{"id":1866,"date":"2020-06-26T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-06-26T13:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.vacayou.com\/?p=1866"},"modified":"2024-11-18T19:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T00:08:57","slug":"well-qa-rocco-bova-chable-yucatan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/well-qa-rocco-bova-chable-yucatan\/","title":{"rendered":"Well Q&A: How Rocco Bova and Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n Are Redefining Wellness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to WELL Q+A. As the former CMO and COO of Spafinder, I\u2019ve had the great fortune to visit hundreds of wellness resorts and destination spas throughout the world. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness travel is my passion<\/em>. In this column, you\u2019ll meet some special people I\u2019ve come across in the \u201cwellness world” <\/em>\u2014 both in travel and the lifestyle. From resort owners and General Managers to treatment practitioners, entrepreneurs who create products and people who deliver services, I aim to get a snapshot of what\u2019s on their minds.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my first Q&A, you will meet Rocco Bova, GM of Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beachfront Luxury at Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In March 2017, I landed at the M\u0117rida International Airport for a three-day business trip (which was really too pleasurable to be called business). I was visiting the newly opened property, Chabl\u0117 Yucat\u00e1n<\/a> in Chochol\u00e1. As I walked out of the baggage area, I was greeted by a very friendly Italian man with a huge smile on his face who turned out to be Rocco Bova. This was his first week as the new GM. I had the privilege of experiencing Chabl\u0117 Yucat\u00e1n by his side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From my swim in the crystal clear cenote to our tequila and chocolate tasting (Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n has one of the world\u2019s largest collections of tequila), from my cooking class with Dona Maria and her daughter (amazing tortillas!) to a four-hand massage (incredible!), from the Maya Garden (so moving to see the rituals performed) to an amazing indoor cycling class \u2014 I was entranced by how Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n is \u201credefining wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three years later, Chabl\u0117 Yucat\u00e1n is thriving under Rocco\u2019s leadership and I hope you\u2019ll have the chance to experience it one day. Until then, enjoy this Q&A with Rocco. And if you visit, please make sure to say \u201chola\u201d to him for me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q&A with Rocco Bova<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sallie: Let’s start by learning some background. Rocco, can you tell us a little about yourself?<\/strong>

Rocco:<\/strong> I am of Italian origin and have been in love with working since the age of 13 (yes this was when I had my first job in a bar). Since then, my curiosity and thirst for knowledge have taken me to work and live in 11 different countries<\/em>. I’ve also managed some of the best properties in the world. I consider myself blessed and one who believes in Karma.\u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>

What motivates you to do what you do?\u00a0 What is your \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/strong>

R:\u00a0I do what I do because of the opportunities one has when working in hospitality. You meet the most incredible people and I’m able to do what I love (travel) for work. My job also allows me to share my passion for wellness with others through nature, traditions, community, architecture and culinary experiences.<\/em> We are trying to redefine wellness.<\/em> How many people can say they are so lucky?<\/em><\/p> <\/div>

Tell us three things most people don\u2019t know about your property.<\/strong>

R:\u00a0Let’s see.. How do I limit it to just three? <\/em>Sustainability and nature: Our head gardener and his team are a group of humble people upkeeping the resort\u2019s most valuable asset nature.They are the most amazing people and what they do day<\/em>–in<\/em>–and<\/em>–day<\/em>–out to protect and preserve natural resources and reduce our environmental impact at Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n is truly impressive.<\/em>We host an endangered species: We worked with a government agency to transfer over 50 species of cacti to our property. All these cacti are indigenous of the peninsula of Yucat\u00e1n. If we hadn\u2019t done this, they would be lost. So now, our gardeners are taking care of them and hopefully will continue to farm and reproduce them so as not to lose them forever.<\/em>A secret cenote: We have a second cenote (natural sinkhole) which is difficult and also a little dangerous to access.<\/em> W<\/em>e have plans to find a way for our guests to enjoy this mystical and sacred place.<\/em><\/p> <\/div>

What \u201cwellness products\u201d do you personally use (food, skincare, fitness equipment, etc)?\u00a0<\/strong>

R:\u00a0At home, I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who is also a nutritionist (among many other things). We eat fresh food every day. We also believe nutrition is at the base of wellness. I exercise daily by using weights, jumping rope, and enjoying the trampoline. We, personally, do not take any medicine. Instead, we cure ourselves with essential oils and natural remedies. Finally, I make sure I work in an environment that includes nature<\/em>. For me, this is the best source of energy.<\/em><\/p> <\/div>

Who has had a deep, lasting influence on your life?\u00a0<\/strong>

R:\u00a0A young girl, while at university some 30 years back told me, \u2018\u2019better to repent than to regret.\u201d\u00a0This\u00a0phrase is still stuck in my head and is a philosophy I try to live by every day.\u00a0<\/em><\/p> <\/div>

Tell us one thing that very few people know about you.<\/strong>

R: I met two of my angels. Two that showed me the way. I wish that for you, too.<\/em><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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About Rocco Bova<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Rocco-Bova-GM-of-Chable-Yucatan\"<\/figure>
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Rocco Bova, an Italian-born hotelier, is a passionate, energetic and enthusiastic professional, with experience from classic hotels to cutting-edge design, from business city properties to resorts operations and from golf resorts to destination wellness with over 25 years of experience. Currently, Rocco is the GM of Chabl\u00e9 Yucat\u00e1n, a multi-award-winning luxury wellness resort set in the Yucatan jungle of Mexico.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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