotel in Tokyo in 1998. It was my first visit to Japan and I had my first teppanyaki meal -which I'd never seen before - with all the fanciful cooking moves. It was also the first time I was trying Kobe beef and it simply melted in my mouth.

We washed down the meal with good chilled sake and whisky. It was simply bliss. But the meal was very expensive - it cost about US$800.

How important are toiletries to hotels?

Hotels reinforce a guest's choice by several methods,such as a smooth check-in, a good bed or having good stuff in the bathroom. Such details count.

Shampoos don't vary much, it's the shower gels that are most varied. A hotel can make a decision based on fragrance, depending on its ratio of male and female guests, or colour to suit its bathroom concept or colour-scheme.

Some make use of those with therapeutic effects, like Molton Brown's black pepper range which perks one up in the morning, or eucalyptus,which is soothing for night use. Hotels sometimes even have different sets for day and night, male and female or even weekdays and weekends, to cater for work or leisure.

What do you look for when booking a hotel?

Good location, naturally, a fully equipped gym,swimming pool, spa and a club lounge.

The reputation of the hotel is important, so you can be sure everything will be in order and you'll have a good stay.