It pains me to give Hotel Chocolat only three stars, as I would so love it to be five. Back in the days when Hotel Chocolat came by mail order only, and then via the website, their chocolates were truly exceptional. The tasting club was a complete treat and the Christmas chocolates sublime.
Sadly, the new ranges are something of a disappointment to me. I really don't like the chocolate slabs, despite trying different flavours in the hope I'll find my dream treat. I'm not keen on the big chocolate boxes. Some of the little chocolate collections are delicious, particularly the marzipan and nuts. The other half loves the caramel chocolate buttons and I still reckon the rum soaked sultanas are the closest things to chocolate perfection I can imagine. But overall, the range of chocolate is nowhere as fantastic as it used to be, perhaps because the other chocolatiers are catching up.
The shop itself is dark and seductive, and there are often chocolates to try. The staff are friendly and helpful, and there is really nothing to dislike about the place. The cost is still expensive, but the relative cost of different items is sometimes inexplicable and does not seem to be related to the ingredients.
I just wish they were as much ahead of the game now as they were five years ago. read more