1,000 feet above the glittering Caribbean sea, on the paradise island of Saint Lucia, lies cocoa plantation and boutique hideaway.
Whether you're a couple looking for quiet seclusion, honeymooners wanting a little privacy, a single traveller or a group of friends in need of an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you’ll find peace and quiet in this stretch of paradise.
The terrain, atmosphere and activities will not suit every age. That’s why are welcome adult guests (over 18) exclusively because hotel's team wants you to enjoy 250-year-old Rabot estate to the utmost.
Unwind in Cocoa Juvenate Spa, sink into the infinity pool and watch the sun slide behind the Piton mountains. A peaceful retreat, perfected.
HISTORY
Co-founder Angus Thirlwell tells of Boucan’s beginnings:
"The story of how we became cocoa growers and then went on to build a hotel on our cocoa estate is all about fate and serendipity. If I had not grown up in the West Indies, and if I had not been sent an old book by a customer as a complete act of kindness, none of this would have happened.
One of our customers, Michele Clare, was clearing out her husband’s office due to his retirement when, under a dusty pile of books, she came across one that was just too nice to throw away – a 1920 copy of Cocoa & Chocolate: Their History from Plantation to Consumer.
As a member of our Tasting Club she knew it would be of interest to me and very kindly sent it to me in a Jiffy bag with a short note.
By chance I was just setting off to visit my father, who still lives in the West Indies, and tucked the old book in with my luggage. It turned out to be all about life on cocoa plantations in the West Indies in the early 1900s and was beautifully written. It stirred in me a desire to jump into this world.
And so the idea was born to grow our own cocoa, and we found the ideal old estate in Saint Lucia with fantastic views of the famous Piton Mountains.
Co-founder Peter Harris and I raced over and, in the face of strong competition, within a week of finding it we signed contracts to buy Rabot Estate, which had been in the same family since the 1930s. Everything was finalised and Rabot Estate became ours in April 2006.
It was a bold move, growing our own cocoa, and one that went against the overall trend in the chocolate industry at the time – which was to specialise more and more in one particular part of the chocolate-making process.
Rabot Estate was beautiful but dishevelled and reflected the impoverished state in general of cocoa in Saint Lucia. It was going to be a big job to turn all this around, but also a great adventure!
We found our own ‘Cocoa Indiana Jones’, Phil Buckley, to lead the project and, after a few years, the adventure had reached a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ moment.
The estate was back in shape, we had created an Engaged Ethics programme that now includes more than 170 other cocoa growers on the island, and medals were in the trophy cabinet after we made the first ever single-origin chocolate with Saint Lucian beans (previously all the cocoa from the island was blended with other types).
One evening, while sipping rum on the verandah of the old estate house, Peter, Phil and I mused about how special the estate felt and how much we wanted our customers to be able to experience it. The rum kept flowing and by the early hours we had a business plan sketched out to build a boutique hotel on the estate in the middle of the cocoa groves.
In the morning the plan still looked good so we decided to do it. Boucan by Hotel Chocolat opened in January 2012 and we are very proud of it – connecting as it does the agricultural and hedonistic sides of cocoa."
Created to sit perfectly in the stunning natural beauty of rainforest surroundings, accommodation at Boucan is a unique blend of Saint Lucian charm and sleek contemporary style.
All rooms are positioned to catch the cooling breeze and are furnished with premium luxury and comfort in mind – and the views are to die for.
Eight Luxe Lodges have dramatic views of both Pitons and the Caribbean Sea beyond from their private verandahs.
Luxe Lodges are located in an elevated position.
All six Lodges have views of the Petit Piton and feature stunning rainforest showers that are not to be missed.
Lodges are situated around a relaxing garden courtyard.
CACAO CUISINE
Healthy menu draws on the rare cacao, which grows here; fresh, tangy cacao pulp – it surrounds the beans in the pod and can be found in cocktails, sorbets and ice creams; roasted cacao nibs – they play a key role as a spice, an infuser of toasty/nutty flavour; award-winning dark Saint Lucian chocolate – harmoniously balancing dressings, dips and, of course, desserts!
LOCAL SOURCING
Saint Lucia is a natural paradise for market gardening so vegetables and salads are from local growers. There is also own herb garden, located next to cacao seedling nursery, and grow plentiful fruit on the estate. Long-term relationships with local fishermen give them dependable, regular orders of the best catches.
Exclusive cacao cuisine and spectacular setting have made Boucan restaurant one of Saint Lucia’s most popular foodie destinations.
As a guest at the hotel you’ll be in prime position to enjoy it all, whether you’re sipping a fresh Cacao Bellini at sundown in the stylish bar, or delving into pioneering cacao cuisine menu.
Inspired by the rare cocoa growing on Rabot Estate, exclusive menu uses cocoa sometimes as a light and subtle spice, sometimes as a delicate infusion, but always in a natural, healthy and exciting harmony.
After all, cocoa has been used as a savoury ingredient for over 3,000 years and as a sweet ingredient for only 500.
Hotel's team explores the sweet and savoury nature of cocoa, together with the superb local produce found on Saint Lucia – from the huge array of fresh fish and seafood to delicate salad leaves, vegetables and the plentiful fruit grown on the estate.
The restaurant is open to residents and non-residents.
07.00h - 10.00h
12.00h - 15.00h
18.00h - 21.30h
10.00h - 23.00h
Club Boucan is 2,500 sq ft reserved exclusively for hotel guests to relax and unwind – complete with a 50 ft black quartz infinity pool and stunning views of the Piton Mountains directly in front.
Reclining sun loungers line the pool and there’s plenty of shade available too. A dedicated club steward is on hand to serve drinks, nibbles and lunch direct to your lounger.
Packed with antioxidants and vital minerals, the cacao bean has a myriad of uses, and here, in spa, is making the most of them – from head to toe! The team makes unique lotions and potions on the estate in fresh, small batches.
Resident massage therapist carries out treatments in one of the Cocoa Juvenate treatment rooms, which have spectacular views of the Pitons and are perfectly positioned to catch the cooling and soothing tropical breezes.
Give your skin an all-over fresh glow and prepare it for the sun-kissed look.
Light exfoliation using finely ground estate-grown cocoa beans on a virgin coconut oil base. Then a clay, cacao and fresh banana paste is smothered over your body. And finaly light, hydrating massage with silky whipped cacao mousse.
Anti-ageing facial uses the full power of cacao to leave your skin tauter and glowing with vitality.
Just select which of cacao-oil lotions is the right one for you – pure cacao, cacao-peppermint, cacao-rose, or cacao-nutmeg/cinnamon.
Exclusive range of wellness therapies.
A 50 ft black quartz infinity pool with stunning views of the Piton Mountains.
RABOT ESTATE
The setting of the Rabot Estate cocoa plantation is jaw-droppingly beautiful. In front of you the twin Piton peaks emerge symmetrically from the Caribbean Sea. Behind you the rainforest stretches into the distance, studded with the gigantic peaks of Mount Gimie and plunging valleys. Right behind you is the Soufrière volcano and Sulphur Springs.
The 140-acre Rabot Estate is in the South West of St Lucia, near Soufrière – the original French capital. The estate is divided up into 16 different cortès or areas of terroir, with evocative names steeped in history, such as L’Hermitage, Ti Jardin, Marcial, Mathilde and Rameau.
The rich and fertile volcanic soil, high altitude (c.1000ft above sea level) and rainforest water all create a unique environment (terroir), perfectly suited to cocoa production, in which cocoa trees flourish.
ACTIVITIES
From spa pampering and relaxing at the guests-only Club Boucan, to the unique Tree-to-Bar experience, self-guided strolls through the cocoa groves and exciting sea adventures – there's a whole array of experiences waiting for you. You can be as active or as laid back as you wish during your stay – it's entirely up to you.
Explore the hidden beauty of Saint Lucia’s coast with regular trips on hotel boats. After just a short shuttle drive to the dock in Soufrière, you’ll jump aboard Boucanier 1 or Boucanier 2 and recline on comfy cushions as you cruise out of the harbour.
Trips to beautiful hideaway beaches, to Pigeon Island and Marigot Bay, sightseeing tours around the Pitons, sunset cruises, and dolphin- and whale-spotting trips.
Sit back and relax as your captain sails some of the most impressive mountain seascapes in the world.
This is a leisurely cruise of the west coast. Snorkel, swim and explore the dramatic coral reef walls that begin only a few feet from shore. There is an abundance of marine life and you may even see leatherback turtles.
Enjoy a breathtaking hike to the summit of Gros Piton. When you make it to the top, which is 2,619 feet above sea level, you have climbed one of Saint Lucia’s iconic landmarks.
A shady trail with beautiful picture-taking opportunities of the lake at the end. Great for an early-morning stroll before breakfast or early evening before dinner.
Welcome to cocoa groves, shaded by nature on a grand scale. The estate, Rabot, first established in 1745, is now an ethical model for sustainable cocoa farming and a boutique hotel hideaway. Since 2006, cocoa is once again flourishing on the island of Saint Lucia.
Hotel Chocolat's team prouds to be the world’s first chocolatier and cocoa grower to present a single côte chocolate; The Rabot Estate Marcial 70% dark.
Visit the world’s only drive-in volcano and sulphur springs en route to the picturesque waterfall at the Diamond Falls & Botanical Gardens.
This is an exclusive opportunity for you to discover cocoa like never before. The experience starts with a walk through the estate’s cocoa groves, selecting ripe cocoa pods to harvest from the tree and ends with making your own chocolate bar.
The dramatic mountain views, stunning rainforest and restful cocoa groves surrounding Boucan make it the perfect choice for a stylish wedding like no other and give your big day an original and truly romantic backdrop.
Off the Pitons there is a huge diversity of marine life. Aboard Boucanier II with skilled crew, you will seek out pods of Bottle-Nose, Fraser, Common Dolphins as well as Pilot Whales, Flying Fish and more.
BOUCAN BY HOTEL CHOCOLAT
Rabot EstatePO BOX 312SoufriereSaint Lucia