Ep 1. Crown Inn

The Hotel Inspector season 5 episode 1, titled "Crown Inn," follows renowned hotelier and businesswoman Alex Polizzi as she embarks on a mission to save a struggling hotel. In this particular episode, Alex heads to the picturesque village of Blockley in the Cotswolds to visit the Crown Inn, a 16th-century inn that has been in operation for over 350 years.

As soon as Alex arrives, she immediately notices the lack of attention to detail and the poor presentation of the hotel. The rooms are old-fashioned and outdated, with peeling wallpaper, stained carpets, and rickety beds. The common areas are cluttered and unkempt, and the staff seem disinterested in providing good customer service.

Alex soon discovers that the current owners, a couple who inherited the hotel from their parents, are struggling to keep the hotel afloat. They have been relying on repeat business from loyal customers rather than actively seeking new business, and this has resulted in a decline in standards and a lack of investment in the hotel.

Throughout the episode, Alex works tirelessly to identify the hotel's strengths and weaknesses and to come up with a plan to turn the business around. She advises the owners on how to improve their customer service, how to modernize the rooms without losing the hotel's historical charm, and how to market the hotel more effectively to attract new guests.

One of the main challenges for Alex is convincing the owners to invest in the hotel, despite their financial struggles. She comes up with a range of cost-effective solutions, such as rearranging the furniture and updating the lighting, that will make a big difference to the hotel's appearance and overall appeal.

As with all episodes of The Hotel Inspector, the Crown Inn episode also offers viewers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of the hotel industry. Alex meets with various members of staff, from the chef to the receptionist, to understand their individual roles in the hotel and how they can work together to improve guest experiences.

Overall, the Crown Inn episode of The Hotel Inspector is a fascinating and entertaining look at how a struggling hotel can be transformed with the right expertise and investment. Alex's practical advice and guidance will inspire other hotel owners and investors to take a fresh look at their own businesses and to make the necessary changes to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.