Leoni Wilton, whose family owns Bournemouth’s Chocolate Boutique Hotel has opened the town’s first chocolate-themed B&B.
The Chocolate Box boutique B&B in West Cliff Road offers its guests chocolate-inspired rooms, daily deliveries of chocolate and Chocadence, a private hire venue, where they can eat and drink chocolate to their hearts’ desire.
Ms Wilton, who is just 26, said: “It’s very exciting to open a completely new kind of B&B in Bournemouth, but it’s also a very natural progression for me;
“My father Gerry Wilton is a chocolatier who travels the world giving workshops on chocolate. He was also instrumental in introducing chocolate fountains to the UK. As a result I have grown up literally living and breathing chocolate.”
She continued: “When my family opened the Chocolate Boutique Hotel in 2006 we created a luxurious place for chocolate lovers from around the world to come and enjoy chocolate, create their own chocolates and even paint portraits with it.
“As the business developed I became more and more involved in it, accompanying Dad to workshops and eventually mastering the art of making beautiful chocolates.
“Two years ago I set up my own children’s chocolate party company and now I am putting my personality and love of chocolate into The Chocolate Box, offering high end accommodation, but with a laid-back B&B format.”
Leoni is particularly proud of Chocadence, a private room where guests and non-guests can celebrate birthdays, hen parties and special occasions with a variety of chocolate party packages.
Groups of 10 or more adults can book Chocadence and a variety of packages giving them everything from Belgian chocolates, brownies and hot chocolate, to profiteroles, Prosecco and chocktails.
“We are anticipating it will be very popular as a hen party venue, but it’s also a great place for an adult birthday party or just a girly night with friends,” said Leoni.
The Chocolate Box occupies the former Marlins Hotel in West Cliff Road and has undergone major refurbishment in recent months.
“Bournemouth has a huge and diverse range of guest accommodation, but I like to think there is always room for more chocolate,” said its owner.
“I’m really looking forward to offering people a delicious new take on the B&B.”
The Chocolate Box offers B&B accommodation from £70 a night.
To celebrate its opening The Chocolate Box is offering a limited number of double rooms for £75.
For more details and information on how to book accommodation and a Chocadence party, please visit: http://www.thechocolateboxhotel.co.uk
Media information, please contact Debbie Granville, Deep South Media, tel: 01202 534487 or email: debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Information for editors
The Chocolate Box boutique B&B is at 2 West Cliff Road, Bournemouth. Tel: 01202 299645.
The Chocolate Boutique Hotel is at 5 Durley Road, Bournemouth. Tel 01202 556 857 or visit: www.thechocolateboutiquehotel.co.uk
Chocadence party packages start from 1.5 hours for £20 per person and require a minimum of 10 people.
