The first hotel endeavor of the luxury chocolate firm Hotel Chocolat, a 140-acre cocoa plantation surrounded by verdant greenery seemed a fitting location. Part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 14 cottages—with pitched wooden roofs, four-poster beds, rainforest showers, and slatted shutters—are nestled among the cocoa groves, and the hotel’s central concept is one of responsible luxury. Rainwater harvesting, solar power, and natural air conditioning are just a few features of the resort’s commitment to ecological tourism. The larger lodges have secluded verandas with stunning views of the twin volcanoes, and the black-quartz infinity pool hangs elegantly over a sea of rainforest. The chefs in the panoramic restaurant use cocoa to complement seafood, leafy greens, and estate-grown fruits and herbs, while the spa harnesses cocoa’s antioxidant power in its treatments.
