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 really like it too.

I would say it’s just about acceptable - but bordering on shit now. Like any premium chocolate - over the years it becomes commodified

I'd consider it a waste of money. The cost of something doesn't always indicate the quality.

It’s mediocre chocolate at premium prices so doesn’t get my vote.

It’s not my favourite but I wouldn’t be insulted by it.

It is the niche that Thornton's used to have, right?
The standard high street "gift" chocolate - so a perfectly acceptable gift because that is the entire purpose of the chain, but you could find fancier chocolates if you wanted to stand out (but then you are probably getting into handmade ones which are OTT for most "also we need to bring something in case Aunty Glenda is there" gifting).

its delicious!!! Would love it

I would be happy to receive Hotel Chocolat. There chocolate doesn’t contain palm oil (although added biscuits and other added ingredients may contain it). It’s getting harder and harder to find chocolate with no palm oil in it.

I bought it as an 80th birthday present for a relative earlier this year.

I've always been a bit basic though.

Yes they're actually lovely, I've tried them.

But at the same time Aldi chocs wouldn't have much cachet as a gift, if you know what I mean. In the sense that you wouldn't arrange to have them delivered to someone's door.

Edit: that was a reply to @RedToothBrush and the post about Aldi chocs.

about as good as dairymilk, but smaller portions and a much higher price. I love chocolate, and happily consume both supermarket and high end brands , but I would never buy hotel chocolate as the quality and price point just don’t match for me.

i would happily receive it as a gift, but the brand is better at packaging and presentation than it is bout product.

I’m not a fan of it , and don’t know many who like it

I think if you are not sure what people like, it is a good choice.

The reason I say that is, as other pp have said, it sits on a mid rung. The thing with chocolate is it isn't like holidays or houses in that most people would prefer the most expensive: some people actively prefer the taste of "supermarket" brands like Cadburys, and plenty of people actually would really not enjoy the other end of the market.

Hotel Chocolat I would say is possibly disappointing but still edible for those on either end of the spectrum. Cadbury's would be insulting for some, and others wouldn't be able to spit out a mouthful of 81% To'ak fast enough.

I think it didn;t help its image when it began to be stocked in supermarkets: you can buy it on Ocado.

I don’t think it’s ‘junk’ but I took the OP to mean think it’s just one of those generic gifts that isn’t always thoughtful as such.

I'm always happy to get hc. Interestingly I once donated some to a raffle and it outshone the other prizes.

I think if you are not sure what people like, it is a good choice.

Take from a recipient, it really isn't. It does not have that all-round appeal which some people who gift it seem to think it has. What it is, is a very easy choice that indicates money was spent, but as to whether much thought went into it is up for debate.

I used to love it but treated myself to some last year and it tasted awful 😫

I had no idea it was considered naff, not read that anywhere. I'm sure it will be fine to give to people. Don't worry about it.

Apart from a few of their offerings that aren't my cup of tea, I like HC. I like Godiva slightly more but I'm always happy to receive HC, especially filled / flavoured ones and sachets for my velvetiser. I think there may be a slight decline in flavour but I still find them nice to eat. My dad loved their marzipan chocolates, too. He had a select group of brands of marzipan chocolate he enjoyed and HC was one of them.

I also bought two small (and not cheap) HC boxes today as gifts for relatives and I'm pretty sure they'll be happy to receive them. I only have one friend, I think, that outright doesn't like their chocolate. I therefore don't buy it for her.

Love the packaging, can't stand the taste. It's mutton dressed as lamb imo.

I think HC is fine for a gift, I would be happy with it, and I’ve bought it for others too. It’s not my preferred brand, and sometimes the flavours aren’t quite right e.g. spices like cinnamon can be raw and overpowering, but I’d be grateful, I’d recognise the thought/effort, and, importantly, I’d scoff the lot. What else is there that’s mid range and accessible nowadays - Thorntons shops have pretty much gone from the high street, and quality not so good since it was bought by Ferrero. Cadbury’s quality gets worse every year. Lindor can be a bit cloying. I like Guylian pralines, but not everyone can eat nuts. I don’t think Tony’s do selection boxes, do they? For a box of chocs bought in person, it’s your local independent chocolatier, supermarket brands, or HC. Having said that, when I have time I usually get my friends and family chocolates online from Amelie Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat is lovely, the thread you're referring to is for greedy, ungrateful and snobby weirdos ignore them lol

This 😁
I love Hotel Chocolat. I'd definitely be pleased receiving some as a present!
MN is like some kind of weird parallel universe, I'd take no notice of random internet chocolate hating weirdos 😁

I don't think it's worth the money since mars took it over, I used to really like it but it's all samey, but too sweet and waxy now. Their hot chocolate is still good