To give Hotel Chocolate as a present

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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.

I love it! We went to the plantation in Saint Lucia. I get an annual update on the tree I planted.

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 😁

i know loads of people who love HC, but I actively hate it as I can’t taste anything! If I’m having the calories then I’d like the enjoyment. But tastes like cardboard to me.

I like it and often buy it for my children and family - had no idea some people were snobby about it!

I expect it’s just because it’s very well known and people dislike anything well known.

This is the perfect description as a comparator.

I’m not fussed on chocolate personally (from the age of 6/7, I used to get a book for Easter from my DPs instead of a chocolate egg) but I’ve been gifted HC stuff as a Christmas gift from a work colleague in the past and certainly didn’t ever think it was a cheap/crap present.

This. I have a friend who buys me HC for Christmas. It's a kind thing to do, and I'm appreciative. I like it fine, although I agree the taste is different from what it used to be. They must have changed something.

It's a very individual thing. I love chocolate, but I loath Hotel Chocolate as it's far too rich for my uncultured palette. One of my clients buys me a box most years, and has done for the thick end of 20 years. I only ever remember eating some of it once, and it is immediately regifted.

It's not snobbery for me, if anything it's the opposite, and it grieves me to think how much Cadburys chocolate I could have had for the price of the latest Hotel Chocolate that comes my way.

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

If you haven't had it already, get somebody to buy you the HC extra thick vegan Easter egg next year ☺️👍

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.

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.

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

I'll swap.

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

though I do prefer Ferrero Roche

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!!

They are horrible - give me anything else.

Mmmm, mince pie hot chocolate and champagne truffles!

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.

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

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!

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?

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.

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.

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!

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 :-)