The Cacao Collection: Five hotels to indulge your chocolate fixation

“Love chocolate? These five luxury hotels, as chosen by travel blogger Fiona Maclean, of London Unattached, offer the chance for an immersive chocolate experience, either on site or close by. Learn how chocolate is made, from bean to bar, explore the art of the chocolatier or experience the beneficial effects of chocolate spa products. Read on for more on how you can indulge your senses and discover more about chocolate.

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Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, St Lucia
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For an authentic tree to bar experience and total immersion in chocolate, head to Boucan by Hotel Chocolat in St Lucia, a working chocolate estate on the slopes of the piton near Soufriere in St Lucia. You can learn how to farm cacao, try your hand at making chocolate, or, if you prefer, indulge in one of the chocolate themed spa treatments. Then, there’s the remarkable cacao themed restaurant and bar where every dish includes cacao in the subtlest possible way.

Have a look at our hotels in Soufriére page for more options.

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Rosewood Hotel, Mayakoba Riviera Maya, Mexico
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For total indulgence, stay at the Rosewood Hotel, Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, where you can enjoy stunning chocolate-based spa treatments like the Eclipse Sun and Moon journey for two, complete with cacao, crushed rose petals and Neroli scrub and wrap. The hotel can arrange a private chocolate cooking class where you’ll learn how to use the produce of Ah Cacao, a premium Mayan chocolate producer. Interesting fact for your travels – the Riviera Maya is where the cacao seed is said to have originated.

Have a look at our hotels in Playa del Carmen page for more options.

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Calabash, Grenada
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The formation of the Grenada Chocolate Company has inspired a burgeoning artisan bean to bar enterprise on the island with five producers. The rich chocolate culture for visitors includes estate tours and bean to bar chocolate experiences, as well as a world-famous annual chocolate festival. Interested? Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel is the product of local entrepreneurial spirit and provides a luxurious base from which to explore the chocolate production on this small, friendly island. With 28 stunning boutique suites, a beautiful garden and beach and excellent cuisine under the management of Gary Rhodes, this is the place to stay on Grenada.

Have a look at our hotels in St George’s page for more options.

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The Grand Hotel and Spa, York
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It was in York that Rowntree’s developed iconic sweets like Kit Kat, Smarties and Aero, where Terry’s created classics like Terry’s Chocolate and All Gold. Even the founder of Cadbury, John, originally started work as an apprentice here. Needless to say, the city has a rich chocolate-making history, and a stay at The Grand Hotel and Spa is perfect for exploring this fascinating past. The hotel, which was originally built in 1906 as a “Palace of Business” for the North Eastern Railway Company, still has a period grandeur about it. The only five-star hotel in the city, you’ll find large, luxurious rooms and suites together with some excellent dining options, including The Rise, a three AA rosette restaurant. Be sure to check out the York Chocolate Story and the York Cocoa House – both offer a range of immersive activities for visitors, while The Shambles, a series of medieval

Have a look at our hotels in York page for more options.

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The Pand Hotel, Bruges
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Any chocoholic should definitely spend time in Belgium, and for my money, Bruges is the place to go. One of Europe’s most charming medieval towns, you’ll find artisan chocolatiers throughout the city, particularly on Katelijnestraat. Bruges has more than 50 chocolatiers and its own chocolate museum. A place to walk or take a canal boat, the charming and centrally located The Pand Hotel puts you within easy reach of the best of Bruges chocolate. While it doesn’t have a restaurant, it does serve some of the best hot chocolate in town in the evening – and offers all guests a champagne breakfast with aga cooked eggs and chocolate croissants.

Have a look at our hotels in Bruges page for more options.”