Hotel Snapshot
Courtesy of The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
This fall's opening slate reads like a scavenger hunt across five continents: a former royal palace in Riyadh finally getting a firm date, a Silver Lake church that spent a decade half-finished before Casetta got its hands on it, a stilted safari camp going up in one of the last untouched corners of the Okavango Delta. Ten hotels made our cut this year, spanning six countries with almost nothing else in common: different budgets, different design languages, different reasons to book. Here are the ten worth planning a trip around before the year is out.
Design & Character
Courtesy of The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
The hotel's lodges and dining area blend unobtrusively into the rainforest surroundings. They are made of dark wood on the outside, and the wood is painted white, creating a clean, bright feel. Art and decor are minimal, but tasteful. The dining room has similar wood construction to the lodges, with a high ceiling and views of Petit Piton. Just below the dining area, an outdoor bar and a sleek infinity pool reflect the mountain and the sky above.
The Rooms
Courtesy of The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
The 25 rooms are either lodges (450 square feet each) facing the garden courtyard or luxe lodges (750 square feet) with verandas and views of Petit Piton. As mentioned above, the rooms are open-air (i.e., no A/C), but fans, ceiling fans, and the hotel's elevation (1,000 feet) help keep them cool. Bug zappers and mosquito netting are around the beds to keep them at bay, too.
The Food & Drink
Courtesy of The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
The Rabot Restaurant and Cacao Bar is open to guests and the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chocolate plays into almost every item across the menu, either as a spice or the main event: Think cacao nib sweet potato hash for breakfast, watermelon and ricotta salad with honey and cacao vinegar for lunch, or 12-hour “bois bande” (a Caribbean spice blend) chicken with white chocolate mashed potatoes for dinner. A full bar is available, as are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Ask for a table on the west side of the restaurant for unobstructed sunset views.
The Amenities
Courtesy of The Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat
For those seeking relaxation, try the spa, which offers cacao-infused body wraps, facials, and massages. Foodies will love the rum-and-chocolate pairing (guests only) and the bean-to-bar or tree-to-bar class (open to the public), where you leave with your own chocolate. Active folks can enjoy a short hike through a cacao grove (guests only). You can book tours outside the hotel with the concierge, but I ended up researching and booking guides I found on TripAdvisor.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
The Rabot Hotel sits above Soufriere and across from the Ladera Resort. I recommend booking a meal (or at least a sunset cocktail) there. Also reserve the Treetop Restaurant on a hillside north of Soufriere for live music, sunset views, and Indo-Caribbean fusion food, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian tasting menus.
For sightseeing, we hiked Gros Piton (guide recommended) and Petit Piton (experienced hikers and climbers only), and visited the hot springs at Sulfur Springs. Do some research to avoid peak times when cruise guests on excursions flood the attraction. If you’re on the fence, skip the Toraille waterfall; it’s crowded, and you have to pay to view it.
Walk around Soufriere to get a sense of the town, then grab a seaside bite at Island Chef, which offers pescatarian and vegan options (nearby Alor Cafe is also great for vegans). If you’re a beachgoer, Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet are the two top local picks. And if you're a dog lover, don't miss a visit to the HelPaws shelter (outside Soufriere’s town center) or its puppy cafe (on Anse Mamin Beach, a 10-minute walk from Anse Chastanet Beach—contact rescue for hours).
Fast Facts
Location: Soufriere, Saint Lucia
Neighborhood: 3 miles uphill from downtown Soufriere
Rating: Five-star.
Starting Rate: $420 for a standard lodge
Room Count: 25 rooms
Vibe: Adults-only retreat with Caribbean class and sophistication
Best For: Couples. This is an adults-only hotel. Children are welcome in the restaurant as guests, however.
Amenities: On-site restaurant with breakfast included, airport shuttle, spa, hiking trails, rum and chocolate tasting, bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar chocolate-making class.
Nearby: Town of Soufriere, Ladera Resort, Sugar Beach, Anse Chastanet Beach
Our Favorite Thing: Don’t miss the tree-to-bar or bean-to-bar class and come away with your own chocolate bar!
Nearest Airport: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), about a 45-minute drive without traffic.