The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
Cocoa a go-go
It's a jungle out there
A dessert island fantasy (sorry), the Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat in St Lucia seems made for chocolate lovers. The jungle-surrounded hilltop lodges – with views of the rainforest and Petit Piton peak – perch beside a working cacao farm that hosts classes and tours, with plenty of samples. The ultra-local restaurant serves some of the island’s best food, including chocolate in both sweet and savoury preparations. Though the hotel natural setting is relaxing enough to help you forget it all, cocoa is rarely far from mind: the superlative spa even uses homegrown pods in its massage treatments.
Facilities
Habitaciones
Twenty-five lodges.
Checkout
Noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
Más detalles
Rates usually include a full English breakfast, and a daily shuttle service to Malgretoute Beach departing from the hotel.
Acceso gratis a internet
Lavandería
Restaurante en el hotel
Servicio de habitaciones
Spa
At the Hotel
Spa, daily beach shuttle, gardens, free WiFi throughout.
Our Favourite Rooms
There are only two room types: Lodges and Luxe Lodges – which are twice as large and have a private verandah and better views. Of the Luxe Lodges, Room 7 has the very best views and extra privacy. One of the first rooms built, it sits toward the end of the property, offering some of the best views. It also has a stunning walk-in shower that is paved with river stones and has three separate water settings to simulate rainfall. Lodges 1 to 4 have particularly clear views of the Pitons, with east-west exposure for better tropical breezes and sunsets.
Poolside
The 50-foot infinity pool is spectacular: lined in black quartz, the still water seems to perfectly mirror its views of the Piton Mountains and rainforest. The pool is surrounded by wood sunloungers and Adirondack rockers, and has cocktail service.
Spa
Cocoa Spa focuses on chocolate-centric treatments in open-air rooms with mountain views. The staff use the farm's home-grown cacao beans, butter and oil, along with banana leaves, to make antioxidant-packed lotions and oils for treatments.
Packing Tips
Though the beaches are spectacular, the forest trails are even better, so bring a pair of hiking boots in addition to flip-flops.
Also
Make your own chocolate in the Tree to Bar tour, which starts with guests cutting cacao pods and ends with creating chocolate bars. There are also self-guided walks through the cocoa groves.
Niños
Leave the kids at home for this adult-only hotel.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Snag a table along the edge for the best views of the mountain peaks.
Código de vestimenta
Though this is one of the island’s best restaurants, with top-tier food, the dress code is fairly relaxed. Opt for island-casual, including linen pants, maxi dresses and sandals.
Hotel Restaurant
The open-air Rabot Restaurant has 180-degree views of the Pitons, mood-setting candlelight throughout and a jungle soundtrack supplied by tree frogs and birds. Like the rest of the hotel, the restaurant specialises in cocoa – think nibs, pulp, powder, roasts, grinds and more – for dishes like scallops in a citrus and cacao sauce, pork tenderloin marinated in cacao beer, and yellowfin tuna with a cacao-nib crust. Save room for dessert: the rum baba is a winner. The kitchen also uses tropical island ingredients, including coconut for a bread served with a choice of three cocoa infusions: balsamic, cocoa nibs in butter and basil-nut pesto.
Hotel Bar
The Cacao Bar is open all day, from 8am to 11pm, with a blackboard listing the in-season fruits in drinks like rum punches, banana daiquiri and papaya bellini. Deep sofas are arranged to best take in sunset views, with a soundtrack of calypso tunes and classic rock. True to the hotel’s name, the bar also serves chocolate-spiked cocktails, like a cacao-infused bellini, combining cacao pulp, prosecco, lemon verbena and soursop juice. There’s also a chocolate daiquiri.
Last Orders
Breakfast is served from 7am to 10am, lunch from noon to 3pm, dinner from 6 to 8pm and the bar is open from 10am to 11pm. Afternoon tea is available from 3.30pm to 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Project Chocolat is open from 9am to 5pm daily.
Room Service
A selection of sandwiches, salads and entrées – including fresh fish – is available from 8am to 9pm daily; the minibar in each room is stocked with local beer, rum punch, wine, water and soda.
Planes
The island’s main gateway is Hewanorra International Airport (www.slaspa.com), a 45-minute drive from the hotel, while George F.L. Charles Airport is 75 minutes away. Private transfers are also available (subject to availability and an additional cost).
Automobiles
If you intend to explore the island, stop by the rental kiosks at the airport and pick up some wheels. From the airport, follow signs for Soufrière, then keep an eye out for the Rabot Plantation, on the right. Rabot Eco-Escape's staff can arrange rental cars for you on arrival, and there's plenty of free parking at the hotel.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Rabot Hotel has enough activities to keep any chocolate fan occupied for days. Relax with cocktails by the black-quartz swimming pool, which looks as if it’s filled with liquid chocolate. Set inside the guests-only Club Boucan, the pool has plenty of sunloungers, and a steward to bring around drinks and snacks throughout the day. After that, book a chocolate-centric treatment at Cocoa Spa, then head off to the groves to try and make your own chocolate bar on the Tree-to-Bar tour. You can also salute the sun at forest-set yoga sessions, or take hikes through the 140-acre estate.
St Lucia has plenty of natural wonders for exploring. The hotel staff can arrange a visit to the world’s only drive-in volcano, a hike up Gros Piton mountain, a soak in the nearby sulphur springs or boat trips to snorkel in search of leatherback turtles. Join the Boucaneer West Coast Raiding Party, a retro exploration inspired by raiders of yore that includes local lunch and rum punch as you conquer – or simply explore – Pigeon Island, Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
