Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is the ultimate retreat for the chocolate obsessed. Perched 1000 feet above sea level in St Lucia’s oldest cocoa plantation (established 1745), this unique hotel treats chocoholics to non-stop, 24/7 adoration of the humble cacao bean.
Each of the 14 lodges has open-sky rainforest showers and up-close views (very-up close) of the cone-shaped Petit Piton volcano.
Angus Thirwell and Peter Harris founded their premium chocolate empire nearly 20 years ago in the UK. They are one of the few chocolate makers who actually grow cocoa. After starting as a mail order business they quickly evolved into a highly successful online brand that now has many bricks and mortar stores as well in Britain, The Netherlands and the US. (TML featured Hotel Chocolat in 2009 in issue 6). Known for their authentic small batch chocolate Hotel Chocolat now also has cafes in London and Copenhagen.
Responsible luxury is mantra at Boucan with rainwater harvesting, solar power and natural air conditioning from the rainforest’s cooling breezes. The lodges are sleek and contemporary but sumptuous.
If your idea of a dream holiday is to wake in the morning in the middle of a cocoa estate to the scent of cocoa breezes, with cocoa for breakfast, maybe a few laps in the infinity black quartz pool that hangs over the jungle, then a cocoa spa treatment followed by a chocolate martini at sunset, Boucan by Hotel Chocolat is for you. . www.thehotelchocolat.com or www.designhotels.com
