Chocolate Hotel Rooms bring out the Stars

	by Heather Holman on Sunday, May 29, 2011
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Chocolate and luxury hotels, two of my favorite things. Who dreamed you could combine them together? Who? Apparently chocolatiers, fashion designers, executive chefs, models, even actors knew you could combine these two decadent luxuries and end up with a whole lot of fun!

Villa San Martino and the Zulu Safari Lodge

At long last, in 2011 the international ice cream sensation, Magnum has arrived in the United States. Magnum Ice Cream, the brand synonymous with indulgent pleasure is made with thick Belgian chocolate and if you haven't had the opportunity to try this fantastic treat, you are missing out!! Double Caramel is my favorite!

No one knows star power better then Magnum. Using such celebrity endorsements as Josh Holloway, Eva Longoria, Benicio del Toro, Caroline Correa and most recently Rachel Bilson as spokesmodels for their delish ice-cream. Magnum also knows how to combine hotels and chocolate. During a facebook promotion Magnum launched the "Pleasure Hunt Across the Internet" game (shown below) in which you control a model through various sites on the internet. The model runs through various luxury sites on the internet stopping for a dip in the Villa San Martino Pool and running through the Zulu Safari Lodge, where I Dreamed of Africa was filmed starring Kim Basinger and Daniel Craig.

La Réserve Hotel

Magnum ice cream's newest melding of chocolate and hotels brings 10.5 tons of chocolate to life with the delicious vision of one of fashion's biggest names. Magnum has collaborated with creative legend and style icon, Karl Lagerfeld, to unveil the Magnum Chocolate Suite during an exclusive event in the heart of Paris at the La Réserve Hotel.

Karl Lagerfeld who recently directed style-setting starlet Rachel Bilson in a series of short films for Magnum ice cream in the United States, turned his unmistakable flair to the creation of the breathtaking chocolate suite, to showcase once again the sheer indulgence and luxury of Magnum.

Brought to life by master chocolatier and chocolate sculptor, Patrick Roger, The Magnum Chocolate Suite has been carefully crafted out of 10.5 tons of mouth-watering chocolate and even includes a striking chocolate sculpture of Lagerfeld's muse, french male model Baptise Giabiconi draped seductively on the chocolate bed.

Speaking about the hotel suite, Karl said, "It has been an absolute pleasure to design The Magnum Chocolate Suite. My idea was to flirt with a mix of modern and traditional French influences to create something remarkable."

The Magnum Chocolate Suite has been created to celebrate the launch of Magnum Ecuador and Ghana, the first Magnum ice creams to be made with specially selected cocoa beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in Ecuador and Ghana; and to mark the start of "For Pleasure Seekers", a global campaign encouraging people to enjoy more pleasure everyday.

Hotel Missoni Kuwait

The recently opened Hotel Missoni Kuwait was designed by Italian fashion house Missoni's head designer Rosita Missoni. Designed for people who share a passion for fashion, Rosita took her inspiration from the dazzling hues of the Arabian Gulf, the golden sands and the year round sunshine. Rosita was sure to include the Choco Café, a luxury chocolate bar. With a grand terrace overlooking the sea, the Choco Café serves the Middle East with great coffee and the world's finest indulgent chocolate.

The Choco Café's décor and china match Missoni's distinctive striking colors and use of pattern.

The grand opening was attended by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait and the His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who I'm sure sampled the chocolate goods!

Bryant Park Hotel

Speaking of chocolate, as part of a Valentine's Day Promotion Godiva Chocolatier created the exclusive Godiva Decadence Suite in New York City at the Bryant Park Hotel. The suite was the prize of a sweepstakes in which the winners could stay the weekend in the lavish all chocolate suite. In addition, the winners also indulged in several chocolate-themed activities, including a private chocolate tasting led by Godiva Executive Chef Chocolatier Thierry Muret, a chocolate spa experience, and a private gourmet meal and wine pairing created by one of New York's finest chefs especially for the couple in the suite. In addition, upon their return home, the winners received a year's supply of Godiva chocolate. The suite was deconstructed upon their departure but was truly a sight too see. To promote the sweepstakes, Godiva hired Actress Ali Larter from such movies as Final Destination, Resident Evil and Varsity Blues but is perhaps best known as her role as multiple personality Niki Sanders on the hit TV show Heroes.

The Godiva Decadence Suite (shown above) featured:

• Every wall of the Godiva Decadence Suite was made of chocolate.
• Two renowned pieces of art - Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" and a Jackson Pollock-inspired abstract - were reinterpreted in chocolate by Godiva, exclusively for the suite.
• A luxe daybed decorated with Godiva chocolate was the ideal place to indulge in a dark chocolate truffle straight from the pages of a literary masterpiece, many of which could be found in the suite's chocolate bookcases.
• Additional chocolate décor highlights within the living room included a coffee table filled with chocolate designed to mirror Godiva's iconic Gold Box, fashionable chocolate "Pucci" armchairs and a chocolate fireplace.
• The dining room, illuminated by a chocolate and amber crystal chandelier and several dark chocolate candelabras, boasted a chocolate mosaic table and chairs and a buffet toppling with an abundance of Godiva pieces, setting the mood for an incredible dessert weekend.

Godiva ran the promotion the following year using designer Jonathan Adler to design the suite and actress Brooke Shields to promote it.

Bellagio Resort

It's only fitting a world-class Five Diamond resort such as the Bellagio, would have its own World Pastry Champion. The artistic genius of Chef Jean-Philippe Maury is displayed daily at the first truly European-style pastry shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. Where you can browse an incredible selection of sweet and savory items including chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes and more.

With the opulence and reverent air of a lavish jewelry salon, Jean Philippe Patisserie Shop features the largest chocolate fountain in the world. This one-of-a-kind, 27-foot chocolate fountain circulates nearly two tons of dark, milk and white melted chocolate. The glass enclosed fountain matches the glass sculpture theme seen throughout the Bellagio. The floor to ceiling chocolate fountain has been certified by the Guiness World Records™ as the largest in the world.

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel

And finally we end with the world's first and currently only chocolate themed hotel, The Chocolate Boutique Hotel. An entire hotel themed with chocolate in mind located in Dorset, England. The decor is chocolate, the aroma is chocolate, the food is chocolate. Everything is chocolate! You can even order a mini chocolate fountain complete with a chocolate of your choice and various dips to be in your room on arrival. Or head to the Chocolate Bar, where you can treat yourselves to glorious handmade chocolate cocktails and learn how to match chocolate with wine and spirits in a unique chocolate tasting session inspired by the famous Belgian chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud, who has created and produced a range of chocolates designed to be eaten and tasted with wines such as Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as mulled wines, dessert wines and malt whisky.

There is also a chance to learn all about the history of chocolate and how to make your own chocolates! Experienced chocolatiers will guide you through the art of making delicious Belgian truffles by hand, using raw chocolate ingredients. You will cut, roll, dip and decorate your creations as well as learning how to temper chocolate, before packaging your hand made truffles, ready to take home. There is even a course on how to make chocolates shoes! Shoes and chocolate?! Is there anything you can't do with chocolate? Apparently not.