Rosas & Xocolate: A Rose-Colored Diamond

Nine years have flown by since the day the magnificently restored rose-colored antique mansion on Paseo de Montejo opened its doors as Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel. Every detail of the hotel invites the visitor to be swept away by its soothing colors, soft music, and exquisite aromas that emanate from its award-winning restaurant. The spa has been recognized as one of the top 50 spas in México, and recently the hotel received the highest “Diamond” rating in a new federal tourism award program. We caught up with hotel proprietor Carol Kolozs to ask him how he made his dream come true.

“In fact, when I bought these two beautiful abandoned buildings, I didn’t even know I would open a hotel,” he explained. “But the beauty of Paseo de Montejo inspired me, and I knew I wanted to bring its past splendor back to life.” He feels that the project has fulfilled that goal, and has played an important part in motivating other businesses to set their eyes on iconic Paseo de Montejo in the historic center of Mérida.

When asked if he is proud of the awards the hotel, its spa, and its gastronomy have received, he responded, “We are extremely excited, of course, but our energies are focused on surpassing the expectations of our clients. And achieving that goal is my biggest source of pride.”

We asked Carol what was the inspiration for the name of the hotel. “I always knew I wanted to honor my mother, Rose, in this way, and the importance of cacao in the Maya culture seemed like the perfect combination.”

Always thinking of ways to captivate those who come to the restaurant for a special occasion, or simply to have an excellent dining experience, Carol recently installed a state-of-the-art smoking oven which provides Chef David Segovia with a new way to express his creativity, offering signature cuisine that is a fusion of local and exotic ingredients. Combined with Rosas & Xocolate’s own award-winning red wine, it’s no wonder this emblematic hotel and its restaurant continue to surpass expectations.