A popular hotel chain has added bacon and coffee-scented alarm clocks to rooms – and critics have complained they will ‘never stay’ there again.

The Holiday Inn Express has launched its Breakfast Alarm Clock – with a wide range of flavours.

Coffee, Bacon and Blueberry Muffin are on offer in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Nashi Pear in Japan, and Mango in Singapore and Thailand.

Holiday Inn Express by IHG is launching a world-first hotel experience with a scent-based alarm clock aiming to improve guests’ sleep and mornings, the New York Post reported. 

But not everyone is a fan of the unique new idea.

One person commented: ‘Check off holiday inn as a place I will never ever stay in now.’

The concept was inspired by new research commissioned by Holiday Inn Express.

It found 58 per cent of travellers in Asia Pacific say a pleasant smell helps, or would help, them feel better when they wake up – especially while travelling. 

The Holiday Inn Express has launched its Breakfast Alarm Clock – with a wide range of flavours

The hotel by IHG is launching a world-first hotel experience with a scent-based alarm clock aiming to improve guests’ sleep and mornings

When asked which scents would lift their morning mood, respondents named coffee or tea (56 per cent), bacon and eggs (43 per cent in Australia), baked goods (38 per cent) and fresh fruit (30 per cent). 

These top picks have now been bottled into familiar wake-up scents. 

The Breakfast Alarm Clock experience is available for a limited time from October 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and selected hotels in Thailand and Singapore.

Dean Jones, vice president of commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels and Resorts says, ‘We know from the research that travellers across Asia Pacific are struggling with sleep, and many skip breakfast when they travel – sometimes to save money. 

‘We’ve intentionally designed the Holiday Inn Express experience with the best of both worlds: everything needed for a proper night’s sleep, plus a free hot breakfast. 

‘We want guests to maximise their stay with us, whether it’s for work or leisure, or both – and the research has been a great way to direct our attention to do more of what matters most.

‘Holiday Inn Express is about offering guests more of what matters, so we wanted to take this to new heights with something that we know guests will never forget. 

‘Waking up and maintaining a routine while travelling can be harder than it sounds, which is something the research underscored for us. 

The Breakfast Alarm Clock experience is available for a limited time from October 20 in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and selected hotels in Thailand and Singapore

‘But we also know the power of scent: that first whiff of coffee or fresh croissant can work wonders – especially when it’s free.’

The alarm acts like a diffuser, releasing the delicious scent of your favorite breakfast item when it’s time to wake up. 

Rising to the scent of fresh coffee, bacon or blueberry muffins could be a welcome treat for travellers.

It is the first scent-based alarm clock created and designed by a hotel brand.