Yup - been there and think it odd too. Nice chocs - better than standard 'high st’ fare. Less 'wow’ than expected though.
by shopaholic
Hotel Chocolat
Kensington, London
- Address:
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163 Kensington High Street, London W8 6SU
Tube:
- Kensington High Street Station (0.1 km)
- High Street Kensington Tube Station (0.2 km)
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12 reviews of Hotel Chocolat in English
does chocolate get any better than hotel chocolat???? I dont think so! top quality chocolate
Top quality chocolate!
Quite pricey but worth every penny, especially for those who care for dark chocolate (which is absolutely amazing!)
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Ah, Hotel Chocolat. Yes, it's a mass-market chocolate shop, and yes it's a bit more expensive than Thorntons - but it's so much nicer. The chocolate is very tasty, and they have a really fun and interesting range of truffles and pralines. But where Hotel Chocolat really shines is in its occasion ranges. Around Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Halloween...there are always fun and interesting things to try out.
It doesn't hurt that there's often a chance to taste the chocolate when you visit - which definitely helps convince you to part with your money. And this particular branch is even more attractive thanks to the cafe serving chocolate drinks and treats.
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33 reviews
I always go here when in London. An upmarket chocolate shop with friendly staff and a cafe. It sells unusual varieties like a chocolate and strawberry bar and sweet lemon chocolates. Some of it's overpriced but take advantage of their offers, if you buy a few bars/small boxes you get a discount.
This is one of their larger branches.
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This is an upmarket version of Thornton’s Chocolates nothing special, just over priced mass manufactured chocolate. You won’t find chocolatiers working here or anyone with any advanced knowledge on chocolate making and processes. There are some interesting flavours, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy from this shop.
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The chocolate at the store is not amazing, it’s definitely over rated. The chocolate is overpriced for what you buy. The gift ideas here are nice and the presentation of chocolate is pretty good. But i would recommend chocolate from Thornton’s or Harrods, the chocolate here is much better, with a better taste and aroma. All in all not the best chocolate for what our paying.
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This chocolate shop has a lovely cafe inside which serves the most wonderful chocolate creations.
I feel that although mass market, Hotel Chocolat is a good starting place for those who only know Cadbury chocolate. It doesn’t taste too odd nor does it take a fine pallatte to appreciate it.
It doesn’t “snap” enough for me but for others, it is close enough to wht they are comfortable with in order for them to appreciate it. It has a bit of a cardboard texture at times in certain blendings and yet I do enjoy it when I’m looking for comfort food.
I have not yet sampled their whole range and they do constsntly innovate.
If you are looking for posh chocolates to give but are unsure of the experience of the recipient, then go for this chocolate.
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A slightly odd name for a shop, but then I’m also not sure what market it is aiming at: some of the gifts look quite nice, so I guess it’s a good place to buy something for a difficult-to-buy-for friend that has everything, but loves chocolate.
The interior is fairly minimalist, so as not to detract from the choclate on show, but as others say, it still feels like an upmarket chain rather than one of a kind - more the result of some swish marketing thinking. (They were awarded 'Cool Brand’ status by Retail Week in 2007). I’d love to do a tasting side by side with the products of the Chocolate Society shop in Belgravia.
The products themselves are certainly priced at the well heeled gift market, with bars from £6.50, boxes from around £18 and hampers - yes, that’s a hamper of different chocolates - for around £50. There’s a Christmas Hamper for £125 and the grand-daddy of them all is the Room Service Hamper, including wine and champagne, which comes in at an eye-watering £500.
There were some very happy looking customers there, but as a bloke I felt a little out of place - every other person in the shop was female. Maybe I just haven’t got the chocolate gene? (Ironically, the founders are two men…)
Still, it’s a good place to bear in mind for gifts when I’m short of ideas.
Comment 1 comment on this review
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Sanjit Chudha, 29 October 2008:
Loved the shop but not the best chocolate I have every tasted. Some great gift ideas though
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Yum yum. I have never tasted any better chocolate. There is a wide range to suit anyones taste, I have to say my favourtie is the caramel buttons and the ranges of eggs that they do at easter. The chocolate is almost too good to eat. They do luxurious hot choclate drinks as well. I can't stay away. Once you've had some you will never look back...highly addictive!
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A chocolate lover's paradise. From 'chocolate dipping adventure kits' to slabs of thick chocolate with sensuous names such as 'summer citrus soul food', this shop and its contents will entice you in and keep you browsing its' shelves, tongue hanging out, for hours. Literally..and it tastes as good as it sounds. To me, a more exclusive Thorntons, with a wider variety and more unusual items.
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I am not quite sure why I am not entirely convinced by this chain of quality chocolatiers; the products look and taste good, the stores are inviting and the staff helpful.
But somehow it does not feel like the real thing - more of an upmarket Thornton's...
Still it's better chocolate than most of the stuff you can buy on the high street. But just looks like it's trying too hard for me.
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