The other reviewers are true about what is being done. Gordon isn't a specialist in Hotels but he seems to know what he's doing for the most part. I'm a fan of Kitchen Nightmares and I enjoyed seeing him try the food, and of course have the usual drama. Those factors are in this as well. He may not be an expert at this category but he'll find Hotels that'll make you wonder how they're still open. There isn't much to go down the line on this if you have seen Kitchen Nightmares. It's in a sense, a spin-off of that show. I'm completely fine with this being a spin-off as I was sad to see his previous show come to an end. You'll get the same drama, food taste testing, remodeling, arrogant owners, and just all around disgusting or other interesting bits inside a hotel including hygiene. I personally enjoy this show and would recommend it to anyone. If you haven't seen it, why not give it a go?
15 Reviews
Definitley for GR fans!
eaglefangs19 August 2021
Not sure why so many are saying he gets nothing done, he clearly does. You can even look up the hotels and many of them are doing great and/or are still open. I do wish there were more details about the hotel part like retraining management and staff sort of thing. Other than that I do enjoy the show.
Why Focus on Hotels if Your Specialty is Restaurants?
LeDentalPlaque25 December 2014
I'm not sure where to start with Gordon Ramsay's Hotel Hell, but as a core belief, I say that someone should not act as an expert in something they don't specialize in. It's kind of like a biologist acting like they know everything about physics, provided that they've only had biology-related education. This is the case with Hotel Hell.
Gordon Ramsay made his fame through the restaurant and dining experience. He's known for his outbursts and rude awakenings, but it's always been related to food - his specialty. Last year, I saw some episodes of Hotel Hell and the first thing that came through my mind is a simple question of "what kind of experience does he have with hotels"? To me, it's not good to have a show whose main host has no deep roots in that business.
Of course, it's highly interesting to see the different hotels and to see Gordon Ramsay's softer side in trying to help out these struggling owners, but the show doesn't get as much credit because the host and producer are not professionals in this field - so there's only so much you can believe.
Most of the show is also focused on Gordon himself, like him swimming in the pool almost every episode...Apart from helping to renovate one or two rooms in the hotel, the only good take-away is the restaurant aspect of each hotel, since he does specialize in that area.
Overall, I rate it a 6/10 because of a lack of professional input from the hotel industry, but it is still good entertainment because it's frightening to see how terrible some hotels are.
Gordon Ramsay made his fame through the restaurant and dining experience. He's known for his outbursts and rude awakenings, but it's always been related to food - his specialty. Last year, I saw some episodes of Hotel Hell and the first thing that came through my mind is a simple question of "what kind of experience does he have with hotels"? To me, it's not good to have a show whose main host has no deep roots in that business.
Of course, it's highly interesting to see the different hotels and to see Gordon Ramsay's softer side in trying to help out these struggling owners, but the show doesn't get as much credit because the host and producer are not professionals in this field - so there's only so much you can believe.
Most of the show is also focused on Gordon himself, like him swimming in the pool almost every episode...Apart from helping to renovate one or two rooms in the hotel, the only good take-away is the restaurant aspect of each hotel, since he does specialize in that area.
Overall, I rate it a 6/10 because of a lack of professional input from the hotel industry, but it is still good entertainment because it's frightening to see how terrible some hotels are.
Incredibly enjoyable show which all fans of Gordon Ramsey will love
mariusjohnsen8523 March 2017
I really love Kitchen Nightmares and i've watched through that show wanting more. I only recently learned about this show, but i fell in love with it from the very first episode i watched.
Gordon Ramsey is back and he's better than ever. Previously he's tackled improving poor and mediocre restaurants. This time however Gordon is tackling an abundance of poorly run and very mediocre hotels.
Something we quickly learn is that a poorly run hotel is apparently very common, be it from being run by a stubborn owner or a dysfunctional family.
No matter whats the case, Gordon doesn't hold back, when he finds something which is unacceptable, he lets the owner/s know and he rips them a new one or two if he has to.
Hope Hotel Hell will be back for more seasons, Great Show
Gordon Ramsey is back and he's better than ever. Previously he's tackled improving poor and mediocre restaurants. This time however Gordon is tackling an abundance of poorly run and very mediocre hotels.
Something we quickly learn is that a poorly run hotel is apparently very common, be it from being run by a stubborn owner or a dysfunctional family.
No matter whats the case, Gordon doesn't hold back, when he finds something which is unacceptable, he lets the owner/s know and he rips them a new one or two if he has to.
Hope Hotel Hell will be back for more seasons, Great Show
Gordon Ramsey needs to stay out of hotels
mysticnox25 August 2014
I've worked in the hotel industry for 12 years. Gordon Ramsey doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
He's overly focused on the restaurant, and ignores what actually makes the real money in hotels. The rooms are the money maker, not the food. The food should still be good, but there's a better way to do this. Unless you're catering to the locals for dinner, you're much better just having breakfast and maybe lunch. Or breakfast and dinner.
These hotels need to pay attention to their revenue streams, marketing, revenue management, being on the proper websites, and more. Marketing is about where your position is and to get yourself known. It's about knowing the market, not "I make deals".
Whats the comp set? What are the rates in comparison? Can you feed off the cities nearby?
Each hotel is different. Whats the best model of revenue for the hotel?
REAL hoteliers need to be doing this, not a chef. Running a hotel is very different than running a restaurant.
And frankly, what I just said doesn't even begin to cover the problems I'm seeing with this show. This show is terrible. And frankly embarrassing. There are better shows out there such as Hotel Impossible where the host has 20 years of REAL hotel experience.
Gordon, go back to restaurants. It's what you're good at.
He's overly focused on the restaurant, and ignores what actually makes the real money in hotels. The rooms are the money maker, not the food. The food should still be good, but there's a better way to do this. Unless you're catering to the locals for dinner, you're much better just having breakfast and maybe lunch. Or breakfast and dinner.
These hotels need to pay attention to their revenue streams, marketing, revenue management, being on the proper websites, and more. Marketing is about where your position is and to get yourself known. It's about knowing the market, not "I make deals".
Whats the comp set? What are the rates in comparison? Can you feed off the cities nearby?
Each hotel is different. Whats the best model of revenue for the hotel?
REAL hoteliers need to be doing this, not a chef. Running a hotel is very different than running a restaurant.
And frankly, what I just said doesn't even begin to cover the problems I'm seeing with this show. This show is terrible. And frankly embarrassing. There are better shows out there such as Hotel Impossible where the host has 20 years of REAL hotel experience.
Gordon, go back to restaurants. It's what you're good at.
Gordon can't do wrong.
destiny_west28 January 2023
When it comes to Gordon Ramsay he can't do wrong in my book. Obviously I prefer Kitchen Nightmares and I am going old school and saying Kitchen Nightmares UK, way back without the over the top drama needed for US viewers like in the US version.
Regardless I still liked and watched The US version of Kitchen Nightmares and obviously Hotel Hell.
In Hotel Hell, Gordon visits hotels/inns that are struggling and helps fix what is wrong with them, there is the usual conflict with grumpy owners etc.
It is highly entertaining though. And you get to see a half naked Gordon in one episode!
And what's not to love about that theme song.
Honestly if you take this show with a grain of salt and just love watching Gordon do what he does, then you will enjoy it.
Regardless I still liked and watched The US version of Kitchen Nightmares and obviously Hotel Hell.
In Hotel Hell, Gordon visits hotels/inns that are struggling and helps fix what is wrong with them, there is the usual conflict with grumpy owners etc.
It is highly entertaining though. And you get to see a half naked Gordon in one episode!
And what's not to love about that theme song.
Honestly if you take this show with a grain of salt and just love watching Gordon do what he does, then you will enjoy it.
Why do we need to see his bum each time?
LovingGoodShows18 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Very Gordon Ramsey formulaic stuff and quite similar to "Kitchen Nightmares":
Arrives, meets the staff, immediately finds something wrong with hygiene/security at reception or in his room, has a meal and hates everything, finds some staff/family clashes, shows us his bum as he gets into jacuzzi/shower/bath, gets previous customers to feedback bad reviews, shouts, deals out psychology, simplifies the menu, does some simple renovation, re-invigorates chef's passion ... hey presto.
I like the show but his bottom and the formulaic approach to everything is beginning to wear a little thin.
Arrives, meets the staff, immediately finds something wrong with hygiene/security at reception or in his room, has a meal and hates everything, finds some staff/family clashes, shows us his bum as he gets into jacuzzi/shower/bath, gets previous customers to feedback bad reviews, shouts, deals out psychology, simplifies the menu, does some simple renovation, re-invigorates chef's passion ... hey presto.
I like the show but his bottom and the formulaic approach to everything is beginning to wear a little thin.
Not Really a Hotel Show
scottysang24 June 2022
I watched Hotel Impossible first and that show definitely showed more expertise in how to improve or save a Hotel. This show was just to give Ramsey another TV show. Anthony from Hotel Impossible was much more knowledgeable and it just had a better fundamental factor in the show. I gave 3 stars because I like Ramsey.
Gordon loves sticking his fingers in dirty holes...
Kitahito15 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Let's state the obvious: Gordon Ramsay knows everything. I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up on the International Space Station with his little bacteria counter gadget to shout the astronauts' heads off and educate them with snarky and passive-agressive comments. We are already used to formulaic structure, created conflicts, exaggerated drama, irritating role confusion, boundary crossing, that he is the product, the snake oil for all ailments and illnesses. Of course we don't accept it, and it's still a very false and lying claim, but we're used to it. Cruelty, however, is still unaccustomed, with Ramsay wiping his feet into these businesses, obliviously trampling people over, saying he's here to help while making a television show of others' severe disadvantage. Hotel Hell is pure misery porn, which leaves a particularly bad taste in the mouth, because the strict, but sometimes relaxed, good-natured Ramsay seen in Kitchen Nightmares has devolved into a humorless, cynical and intentionally malignant media personality, which is not fun to watch. At this point, it feels like he is just rude for the sake of being rude (in a very english way, mind you!), there is no longer any illusion that he really wants to change something here and improve the business. Of course, by the end of the episode, everything is solved in a flick, the stubborn owner gives in and changes, only because Ramsay asked him to change, but really now. That's not the point. In fact, the show here is just that we should be horrified by the filth, which is finally quantified: look, in this random hidden corner behind a cabinet, the amount of bacteria is 10 million points, even though 30 is normal! That's really brutal! Health hazard! Health hazard! Quickly, push a fire alarm and drive out the guests to the street in the middle of the night! Fokking unbelievable, mate! But at least now he's using an earpick and not his fingers to probe the dirt, like back in Kitchen Nightmares. I'm glad that he is improving as a person.
Are you checked out? Are you done?! - Yes I am, I'm indeed done.
Are you checked out? Are you done?! - Yes I am, I'm indeed done.
If you thought 'Kitchen Nightmares' was conflict..
n-mo17 September 2019
... this one is ten times worse.
Gordon Ramsey clearly has a lot going for him: top chef, gastronomic guru and mostly excellent hospitality-management expertise. (You'll understand momentarily why I say "mostly.") As with most "reality TV" (or perhaps more accurately, "unscripted drama") however, he boosts basket cases so extreme they rarely if ever come down to Earth to profit from the incredible turnaround they are offered at the conclusion. But of course they can get away with that because the reversion and eventual failure of most of these establishments simply isn't shown and is far enough from most viewers' experience that they can be fooled. (We'll see how long that scam holds up as instant Googling becomes an after-watching habit.)
Look, I get it. Intense cases and dramatic (albeit artificial and superficial and therefore effervescent) breakthroughs make for great television. But these are actual people and places we're talking about. Sure, it's *usually* (but see below) their fault for the histrionic desperation of displaying their worst flaws on TV. There is something rather twisted, though, if not sadistic, in baiting the hopeless - even if they happen to be truly bad people - for the sake of lucrative entertainment.
And this is where 'Hotel Hell' really takes the cake: the owners are often live-in concierges, and so we get a close-up on their worst personal as well as professional qualities - so close up, in fact, that I feel sorry almost even for some of the worst of them. Is Ramsey despite all his talents so dense that he doesn't get the harm he's doing? Or is he a sociopath who can be a good manager... when it's lucrative for HIM, but not when the best interests of his charges (in this case his inn-keeping subjects) would require him to cover for them (even at a cost)? In one case he dealt with an elderly inn-keeper who was obviously suffering from at least early-stage dementia and didn't hesitate to include an employee's remark about the lady's bowel incontinence. So what does he do? He renovates anyway and reinstates her as manager! The proper thing to do would have been to tell her son and landlord that she needed a hospice nurse or some other form of assisted living, not a management title. And to ax the episode, instead of subjecting that poor lady to such public indignity in her twilight years.
Ethics aside, there's something uneconomical (if not unecological) about the sensationalism of reality TV. After all, one can't help shake one's head at the terrible waste of resources on these hopeless losers when there are plenty of earnest but less struggling folks who just need a bit of help and guidance could make a killing (and help many others!) with considerably less effort and resources to get a leg up.
Gordon Ramsey clearly has a lot going for him: top chef, gastronomic guru and mostly excellent hospitality-management expertise. (You'll understand momentarily why I say "mostly.") As with most "reality TV" (or perhaps more accurately, "unscripted drama") however, he boosts basket cases so extreme they rarely if ever come down to Earth to profit from the incredible turnaround they are offered at the conclusion. But of course they can get away with that because the reversion and eventual failure of most of these establishments simply isn't shown and is far enough from most viewers' experience that they can be fooled. (We'll see how long that scam holds up as instant Googling becomes an after-watching habit.)
Look, I get it. Intense cases and dramatic (albeit artificial and superficial and therefore effervescent) breakthroughs make for great television. But these are actual people and places we're talking about. Sure, it's *usually* (but see below) their fault for the histrionic desperation of displaying their worst flaws on TV. There is something rather twisted, though, if not sadistic, in baiting the hopeless - even if they happen to be truly bad people - for the sake of lucrative entertainment.
And this is where 'Hotel Hell' really takes the cake: the owners are often live-in concierges, and so we get a close-up on their worst personal as well as professional qualities - so close up, in fact, that I feel sorry almost even for some of the worst of them. Is Ramsey despite all his talents so dense that he doesn't get the harm he's doing? Or is he a sociopath who can be a good manager... when it's lucrative for HIM, but not when the best interests of his charges (in this case his inn-keeping subjects) would require him to cover for them (even at a cost)? In one case he dealt with an elderly inn-keeper who was obviously suffering from at least early-stage dementia and didn't hesitate to include an employee's remark about the lady's bowel incontinence. So what does he do? He renovates anyway and reinstates her as manager! The proper thing to do would have been to tell her son and landlord that she needed a hospice nurse or some other form of assisted living, not a management title. And to ax the episode, instead of subjecting that poor lady to such public indignity in her twilight years.
Ethics aside, there's something uneconomical (if not unecological) about the sensationalism of reality TV. After all, one can't help shake one's head at the terrible waste of resources on these hopeless losers when there are plenty of earnest but less struggling folks who just need a bit of help and guidance could make a killing (and help many others!) with considerably less effort and resources to get a leg up.
Typical American over exaggerated nonsense!
gscampbelluk2 December 2018
Ridiculous
pimpingfizz19 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
All he does is show up and critic, nothing gets fixed and no improvements are made... as a viewer , i wouldn't want to visit any of these places, i feel he has this demeanor on to sell to the public... if things are really shitty then fix them...! he literally shows up and starts complaining, gets people fired, shows attitude and that's that... i don't feel as if the show really helps anything, it's strictly a rude person, who is entertaining to watch but doesn't help at all... he point's out mistakes, which they are but doesn't really do much to fix anything. overall it is entertaining to watch people get discredited and builled.
Phony and staged. And why do we need to see Chef Ramsay in the shower???
tiffanie_says_stay_in_your_lane15 October 2023
This show is more scripted and exaggerated than Kitchen Nightmares. I think it was just a way for Chef Ramsay to continue making money after that ended. Television (and the film industry for that matter) are full of greedy people. At least in my generation. Based on my research, it sounds like people in show business had integrity a long time ago. But nowadays, they'll do anything for a buck, no matter how ridiculous or degrading. Although he's a chef by trade, he reminds me of an actor. He has the ability to convey different personas. It's like he went to a theater school before going into cooking. He also takes on different projects that are outside the realm of his expertise. This time around he contends with hotel owners who are out of touch with their staff, in addition to the overall cleanliness of the building. All of these places have hideous decor. They're like bed and breakfast type places. Floral wallpaper and antique furniture in all of the rooms. It doesn't take a genius to see there's a major need for cleaning and renovation. It's quite stupid they needed Chef Ramsay to bring that to their attention. And by the way - what is the point of watching him take a shower?!? Obviously they don't show his genitals, but seeing his chest, legs, and feet are disgusting enough. This man needs to keep his clothes on. He looks like a bona fide ghost. He's regarded as a sex symbol, and I never understood why. To tell the truth, I don't find British men sexy in general. I prefer men by way of the Mediterranean.
The believability of this show leaves a lot to be desired. I feel like reality programs make life out to be simplistic. It's an alternate dimension where people are able to work out their issues with minimal effort, thought or consideration. Apologies are accepted right away, even if the person who's apologizing has been acting like a narcissist for several years, and hurting all of the people around them. I was done with the episode where the socially inept owner of a hotel in Milford, PA had an overnight transformation after he heard his employees telling Chef Ramsay about how he sucked all of their enthusiasm. Unbeknownst to them, they were being filmed, and the owner was watching. Then he comes out and says 'sorry, that wasn't my intention. I didn't mean to suck the enthusiasm out of anyone,' or something along those lines (I'm sure they aired their grievances many times, so I don't know why he was surprised by how they felt). Then he's dressed by a Hollywood fashion person, further motivating him to be a better person. He was 48 and single, so after he put on his new clothes, Chef Ramsay took him to a bar down the street to find a girlfriend. Apparently Chef Ramsay must have magical powers like Samantha from Bewitched and cast a spell on the women there, because they all swarmed around him like he was the most intriguing human in the universe, and he had no problem talking to them. The next night, the same group of women arrived at the hotel for dinner, and Chef Ramsay got them to write down their phone numbers for the owner. Okay, are we supposed to believe this guy went from totally awkward (didn't smile much, had trouble giving eye contact, struggled with rehearsing how to greet guests when they first entered the hotel), to all of the sudden being a chick magnet just because his appearance was changed? That's when I started watching something else. It just got really absurd. It takes more than clothes to increase someone's confidence. What you wear is just superficial. Not to mention, a bar/nightclub atmosphere can be an uncomfortable experience for people who are very shy, so it's not like they'll have that easy of a time finding someone to date. It was the phoniest episode I've seen. I only watch this when nothing else is on, but it's so lame. The situations and dialogue are questionable, which is why it comes off as staged. Makes you wonder how legit Chef Ramsay is.
The believability of this show leaves a lot to be desired. I feel like reality programs make life out to be simplistic. It's an alternate dimension where people are able to work out their issues with minimal effort, thought or consideration. Apologies are accepted right away, even if the person who's apologizing has been acting like a narcissist for several years, and hurting all of the people around them. I was done with the episode where the socially inept owner of a hotel in Milford, PA had an overnight transformation after he heard his employees telling Chef Ramsay about how he sucked all of their enthusiasm. Unbeknownst to them, they were being filmed, and the owner was watching. Then he comes out and says 'sorry, that wasn't my intention. I didn't mean to suck the enthusiasm out of anyone,' or something along those lines (I'm sure they aired their grievances many times, so I don't know why he was surprised by how they felt). Then he's dressed by a Hollywood fashion person, further motivating him to be a better person. He was 48 and single, so after he put on his new clothes, Chef Ramsay took him to a bar down the street to find a girlfriend. Apparently Chef Ramsay must have magical powers like Samantha from Bewitched and cast a spell on the women there, because they all swarmed around him like he was the most intriguing human in the universe, and he had no problem talking to them. The next night, the same group of women arrived at the hotel for dinner, and Chef Ramsay got them to write down their phone numbers for the owner. Okay, are we supposed to believe this guy went from totally awkward (didn't smile much, had trouble giving eye contact, struggled with rehearsing how to greet guests when they first entered the hotel), to all of the sudden being a chick magnet just because his appearance was changed? That's when I started watching something else. It just got really absurd. It takes more than clothes to increase someone's confidence. What you wear is just superficial. Not to mention, a bar/nightclub atmosphere can be an uncomfortable experience for people who are very shy, so it's not like they'll have that easy of a time finding someone to date. It was the phoniest episode I've seen. I only watch this when nothing else is on, but it's so lame. The situations and dialogue are questionable, which is why it comes off as staged. Makes you wonder how legit Chef Ramsay is.
Ramsey's Hotel Garbage.
Hotwok20131 July 2017
As if chef Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Hell wasn't a contrived lot of twaddle, now he has turned his attention to criticising hotels. Kitchen Hell was bad enough but Hotel Hell is a whole lot worse. You can only assume that hotels prepared to come under the gaze of his critical eye are so desperate for business they think that having a celebrity stop at their establishment is worth it for the television advertisement even if what he has to say is less than complimentary. Gordon Ramsey is one of those TV chefs that seems to think he's a genius even though any idiot can cook. When you can paint like Rembrandt or compose a symphony like Mozart or Beethoven, then your a real genius!. Quite why he thinks his culinary knowledge qualifies him to be believe he is an expert in hotel management is beyond me. This, for me, is total television crap!.
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