Rabot Hotel From Hotel Chocolat break

Rabot Hotel From Hotel Chocolat

Our rating: Medium

Rooms

The 14 serene lodges are nestled among the native farmland, which is a UNESCO world heritage site; in keeping with the traditions of the cacao farm, lodges have been created with traditional pitched wooden rooves and stone walls. There are two room categories at the hotel with six eco lodges and eight Luxe eco lodges. Eco Lodges have outdoor rainforest showers and views of Petit Piton, which Luxe Eco Lodges are larger with sun loungers on a private veranda and panoramic views over the Twin Pitons and the Caribbean Sea.

All rooms have king-size four-poster beds, toiletries, coffee and chocolates, daily turndown service and ceiling fans though no air conditioning.

Location

The hotel is on the southwest side of St. Lucia, steeped in ancient forest and cacao plants, the hotel faces the Petit Piton Mountain. The hotel is easily accessible from the island’s main airport, Hewanorra International Airport, which is just a 45-minute drive away. There are plenty of glorious hiking trails that guests can pick up nearby, like the Tet Paul Nature trail or a more adventurous hike up Gros Piton mountain.

Food and drink

One of the most popular gastronomic destinations on the island, the Rabot restaurant has an innovative cacao-infused menu and a spectacular alfresco dining area. The infusions of cacao in savoury dishes adds a subtle flavour and draws out the natural fragrances in other ingredients. Specialities are native seafood and fish dishes and locally grown fruit and vegetables. 

Accompanying the cacao flavours are a delightful range of cacao inspired cocktails, local rums and an extensive wine list.

Facilities and activities

The stunning 50m black granite infinity pool sits atop the mountainside with gorgeous 180-degree views reflected in the surface of the water. Relax in one of the poolside deckchairs with a good book and a fresh cacao Bellini.

Take relaxation to the next step with the onsite Cacao Spa, where all treatments are created using farm fresh ingredients the added antioxidants from cacao for a powerful therapy. Cacao-peppermint wraps, cacao and banana face masks and coconut and cacao body scrubs are just a few to choose from.

Learn more about the process of chocolate making with plenty of cacao education experiences on offer. In the Tree to Bar experience, guests are lead through the estate before selecting a ripe cacao pod from the tree, then drying the beans and learning to make their own chocolate. The tree to bean experience is shorter and just explores the first part of the transition, as does the bean to bar experience, where guests create chocolate from already dried and ready cacao beans.

Environmental and social responsibility

The hotel supports the local cacao growers, the farmers and the natural ecosystem by looking after the farm and employing organic farming practices. The single-origin cacao experience means that employees are paid a fair wage for their work.