Hotel Chocolat, St. Lucia

One could easily mistake the area of Soufrière for an island in the South Seas: the lush landscape is made even more spectacular by the two conical Piton mountains rising up where the jungle meets the sea. Already the site of St. Lucia’s top resorts, Soufrière has just welcomed one of the sweetest hotels in the Caribbean. The 14 villas at Hotel Chocolat are set on a 140-acre cacao plantation that aims to make cocoa production a sustainable industry. Guests learn to make their own chocolate bars under the expert guidance of chef Jon Bentham. The theme continues at the resort’s Boucan restaurant, with dishes such as cacao-marinated red snapper accompanied by, what else? A chocolate daiquiri. Soufrière; 800/757-7132; thehotelchocolat.com; doubles from $550.

T+L Tip: Once you’ve had your chocolate fix, swing by Martha’s Table for such island specialties as curry chicken, lamb stew, shrimp Creole, and jerk pork, served on the terrace of chef Martha’s house. Malgretoute; 758/459-7270; dinner for two $50.