“This is a human business that requires certain dynamics and attention to detail..” Carol Kolozs
Carol Kolozs has lived life to the fullest, venturing across foreign lands as a soldier, shoemaker, and entrepreneur. Born to a Romanian mother and Czech father in Mexico City in 1946, Kolozs has always been a free spirit. In 1989, he established the Italian athletic brand Lotto, and in 1995 he received the Mexican Industrialist of the Year Award. His rich experiences have painted the canvas that has become Rosas & Xocolate, a timeless portrait of all that Carol Kolozs has learned and loved along the way.
THC: What inspires you and why?
Carol: This is a human business that requires certain dynamics and attention to detail in order to fulfill the expectations of our guests. I am inspired by this opportunity. I derive pleasure in making the experience at Rosas & Xocolate one that will remain as an impression for a long time to come.
THC: How did you get into your business?
Carol: Rosas & Xocolate is made up of two mansions built at the turn of the last century in the most emblematic avenue of Merida Yucatan. Originally I purchased the two mansions that were abandoned for more than 30 years for the sole purpose of rescuing and restoring them, as I was impassioned by this idea. Shortly after the purchase, the idea of a luxury boutique hotel occurred to me. I was very fortunate to be able to put together a team of very talented professionals that resulted in what it is today.
THC: What are you working on right now?
Carol: Rosas & Xocolate is now considered a brand and as such my interest is in expansion. We are currently examining certain possibilities to accomplish this with our first opportunity in the beach front resort of Tulum.
THC: How do you see your space evolving?
Carol: Though we are constantly looking and working towards the betterment of our product, which includes complementary services such as tours, most of our efforts are concentrated in maintaining our spaces in optimum conditions to ensure that the experience is always the same for every one of our guests. However our restaurant, recognized for its excellent cuisine offers wonderful opportunities for creative and evolutionary recipes.
THC: Who’s your hero or icon?
Carol: This is a really difficult question for me to answer for many come to mind. For the purpose of this answer I would have to leave it “still looking”…
THC: Where’s your favourite spot around the world?
Carol: Highlands North Carolina, for many years I travelled to this beautiful and magnificent spot in the western part of North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains, typically in October when the leaves change creating a symphony of colors. My wife and I with our child and other couples would rent a large cottage in the mountains and would spend a delicious two weeks sharing beautiful encounters while the males bonded as we rode our motorcycles cross country, deep into the mountains.
THC: What’s your favourite injection of culture into a brand?
Carol: Our brand is made up on one hand wishing to honor my mother’s name which was “Rose” and “Xocolate” which comes from its origin.. the Aztec language “Nahuatl” spelled “Xocolatl” this part of our name has its roots in the Mayan culture as they were the first to utilise “Cacao” which was offered to their kings and gods as a bitter drink and the “Cacao” nuggets as a trading currency. This rich history provides a deep entity based on traditions and rituals. Today we have taken this wonderful combination to its most luxurious interpretation creating an ambience of elegance and romance, which permeates our entire lifestyle from our chocolate boutique, to our chocolate treatments in our Spa to our wonderful desserts in our restaurant.
rosasandxocolate.com
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