SAINT LUCIA (October 1, 2013) -- This October, Saint Lucia will once again celebrate Chocolate Heritage Month recognizing the role cacao and its beloved byproduct chocolate has played in its history. With a number of on-island experiences, the month-long festivities will delve into Saint Lucia’s cacao roots, offering travelers unbeatable island-wide hotel and resort promotions for plenty of chocolaty fun.
Visitors can indulge in the island’s rich heritage through specialized plantation tours, available at a variety of locations including the Marquis Estate, Anse Mamin Plantation, Emerald Estate, Morne Coubaril Estate and La Dauphine Estate. The Chocolate Decadence Tour by Island Routes Tours takes guests on a luxury catamaran from Castries port to the Rabot Estate for an all-day tour that includes chocolate making from scratch, and a chocolate infused gourmet meal followed by a leisurely afternoon at the Sulphur Springs’ mud bath.
Travelers can dine on cocoa-inspired dishes dreamed up by leading island chefs and partake in exclusive chocolate spa treatments. Island visitors can follow Saint Lucia’s Chocolate Heritage Trail map at https://www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaTouristBoard, which highlights the island’s sweet spots, including history, key sites and special offers.
“Travelers are in for a sweet surprise when they visit Saint Lucia during Chocolate Heritage Month,” says Tracey Warner-Arnold, deputy director of tourism. “Saint Lucia’s cacao culture begins with the plantation tours where visitors can actually harvest the beans and follow the process through to experience our creative cuisine, infused spa treatments and even delicious local traditions like cocoa tea.”
For more information about Saint Lucia, please visit http://stlucianow.com, call 1-800-4STLUCIA or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SaintLuciaTouristBoard.
Chocolate Heritage Month promotions offered by island hotels and resorts this fall include:
Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Inn – Rodney Bay
“Sweet Savings!”
• 35 percent off rates in all room categories
• Receive a $100 resort credit for use during stay. Resort credit can be applied toward food, drinks and spa services only.
• Offer is non-transferrable, cannot be redeemed for cash. Limited to one per booking
• Travel from October 1 through October 31 2013
• For more information, visit http://www.baygardensresorts.com
The BodyHoliday – Cap Estate
“Chocolate Heritage”
• Rates begin at $397 for Standard Garden View
• Enjoy special chocolate themed menus, take an education class on health & wellbeing chocolate menus and alter the Aloe Vera wrap to a Chocolate wrap
• Book by September 30, 2013
• For more information, visit http://www.thebodyholiday.com/
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière
“Cooking with Chef Experience”
• Workshop takes place every Monday in October from 10am to 12pm
• Prepare a main course and dessert from the famous Boucan menu and learn to incorporate the resort’s roasted cocoa beans as a subtle spice
• Price is $50 for hotel residents and $75 non-residents
• To book, email reservations@hotelchocolat.com; Booking Code: CWC
• For more information, visit http://www.hotelchocolat.com/us/boucan
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière
“Chocolate and Rum Pairing”
• Event takes place every Wednesday in October from 3pm to 4:30pm
• Using different blends of Caribbean rums from other islands to best suit Boucan’s chocolate range, enjoy the subtle flavor with aged rums and island made Saint Lucian chocolate
• Priced at $50 for hotel residents and $75 non-residents
• To book, email reservations@hotelchocolat.com; Booking Code: C&R
• For more information, visit http://www.hotelchocolat.com/us/boucan
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière
Cocktail making
• Class takes place every Friday in October from 3pm to 4:30pm
• Learn how to make Boucan’s classic signature Cacao Bellini Cocktail with pulp from the cocoa beans or try some more classic mixes that visitors can recreate back home to remind them of the Boucan experience
• Priced at $50 for hotel residents and $75 non-residents
• To book, email reservations@hotelchocolat.com; Booking Code: CM
• For more information, visit http://www.hotelchocolat.com/us/boucan
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière
“Tree to Bar”
• Tour takes place every Monday through Friday in October from 9am – 12pm
• Unique to the Rabot Estate, and drawing on their expertise as a chocolatier and as a grower, this is an exclusive opportunity for visitors to discover chocolate like never before
• Start with a walk through the estate’s cocoa groves, selecting ripe cocoa pods to cut from the tree and end with a personal chocolate bar and truffles
• The tour includes all stages from seedling nursery, fermenting room and sun-drying station to grinding, mixing and tasting
• Priced at $55 for hotel residents and $80 for non-residents
• To book, email reservations@hotelchocolat.com; Booking Code: T2B
• For more information, visit http://www.hotelchocolat.com/us/boucan
Calabash Cove – Marisule
“Sweet Days in Paradise”
• Book five nights all-inclusive in a Sunset Oceanview Junior Suite including all taxes and service charges
• Bottle of welcome champagne
• One chocolate scrub and one manicure per couple
• All meals and beverages, premium drinks, over 20 wines from the wine list, an in room bar, and room service
• Round trip private luxury car airport transfers
• For more information, visit http://www.calabashcove.com/
Coconut Bay Resort and Spa – Vieux Fort
“Sweet, Suite Indulgence”
• Book seven nights in Coconut Bay Resort and Spa’s all-inclusive Harmony Junior Suite and received two nights free with rates starting at $1,735 per couple
• 50 minute champagne and chocolate spa treatment for two; includes bottle of champagne, chocolate and sugar body scrub and moisturizing wrap
• Champagne & chocolate room service includes bottle of champagne and chocolate molds delivered to guest room one night during stay
• Invitation to couple's only pool-side dinner featuring specialty chocolate dessert
• For more information, visit http://cbayresort.com/
Crystals – Soufrière
"Chocolate Delight"
• Enjoy 28 percent off rates for seven nights in a one to three bedroom air-conditioned cottage with a private pool, kitchen, and views of the Pitons and ocean
• Includes chocolate scrub half body massage for two, complimentary "chocolate special cocktails" three nights a week, the traditional Saint Lucian cocoa drink on mornings with breakfast daily, complimentary gift of homemade cocoa soap and complimentary tour of Soufriere
• Book seven nights in a one bedroom cottage for $1,600
• Book seven nights in a two bedroom cottage for $1,800
• Book seven nights in a three bedroom villa for $3,500
• Travel from now through December 15, 2013
• For more information, visit http://www.stluciacrystals.com/
Fond Doux Holiday Plantation – Soufrière
“Traditional Chocolate Immersion”
• Book four night accommodation in a one bedroom cottage
• “Choctail” welcome upon arrival
• Welcome Choc Bag
• Free historical tour of the cocoa bean
• “Cocoa- rina” dance lessons
• Chocolate history gift book
• Couples chocolate swoon massage
• Includes daily breakfast including chocolate pancake
• For more information, visit http://fonddouxestate.com/
Fond Doux Holiday Plantation – Soufrière
“Available Spa Treatments”
• Chocolate Bean Polish: ground cocoa beans added as polish to skin to add a delightful glow
• Chocolate Fond Doux Wrap: an organic chocolate wrap applied to the body, creating a hydrating cocoon while receiving a deeply relaxing head or foot massage. After a soothing hot rain shower to remove the wrap, the treatment ends with a skin moisturizing and hydrating treatment with an organic moisturizer, leaving skin soft, supple and completely hydrated.
• For more information, visit http://fonddouxestate.com/
Fond Doux Holiday Plantation – Soufrière
• Natural historical tour of the origins of cacao with an organic lunch prepared by local chef ending with a chocolate fondue dessert. Offers a brief history of the plantation, how it evolved and where it is today. Guests are then led to the Cocoa Fermentation House to see the beginning of the chocolate making process fermentation, drying and roasting process. Guests are even invited partake in the “cocoa- rina” dance and polishing the cocoa beans
• For more information, visit http://fonddouxestate.com/
Jade Mountain – Soufrière
“Annual Chocolate Festival – October 11 to 15, 2013”
• Four days of tastings, interactive cooking workshops, masterful menus and the occasional Chocolate-tini
• “Chocolate in Bed” breakfast on Sunday morning with Chocolate Croissants with Banana and Vanilla jam
• Jade Signature Chocolate Spa Treatment made from local Soufriere cocoa beans
• Chocolate-themed lunch on Anse Mamin Beach accompanied by “adult” chocolate milk shakes
• Dark Chocolate Fondue, made from this year’s vintage Jade Mountain Estate-Grown Chocolate Five-course “Chocolate-inspired” dinners, created by Jade’s inventive chefs, Allen Susser and Jonathan Dearden, every course infused with Emerald Estate chocolate
• Chef Susser’s Chocolate Truffle Workshop where guests learn, prepare, and take their masterpieces home
• Rates begin at $995 for two people in a Sky Jacuzzi suite
• Rates are subject to 18 percent tax and service charge
• For more information, visit http://www.jademountain.com/events.html
Habitat Terrace Hotel – Bonne Terre
“Chocolate Heaven”
• Priced at $300, receive 30 percent savings based on three night accommodation
• Includes a chocolate treat upon arrival, one romantic dinner with a decadent chocolate dessert, and one chocolate themed breakfast with hot local hot chocolate tea
• Travel from October 1 to October 30
• For more information, visit http://www.habitatterrace.com/
Habitat Terrace Hotel – Bonne Terre
“Chocoholic Night”
• Room rates priced at $75 per night, 25 percent saving on standard room rate
• Includes chocolate treat upon arrival
• Travel from October 1 through October 30, 2013
• For more information, visit http://www.habitatterrace.com/
Harmony Suites – Rodney Bay
“Harmony Chocolate Heaven”
• Book one luxury suite for a week through http://stlucianow.com/ during Chocolate Heritage Month and receive a complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolates in suite upon arrival
• Receive a complimentary “His and Hers” hot chocolate aphrodisiac dessert with any two course dinner at the Edge or Fire Grill Restaurant during Chocolate Heritage Month
• Rates are priced at $980 for the week
• For more information, visit http://www.harmonysuites.com/
La Haut – Soufrière
“Chocolate Escape in Paradise”
• Book seven nights accommodation in a Premium Vista Room for 25 percent off
• Rates start at $1,704 based on double occupancy
• Includes full breakfast, chocolate treat and complimentary chocolate cocktail upon arrival, one romantic candle light dinner, two half hour Swedish massages in the privacy of the guests rooms, roundtrip airport transfers, tax and service charge
• Travel from October 1 through 31, 2013
• For more information, visit http://www.lahaut.com/
Villa C'est la Vie – Trouya Pointe
• Book seven night stay and pay for only six nights
• Receive a special chocolate arrival cocktail
• Enjoy chocolate dinner for two under the stars
• For more information, visit http://www.villacestlavie.com/
Windjammer Landing – Labrelotte Bay
“Guilty Pleasure”
• Book four night package in a premium ocean view suite starting at $1,899 or enjoy a spacious one bedroom villa starting at $2,099
• Receive a chocolate turndown treat
• Aromatic chocolate wrap spa treatment
• Mid-day cocoa break featuring chocolate goodies, local teas, cocktails, and more
• Full-day cacao plantation tour to include lunch featuring local cacao recipes
• Feast on Chef Mumm’s exclusive chocolate menu items
• For October only a limited edition: Jammer’s Cacao Kiss cocktail will also be available
• For more information, visit http://www.windjammer-landing.com/
About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The "Helen of the West Indies," Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a tropical rainforest and one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Saint Lucia's wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. Saint Lucia also is home to world class cruise and yachting facilities. The island is continually recognized as one of the Leading Wedding and Honeymoon destinations worldwide.
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