Move over Willie Wonka... there's a new chocolatier in town! (Hotel Chocolat)

Member Name: mrsbump1

Product:	Hotel Chocolat
Date:	23/01/09 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gorgeous chocolate, lovely shops and good website.

Disadvantages: A little pricey but well worth it for a special treat.

Many years ago my husband and I came across an advert in the back of a sunday supplement for a company called the Chocolate Tasting Club. It promised a new collection of chocolates created by some of the leading chocolatiers in the world each month. My husband and I were convinced to give them a try and have never looked back. In recent years a sister company "Hotel Chocolat" has come along and in addition to a great website they have started opening shops in the high street.

Now a warning; these chocolates are a little on the expensive side, but I think they blow all the opposition out of the water. For a bit less you could go to Thorntons or even buy a generic box of choccies from the supermarket but personally though those collections are nice enough they are the sort of chocolates that you munch on without really thinking about it. Compared to Hotel Chocolat's collections they pale into insignificance and are just a little bland... Hotel Chocolat's chocolates are there to be savoured.

There are a great many favourites that you can expect to find in their shops all the time (such as the various slabs, chocolate enrobed fruit, caramel buttons and champagne truffles to name but a few) but Hotel Chocolat creates new collections to match the seasons (light tangy berry flavours in the summer with pretty festively finished chocolates come christmas). In addition to all of the more conventional chocolate collections, they have come up with their own brand chocolate spread (called "Smudge") which is divine, they have a collection of different hot chocolates (their "Aztec Chilli" is only for the brave hearted among us!) and a variety of cocoa influenced oils,vinegar and pasta (perfect if you wanted to make up a novel food hamper for a confirmed chocoholic). Indeed if you don't want to go to the hassle of making up your own hamper, Hotel Chocolat has a range of their own ready made.

One of my favourites are the caramel chocolate buttons (the caramel chocolate is out of this world and not something that many, if any other confectionists produce... and if they do, certainly not to this standard.) Hotel Chocolat also excel at Easter time with beautiful, decadent, thick chocolate eggs; the Easter catalogue came through my door the other day and I have already earmarked the egg I hope the Easter Bunny will deliver.

All of Hotel Chocolat's products are packaged beautifully and look very smart and luxurious. This said they do have a range of their more popular chocolates minimally packaged if your intention is to decant them onto a nice platter for a dinner party etc and these are obviously a little cheaper.

I have also heard that some of the larger Hotel Chocolat stores have little cafes inside and that they sell a "Chocolate Sandwich". I am somewhat dubious of this but am sufficiently intrigued that at some point it will have to be experienced.

The cost of the chocolate unfortunatley means that Hotel Chocolat's wares are only bought for a special treat (especially in the current financial climate) but their products make for wonderful presents and in my experience the recipients have absolutely loved them.

There isn't a shop nearby to me so I have to make do with popping in when we are on our travels but it is always worth a look and if you are a member of their Chocolate Tasting Club you also qualify for a members discount.

For packaging, product quality and the kerb appeal of their shops I would award 5/5 everytime (infact probably 6/5 or more if I'm honest) but I have knocked a point off because the cost of their chocolates... but then again the old adage is true, you get what you pay for.

Summary: Chocoholic HEAVEN!!