Wouldn't it be just grand if Hotel Chocolat was indeed a Chocolate Hotel. That would be scrumptious! Sadly for me and the other chocolate freaks out there it isn't, but what it is, well, it's a luxury chocolate establishment that not only tantalises your tastebuds, but gives your eyes and nose a sensory treat too.
With Valentine's Day approaching, Hotel Chocolat provides a welcome shake up to all the run of the mill chocolate gifts unadventurous other halves will be scrambling for on Saturday afternoon when mad panic ensues.
There's plenty to impress with, the large hearts are works of art just for the eyes. The pink and fruity one is super girly, and will go down a treat with girlfriends for all those hapless boyfs out there. Even it's just to appreciate the craftsmanship that's gone into those square feet of chocolate wonders. The fruit and nut version of this large heart looks like a piece of sculpture. It is magnificent, at £28 it's worth it just this once.
The store is nicely open plan, so it's perfect to spot your target and have a general nosey at what else is in the offing. From the small trinket treats to the large hampers, there's a splash of decadence for everyone's budget. The sheer effort gone into the show pieces is extraordinary, and worth paying, to make someone smile. I'm already bracing myself for the Easter Eggs, as they are natural, colourful, and make a good solid Easter gift for a kidlet or special half.
Aside from gifts and trinkets there's a good selection of chocolate boxes, cooking chocolate, bagged chocolate treats, Smudge (I shalln't explain as it's worth going in, buying, tasting and finding out for yourself), drinking chocolate, chocolate slabs, and probably many other chocolate things I've failed to mention. There's also a nice and adventurous combination of flavours here, different to the normal chocolate box selections, and that's part of what makes the price so acceptable. read more