Stuck at home with no access to vacay for a while? Life doesn’t have to be so bleak. Just put on one of these hotel TV shows and get transported to a completely different place. From urban getaways to tropical escapes, these programmes will give you the 5-star fix you’re missing out on. And for more lust-worthy locays, check out our stories on: wellness resorts in Taiwan, Phuket design hotels, and the best pink hotels around the world.

The best hotel TV shows

1. Inside the World’s Greatest Hotels

This show from Britain’s Channel 5 is really well done, making it an absolute must for hotelophiles, architects, design fiends and those who love to travel. Though there are only six episodes, each is extremely interesting, covering the history of the property, the design, turbulent times and its place in the world today.

We loved learning about how the Ritz came to be (it’s a very juicy story!) and just why the architect of The Beverly Hills Hotel decided to paint it pink, and did you hear about the tiger who went for tea at Raffles?!

Find out more about Inside the World’s Greatest Hotels

2. The Savoy

Made by ITV in the UK, The Savoy tells the tale of one of London’s (if not the world’s) most well-known hotels. You’ll learn lots of secrets about the inner workings of the property and will definitely fall in love with characters like Tony the Doorman and Mary-Kate the florist. There’s even a little Gordon Ramsay flair as he runs the famed Savoy Grill, plus you’ll see what happened to the hotel during COVID. We’re happy to hear that season two is already being filmed.

Read our review of The Savoy.

Find out more about The Savoy

3. Vanderpump Villa

Oui, oui, oui love this new show from hospitality/reality grand dame, Lisa Vanderpump. If you are a fan of shows like Below Deck, the Real Housewives franchise, and Vanderpump Rules, then get ready for more of the same wild antics – but in the south of France (plot twist!)

Basically, a team of hot, young mixologists, event planners, and servers have been transplanted from the States to run Chateau Rosabelle, a property that basically screams LVP at every turn with pink everything, excessive floral displays, fine dining, and a side of crazy behaviour.

Come for the drama stay for the good vibes.

Learn more about Vanderpump Villa

4. Grand Hotel

The first non-reality show to make the list, Grand Hotel (from Executive Producer Eva Longoria) tells the story of a family-owned 5-star property on Miami Beach called The Riviera Grand. We’ll be honest, this is shameless bad TV obsession at its very best. Expect family struggles, money problems, sex, owners fraternising with the staff and lots more cliches than you can shake a stick at. Unfortunately, this show was cancelled after just one season due to poor ratings – boo.

Find out more about Grand Hotel

5. The World’s Most Famous Train

This one-off documentary from Britain’s Channel 4 is a wonderful look at how the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express runs from day-to-day. Taking the viewer on a journey to discover how food is prepared (and why they can’t fry anything), how they cope with keeping passengers fit and what part of the train’s eco-system makes the most turnover every journey (it may or may not be the bar), this is a wonderful watch for anyone who has always fancied a trip on this historic gem.

Find out more about The World’s Most Famous Train

6. The Halcyon

This British period drama from ITV takes us back to 1940. Set inside The Halcyon Hotel, the height of class and 5-star hedonism, the eight-part programme shows how London was affected throughout the war, with storylines around both the elite guests and working-class staff.

Beautiful costumes, great music, and amazing design make the show a must-see, we’re just sad they stopped after only one season.

Find out more about The Halcyon

7. Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby

Travel across the globe from Singapore to South Africa with Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. In this show, hosts Giles Coren and Monica Galetti get their hands dirty working in various roles at outstanding hotels, from cleaning to cooking and even building igloos. It’s a fascinating look inside some stunning properties with great story-telling to boot. Discover what it’s like to stay at world-class resorts like The Datai Langkawi and Marina Bay Sands.

Find out more about Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby

8. The World’s Most Luxurious Holidays

best hotel tv shows

Bougie, bougie, bougie is the name of the game here. Channel 4’s The World’s Most Luxurious Holidays takes you inside luxe hotels across the globe so you can see how the 1% really live. Meet the characters who create these idyllic settings and find out some of the secrets, like where the butlers can’t walk on the carpet. From the penthouse in one of New York’s best boutique hotels (where Meghan Markle had her baby shower nonetheless) to seaside getaways where falcons are employed to keep seagulls at bay, hotel lovers will definitely love watching this colourful show.

Find out more about The World’s Most Luxurious Holidays

9.  Motel Makeover

What’s not to love about seeing an old run-down motel transform into a stylish modern must-stay? The team at Netflix knows how to pull us in with its ideas and this show is made with hotel/design fans in mind. It has everything from disasters to going over budget to DIY to Instagrammable interiors and even a number of lovable local characters along the way. Throw COVID in the mix and you’ve got the perfect bingeable beauty.

Watch Motel Makeover

10. Trixie Motel

Drag Queen Trixie Mattel teams up with designer Dani Dazey to overhaul a motel in Palm Springs. If you love colour, patterns, and general good times, it’s an absolute must-see.

Find out more about Trixie Motel

11. The White Lotus

Award-winning dark comedy The White Lotus follows a group of guests and employees at a fictional resort chain. A cast of veteran actors, including Jennifer Coolidge and Molly Shannon make this show a winner, with the first season set in Hawaii and the second in Sicily. It’s an absolute must-watch.

Learn more about The White Lotus

12. Fred’s Last Resort

In this reality show set at the exclusive Les Roches Blanches in the south of France, 12 young brits compete to win a job at a five-star hotel alongside a cash prize to sweeten the deal. Mentored by hospitality legend Fred Sirieix, the competition includes everything from catering to the lavish wants of high-class guests to organising a calendar shoot at the hotel… for dogs. Who will steady their nerves long enough to establish themselves in the hotel industry?

Watch Fred’s Last Resort

13. The Night Manager

Featuring  a bevy of renowned actors, including Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Colman, The Night Manager tells the story of a hotel Night Manager in Cairo who is recruited into an intelligence agency. Set during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, the show promises espionage, arms deals, and is based on the 1993 novel by John le Carré of the same name. It’s rumoured that series two will begin filming this year.

Learn more about The Night Manager

14. A Very British Hotel

Another British gem that is sure to delight is A Very British Hotel. In just three episodes, you’ll learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the glorious Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park that is located in the fancy Knightsbridge area of London.

From the role of the concierge (and just how far they go for their guests), to over-the-top events and the changing market of the hotel industry, this is another great hotel TV show with which to while away some hours.

Find out more about A Very British Hotel

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