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AIBU?

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Original poster

To give Hotel Chocolate as a present

235 replies

Connected1 · 28/11/2025 20:41

Earlier there was a thread about a work raffle where people donated prizes. The OP mentioned Hotel Chocolate as being one of those "junk presents" that people would donate.

I'm feeling a bit sheepish as I would have bought it online to send as presents to friends in UK (I don't live there myself).

What do people think?
IABU - It's got a bit of a crap reputation
IANBU - It's a premium brand that you'd be glad to get as a present.

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 28/11/2025 22:11

I love Hotel Chocolat BUT

https://christmas-brochure.aldi.co.uk/christmas-2025/page/58-59
Specially Selected Chocolate Selection
(item c on the link above)
£6.49

These are VERY good.

I had a box of these last year as well as a box of Hotel Chocolat.

They compare favourably at £6.49 compared to £17.95 for a similar sized box.

Aldi Christmas Brochure 2025 - Page 58-59

If you love Christmas, you'll love Aldi. We've curated an indulgent Christmas range, all at the amazing Aldi value you know and trust.

https://christmas-brochure.aldi.co.uk/christmas-2025/page/58-59

Iwantamarshmallowman · 28/11/2025 22:11

I've brought hotel chocolate at a gift and they loved it.

Woahtherehoney · 28/11/2025 22:10

I’d be thrilled with hotel chocolat as a present, I love their chocolate!

worcesterpear · 28/11/2025 22:10

Yes as far as chocolate goes, for the majority of the country HC is a good brand. You sometimes have to take what MN says with a pinch of salt as there are some big spenders/snobbish attitudes but also people with their own agendas. So for chocolate, you might suddenly get a thread with two or three posters raving about a particular brand that no one else has ever heard of.

Solost92 · 28/11/2025 22:10

I thought they were quite posh but my favourite posh chocolate is guilian seashells.
I don't yhink there's any chocolate I'd turn my nose up at being gifted.

Crunchienuts · 28/11/2025 22:09

Would be perfectly happy to receive it as a present 💝

ErrolTheDragon · 28/11/2025 22:07

Fountofwisdom · 28/11/2025 22:00

I would regard HC as a premium brand, as do most people, apart from MN snobs. They do a lot of interesting flavours and the Velvetisers and hot chocolates are good. I do think everything is over-priced though.

Personally, I prefer Cadburys chocolate to any premium brand, as that’s what I was brought up on. But most people would regard HC products as a big treat.

But Cadbury’s today isn’t the same as what we were brought up on.

Happyjoe · 28/11/2025 22:07

HRTQueen · 28/11/2025 21:42

I would be very pleased to be given a box of Hotel Chocolate

though I do prefer Ferrero Roche

Furyy rochets, yes! Sorry, that's what our household calls em. They're my fav Xmas treat, there's something nice about nibbling the nutty shell off first 😀

Braveheart35 · 28/11/2025 22:06

EchoedSilence · 28/11/2025 21:03

Some people on MN like to make out they only eat one square of good quality chocolate a night. While in reality they are probably eating Mars bars every night.

🤣

CoralPombear · 28/11/2025 22:04

All and any chocolate is welcome here!

Happyjoe · 28/11/2025 22:03

Connected1 · 28/11/2025 21:20

Unfortunately a lot of chocolate has really declined in quality recently.

I can't believe even the mice wouldn't eat it though! Fussy wee rodents 😁

Show quote history

Even more than it had done before? Wow, what a shame as their slabs used to be yummy and a real treat.
And yeah, I know over the mice, I was a little amused about it though :-)

ReadingTime · 28/11/2025 22:03

It was great when it was first launched, and has been getting less and less great ever since. I still like it and buy it sometimes, but don't love it. Their standard advent calendars contain ridiculously tiny chocolates now, and I bought them again for this year, having forgotten how disappointing they were last year.

Still loads better than Thorntons though!

Fountofwisdom · 28/11/2025 22:00

I would regard HC as a premium brand, as do most people, apart from MN snobs. They do a lot of interesting flavours and the Velvetisers and hot chocolates are good. I do think everything is over-priced though.

Personally, I prefer Cadburys chocolate to any premium brand, as that’s what I was brought up on. But most people would regard HC products as a big treat.

Gingercar · 28/11/2025 21:58

I’ve never really liked Hotel Chocolat but I’d appreciate it as a present, knowing someone spent good money on it for me, and would easily find someone who would eat it. I’ve always preferred cheap Cadburys or a box of milk tray to high end chocolate.

Fountofwisdom · 28/11/2025 21:56

Thechaseison71 · 28/11/2025 20:59

Why would people be snobby about it ( never eaten it myself)

My DD has ashed for the hot chocolate sachets they do. She says she loves them but can't justify buying them herself ( £23 for 10 ,) was a bit disappointed that they didn't come in a nice box though just in plain box with Amazon label on

Show quote history

Are you in the UK? Order from HC’s website, not through Amazon. A box of 10 hot chocolate sachets costs about £15 direct and will come in the correct branded box. Sounds strange that Amazon should send them in a plain box, were they even the genuine product?

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/11/2025 21:53

I didn't vote in your poll because HC is neither crap nor premium, but I do like it, and would always be glad to have it as a gift.

I've dallied with many a premium brand over the years but have concluded they just aren't that great to my obviously undiscerning palate!

Mamma1355 · 28/11/2025 21:52

Londonrach1 · 28/11/2025 21:32

Sorry not a fan. It's almost as bad as the inedible tony chocolate.

Show quote history

Gosh I love HC and recently discovered Tony’s which I enjoyed even more! What does that say about my taste?! 😂

Boutonnière · 28/11/2025 21:49

I’ve just bought various HC products as something to unwrap on the day for adult family members who are otherwise getting annual memberships or gift cards. The vegan range is very useful for the dairy intolerant. Had no idea it was looked down upon. My husband is a single estate 90% from obscure places type and he is happy to get their darkest. Plus one daughter loves her Velvetiser and has requested packs of the powder as her present.

TeamGeriatric · 28/11/2025 21:47

Mmmm, mince pie hot chocolate and champagne truffles!

Spacesthatsing · 28/11/2025 21:45

They are horrible - give me anything else.

Adelle79360 · 28/11/2025 21:44

I also think it’s a nice gift. I’d be thrilled if somebody sent me a box of their chocolates! We’ve had fancier chocolates at Christmas before but the reality is they’ve been disappointing. Hotel chocolat is affordable but not cheap. Disappointingly they don’t do the alcoholic drinks they used to though, they were always good stocking fillers for my OH!!

HRTQueen · 28/11/2025 21:42

I would be very pleased to be given a box of Hotel Chocolate

though I do prefer Ferrero Roche

Gottabeehonest · 28/11/2025 21:40

Moonlightfrog · 28/11/2025 21:37

I wish someone would gift me hotel chocolate. Only on MN would hotel chocolate be a rubbish gift. The only chocolate I get gifted (from family) is a £2 selection box or a tub of celebrations, I would much rather have hotel chocolate.

I'll swap.

chipshopElvis · 28/11/2025 21:38

We all love it OP, ai give it as a gift and would be happy to receive it!

PrincessScarlett · 28/11/2025 21:37

Agree that the quality has decreased drastically. I first ate HC 15 years ago when my boss bought me some and it was absolutely divine. Got given some last Christmas and I was so excited but I found it very bland and disappointing.