Fact or Fiction? From Chocolate-Scented Wall Paint to Caribbean Cacao Hotels

April Fool’s Day may be over, but how good are you at spotting the truth when it comes to Hotel Chocolat? Some of the things we’ve heard about ourselves are pure cocoa-fuelled fantasy, while others are surprisingly real.

Do we really hand out chocolate for free? Have we secretly launched a matchmaking service? And what’s the deal with our so-called “Chocmobile”? Let’s find out.

1. We Now Sell Chocolate-Scented Wall Paint

This is… fiction. 

Yep. As many of you have already guessed, sadly, we have no plans to enter the painting and decorating market any time soon. Although the scent of our Pantone-inspired “Mousse Au Chocolat” wall paint would no doubt be wonderfully intoxicating, we’re not quite sure you’d actually want it all over your home. And judging by some of the comments on our social media channels, you’re not so sure, either.

If there’s anyone out there who was seriously considering this cacao-based concoction for their living room walls, we’re deeply sorry. Although, now you mention it, a Velvetiser in the corner of the room would certainly produce a similar aroma… 

“L’essence de Salted Caramel”, anyone?

2. We Hand Out Chocolate for Free

This is… fact.

Believe it or not, this one’s true. And while we can’t give away all of our blissful bars and treats for free, we love to surprise you with special giveaways and complimentary goodies from time to time. 

From birthday freebies for VIP.ME members to in-store complimentary chocolate tasting events, we’re always looking for ways to share the joy of quality cacao. Want to get involved? Follow our Hotel Chocolat Instagram page and make sure you’re signed up for our exclusive member emails to be the first to access these sweet surprises.

3. We Once Built a Rainforest Made Entirely Out of Chocolate

This is… fiction.

We’d love to say this was true, but alas, this was yet another genius April Fool’s prank from our marketing team. Back in 2024, we shared the news that we’d created the ultimate chocolate rainforest, complete with cacao trees, chocolate relaxation pods, and rivers of molten chocolate. The idea was so wildly indulgent that it *almost* had chocolate lovers from across the globe booking flights and packing their bags, all in search of the ultimate cocoa jungle. 

Of course, if they’d actually arrived at our “rainforest”, they would have been greeted by a very different scene: our Cambridgeshire chocolate factory, where the only thing loosely resembling a rainforest would have been the trees dotted around outside. 

If the lack of rainforest isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s actually well worth a visit. On-site, we have a hidden gem: our Hotel Chocolat outlet, stocked with some our best-loved chocolate boxes, bars, and Selectors at discounted prices — all part of our mission to reduce waste and share more of what you love.

4. We Have a Real Hotel That Guests Can Stay In

This is… fact.

Yep, we really do have a hotel, and it’s every bit as magical as you’d imagine. Nestled in the stunning Rabot Estate in Saint Lucia, our Rabot Hotel is an open-air, adults-only boutique resort with breathtaking views of the iconic Piton mountains. 

When guests aren’t soaking up the sun by the infinity pool or unwinding at the spa, they can tuck into out-of-this-world cacao-centred dishes at the restaurant, tour our magnificent cacao farm, or even try their hand at making their very own chocolate bar.  

While it’s not made entirely out of chocolate (sorry, not this time), it’s a slice of paradise that celebrates our love for quality cacao in every way imaginable. Heaven.  

5. We Own a Company Vehicle Named “The Chocmobile” 

This is… fact.

Yep, we do indeed own a “Chocmobile” — aka our treasured travelling chocolate hub that delivers chocolate happiness all over the country. Filled to the brim with ice cream, brownies, luxury hot chocolate, and more, this mobile chocolate haven is always a crowd-pleaser at festivals and summer events.

Did you know? Our original Chocmobile was stolen back in 2019 when thieves made off with it from our HQ in Hertfordshire. Once located by Bedfordshire police, it was sadly found burned out with the doors ripped off. 

Luckily, nothing stops us from spreading chocolate happiness far and wide, so we quickly got back on the road with our Chocmobile 2.0, which has been scooping, swirling, and delighting ever since.

6. We Offer Matchmaking Services

This is… fact. 

(Just don’t expect romance.)

Okay — we’re clearly not a dating agency, but we do happen to have a knack for matchmaking — when it comes to chocolate, that is. 

Our bespoke Love Match service helps to take the guesswork out of finding your ultimate chocolate soulmate. Whatever your taste, our dating experts — sorry, we mean our chocolate experts — will help you to explore a whole range of exciting taste combinations so you can discover the chocolates that truly get you. So, while we won’t be setting you up on candlelit dinner dates, we will be introducing you to your dream flavour match. 

Ready to find the one? Take the Love Match quiz online, or check out our latest events to try out the live experience in store.

Making Chocolate an Experience, Every Day

While our “Mousse Au Chocolat” paint was purely an April Fools’ prank, our passion for crafting unforgettable chocolate experiences is very real. 

From the magic of a complimentary tasting to the adventure of finding your perfect chocolate match, we believe chocolate should be more than just a treat — it should be an experience to savour all year round. Don’t forget to check out our latest chocolate subscriptions for the best Hotel Chocolat experiences, delivered straight to your door.