Visit Saint Lucia and the dreamy Rabot hotel from Hotel Chocolat

One evening in mid-June, overwhelmed by the past months of hard work and no breaks, I began to fantasize about a getaway trying to manifest it. After checking the prices of flights from New York to some Caribbean island, I remembered a connection made years ago in NYC. My friend Jo, former COO of Pret A Manger who worked as a manager at Hotel Rabot in Santa Lucia for a couple of years, highly spoke to me about it.

Intrigued, I looked for more information, I got in touch with the management and not even a week later from my reverie, I was inside an infinity pool, sipping an excellent piña colada during sunset, enjoying the view of the Petit Piton surrounded by nature.

This is the experience that I want to talk to you about today! I want to help you travel virtually to the Hotel Chocolat in Santa Lucia.

Visit Saint Lucia: Hotel Chocolat history and the chocolate revolution

It all began in 2004 when the first Hotel Chocolat shop opens its doors in North London, this marks the revolution in the history of British chocolate. But the idea was born in 1993 with the sale of chocolate online. To date, there are 126 shops, bars, restaurants, outlets and company outlets around the world.

The main values ​​are the ones of originality, authenticity and eco-sustainability. The luxurious eco-hotel on the cocoa farm in the Caribbean is a clear proof of this.

Visit Saint Lucia: Hotel Rabot of the Hotel Chocolat

Staying at the Rabot Hotel from the Chocolat Hotel was one of the best decisions ever made. This is a sustainable luxury hotel located in the southern part of the island, approximately 45 minutes drive from the airport.

I am not sure  if you have ever visited Santa Lucia, roads are windy and narrow, bring motion sickness pills if you are car sick. There are 25 rooms currently available at the hotel and they all offer a spectacular view of the Petit Piton, the mountain you see in this photo below.

 

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This was one of my favorite moments when I tried the floating breakfast for the first time in my life. Their breakfasts, included and unlimited, offers a menu with more than 9 options (if you scroll left to the last 2 photos you can see it) from the tropical Smoothie Bowl (yummy – one of my favorites) to Cacao nib Sweet Potato Hash, a dish of sweet potatoes with saltfish, grilled tomato and poached egg. The ingredients they use are all local.

Two swimming pools available, one of them is an infinity pool, Spa, Yoga sessions by reservation in the early morning, walks in various paths and different activities available including “Tree to Bar Class” to create your own customized chocolate bar.

View from the hotel restaurat.

View from room 18.

Here is the official website. You can always contact me before booking, they will be happy to know that you are my reference and maybe they will reserve a special treatment.

Visit Saint Lucia: things to know about Saint Lucia

The island of Saint Lucia is less than 5 hours from New York, the direct flight JFK – UVF Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort takes exactly 4 and a half hours. It is known for being the island of “honeymooners”. But it is an excellent destination for those seeking relaxation, immerse themselves in nature and disconnect from the chaos. Like me! In fact, my 4 days of unexpected and last minute travel served precisely to disconnect from the hectic New York life and reconnect with the peace of nature of a Caribbean island that has just over 180,000 souls.

Usually when you think of visiting the Caribbean you imagine beaches with white sand and clear blue water, it is not the case with Saint Lucia. Don’t expect the WOW effect of beached like Cuba, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Curaçao. One of the few beaches that are worth a visit is Sugar Beach, the beach of the Viceroy resort that you can visit even if you are not a guest of the hotel. And probably few others.

The beach is short and located between 2 mountains. If you fancy a good cocktail, piña colada or smoothie, look for Blaze, a Rastafarai Sanluciano who prepares dozens of cocktails every day for $ 10 for tourists in his mini boat docked on the beach.

Here it is, if you go bring greetings from Kiariladyboss:

In Saint Lucia, the local currency is the EDC, the East Caribbean dollar. Taxis are relatively expensive, $ 20US each way for short distances (5-10 minutes ride). The cheapest option would be the bus which does not have a timetable, it leaves as soon as the vehicle is full. Typical of the Caribbean ^ _ ^ the other option would be to rent a car.

On Friday evening you cannot miss the musical and culinary festival in Gros Islet from 6pm in the north of the island.

Soufriere is a small town, colorful but very poor, be careful when you visit it, I would avoid going there after sunset. For adventures seekers, on the island you can go climbing, hiking, visiting waterfalls and even the Sulfuric Springs for mud baths.

June – November is low season, rains and hurricanes are expected with temperatures from about 26 to 30 degrees. The rains are actually short and sporadic, I had a great time and the island it was not too crowded.

To satisfy your imagination even more, here is a video recap about this magical place.

 

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