A new bean-to-bar chocolate factory and boutique built on-site at JW Marriott Khao Lak turns Phang Nga’s indigenous cacao into a pod-to-praline guest journey, developed in partnership with Duc de Praslin and unveiled at this year’s JW Marriott Summer Garden Party
Singapore (17 August, 2026) – JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa has opened Duc de Praslin Chocolaterie Boutique & Atelier, Southern Thailand’s first on-site bean-to-bar chocolate factory and boutique, dedicated to the journey of locally grown Phang Nga cacao, from pod to praline, right at the resort.
Cacao is indigenous to the inland hills of Phang Nga, one of Thailand’s most promising cacao-growing regions, and the new on-site factory and boutique were developed in partnership with Duc de Praslin, a Thai chocolatier founded and helmed by Belgian chocolate-makers. The concept debuted at last week’s JW Marriott Summer Garden Party, themed “Rooted in Chocolate”, a JW Marriott tradition celebrating the JW Garden philosophy through seasonal cuisine and mindful dining.
“This resort has always been built on a simple idea, that luxury means very little if it isn’t rooted in something real, in this land, in this community, in the people who make this place what it is,” said Abhimanyu Singh, Area General Manager, Southern Thailand and General Manager, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. “Rooted in Chocolate is exactly that idea, brought to life.”
The new on-site factory, boutique and atelier invites guests to explore the craftsmanship behind every bar through year-round workshops, tastings and chocolate-themed menus designed for families and chocolate lovers alike, spotlighting the Phang Nga farmers who make it possible.
Developed with Duc de Praslin, a Thai chocolatier founded and helmed by Belgian chocolate-makers, the concept pairs
generations of Belgian chocolate-making expertise with cacao grown in the inland hills of Phang Nga, one of Thailand’s
most promising cacao-growing regions. At least 85% of the cacao used at the resort’s on-site Duc de Praslin bean-to-bar
factory is sourced from Phang Nga through standing monthly orders with local farmer cooperatives at fixed prices, with 1.6
tons of locally sourced cacao purchased to date. Plans are underway to grow that volume and extend sourcing to other Thai regions.
The resort’s whole-ingredient approach extends into the kitchen, with cacao husks, nibs and pulp put to use rather than
discarded, while garden trimmings are composted.
“It’s a core shared objective to source our cacao as close as possible to our place of production, and to sell it to consumers in that same area,” said Jean-Louis Graindorge, owner of Duc de Praslin Chocolaterie. “This way, we generate business within the local community and minimise transportation, making the process as sustainable as possible. Working directly with Phang Nga’s farming cooperatives on standing monthly orders at fixed prices gives farmers a stable, predictable income they can plan around. This project was designed to help their livelihoods grow, so that as demand for our chocolate grows, so does the benefit to the community that grows the cacao.”
At the atelier, signature experiences include interactive Pod to Bar workshops, where guests trace the origins of Thai cacao
through taste, touch and aroma before crafting and personalising their own chocolate bars to take home. Looking ahead, the boutique will expand its calendar with family-friendly chocolate-making classes, tastings and seasonal chocolate-themed menus across the resort’s restaurants, alongside cacao tree plantings and harvest activities in the resort’s 27-acre JW Garden, where herbs, edible flowers and fruits are cultivated alongside newly planted cacao trees to inspire the culinary offerings across the resort. Beyond the boutique, the JW Garden anchors a wider calendar of guest experiences, from guided garden walks and herb-picking sessions to farm-to-table dining and seasonal harvest activities, reflecting the resort’s belief that memorable dining begins with a meaningful connection to nature.
The boutique’s debut was marked at the resort’s Summer Garden Party on 6 August, which brought cacao-infused welcome
cocktails, personalised Cacao Passports guiding guests through tasting stations, a Pod to Bar workshop and the official
ribbon-cutting for the new boutique, followed by a JW Garden tour where guests planted cacao trees. The evening closed
with a shared-table chocolate-inspired dinner – bread and butter, a family-style three-dish entrée, a three-dish main with a
shared side, and dessert – set with lit butter candles and menus printed on plantable seed paper inspired by Alice Marriott’s
love of flowers, paired with Thai rum and handcrafted chocolates.
“I had no idea cacao was grown in Phang Nga. I discovered it almost by accident, riding around the province on a rented
motorbike. Being Belgian, the connection with chocolate came naturally,” said Mathieu Sneyers, Director of Marketing
Communications, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa. “And now we are opening a Chocolate Boutique & Atelier here at
the resort, in collaboration with Duc de Praslin and with Phang Nga cacao at the heart of it all.”
For more information, please visit JW Marriott Khao Lak.
For high-resolution images, please click here.
About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. JW Marriott is a tribute to the founder of Marriott International, J. Willard “J.W.” Marriott, who prioritized his own wellbeing so that he could take better care of others. Inspired by his approach to life and rooted in holistic well-being, JW Marriott properties offer a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 125 JW Marriott hotels in 40 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
About JW Garden
Inspired by our founders – J. Willard Marriott and Alice Marriott’s love for the outdoors, JW Marriott believes that a connection to the natural environment is a necessary part of nourishing one’s soul. From sourcing fresh ingredients to guiding explorations of the landscape, we strive to honor the natural environment, and to bring the outside into each hotel. JW Garden is a signature element of the JW Marriott experience focused on creating sensory connections with the natural world. This rooted approach to enlivening one’s spirit enables our guests to appreciate our practices and feel rejuvenated by all that we harvest. There are elements of the JW Garden that connect to all three of the brand pillars: Be Mindful & Present, Be Nourished, and Be Together.
About Duc de Praslin
Duc de Praslin is Thailand’s original Belgian chocolaterie, founded in Bangkok in 1993 by Paul Graindorge and his son, Jean-Louis Graindorge. Both apprenticed under the founder of the original Duc de Praslin Belgium and earned the honor of carrying its name and legacy forward worldwide. They brought that legacy to Thailand with a vision to share the artistry and craftsmanship of Belgian chocolate.
Today, Duc de Praslin offers a refined selection of pralines, truffles, single-origin chocolates, macarons, pastries, and beverages, welcoming guests at its flagship boutique in the RSU Building, Sukhumvit Soi 31, and its newly opened boutique at JW Marriott Khao Lak.
Duc de Praslin products are handcrafted in Thailand, combining traditional Belgian techniques with the finest Thai-grown ingredients, including coffee, macadamia, and tropical fruit, in addition to Thai cacao. Guided by its commitment to sustainability, Duc de Praslin partners directly with local farming communities, ensuring exceptional quality while directly supporting the farmers behind every harvest.
For more information, visit ducdepraslin.co.th.
