Boucan by Hotel Chocolat | St Lucia

For nearly a quarter century, British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat has produced fine chocolates for discerning customers around the world.  Their story is unique in their native England, as they are the only UK chocolate company to maintain their own plantation.  The Rabot Estate plantation, which sources the cocoa for Hotel Chocolat candies, is located in one of the most picturesque locations in the world, right between the Piton Mountains on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.  With a name like Hotel Chocolat and some of the most beautiful real estate in the world, it was only a matter of time before the “hotel” welcomed travelers.  Today,Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is open to the world, a luxury boutique hotel in a cocoa Caribbean paradise.

This region of St. Lucia was producing cocoa long before Hotel Chocolat arrived.  The Boucan hotel sits on the Rabot Estate, St. Lucia’s oldest cocoa plantation which has been cultivating cocoa for nearly 300 years.  This 140-acre property overlooks the majestic Piton Mountains, a pair of peaks that rise out of the Caribbean sea to tower over the island.  This dramatic geography and the tropical ecology of St. Lucia give the Rabot Estate and its Boucan hotel a very special place to thrive.

During a vacation at Boucan, guests are welcomed to explore the Rabot Estate, the tropical forest that surrounds it and the Caribbean sea beyond.  Boucan offers a range of walking tours that travel through the cocoa groves throughout the 140-acre estate.  Those who wish to delve deeper into the world of chocolate can study ethical cocoa cultivation and even produce their own chocolate right on site.  For the sea-faring visitor, ferry tours, diving and sunset excursions are all on the menu each day.  If you’re traveling to the Caribbean, however, relaxation is likely to be at the top of your list.  An exclusive pool lounge called Club Boucan features a 50′ black quartz infinity pool and a bar with dining options directly to your lounge chair.  Last, Boucan’s spa is open for those who prefer a relaxing massage and purifying treatment in this pristine setting.

Boucan also features fine dining at its own restaurant, which they consider a foodie destination in its own right.  Chocolate and cocoa are featured prominently, as diners can sip a Cocoa Bellini while the main event is being prepared in the kitchen.  Boucan Restaurant aims to source its dishes locally, focusing on local produce, spices, fish and more.

Depending on the season, lodging at Boucan starts at $350/night for a 450 square foot lodge.  The larger “luxe lodges” that feature a full view of the Piton Mountains and the Caribbean Sea start at $550/night.  For more, visit the Boucan by Hotel Chocolat website and your favorite independent review network.  If you plan to visit, take our advice– leave your laptop behind and unwind a little.  You’ve earned it.

via thecoolist

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat | St Lucia