Estruscan Chocohotel

We have been wandering generally northward from Rome, stopping in the ancient city of Todi, then taking the bus to Perugia.

Because we are traveling with our crazy Italian friend, we typically arrive at our destinations without any hotel reservations. Needless to say, this drives me absolutely batty. We’ve made out pretty well, though — our hotel in Todi was cheap (about $100 per night), had a great restaurant and comfortable rooms.

In Perugia, we ended up in the Etruscan Chocohotel. Since Perugia is apparently famous for chocolate, some hotelier decided that a Chocohotel would be a big winner. The hotel, dedicated in equal parts to Etruscan and chocolate kitsch, has to be seen to be believed.

When you check in, you are handed your key along with a bar of hazelnut chocolate. The walls are stenciled with chocolate color paint. In some places the patterns are Estruscan, in others, they look like dripping chocolate. Sometimes the artist got really inspired and combined the two motifs — ancient patterns melting slowly across the wall.

Half of the lobby is given over to a gigantic chocolate shop. Which sells, in addition to a dizzying array of chocolate, chocolate soap, chocolate liqour and chocolate cookbooks.

I can’t easily post photos right now, but the hotel’s web site gives a decent impression of the experience. I’ll update with pictures when I can.

Posted by pmk at December 15, 2004 11:41 PM | TrackBack