Ep 2. Walpole Bay

The Hotel Inspector is a popular British television show that follows renowned hotelier and businesswoman, Alex Polizzi, as she travels around the UK to breathe new life into struggling hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses. In season 5 episode 2, Polizzi heads to Cliftonville, Kent to help out the Walpole Bay hotel.

The Walpole Bay is a grand, elegant Victorian hotel that has been in the same family for generations. The hotel has witnessed many changes over the years and has slowly fallen into disrepair. Upon arrival, Alex is greeted by Jane Bishop, the hotel's owner who inherited the property from her parents. Alex is taken aback by the hotel's dilapidated condition and is keen to get to work to make some necessary changes.

Alex begins by taking a closer look at the hotel's bedrooms which are in desperate need of renovation. She is horrified to find that some of the rooms haven't been updated in over 30 years and are in a sorry state of disrepair. The beds are lumpy and uncomfortable, the carpets are stained and threadbare, and the bathrooms are dated and unpleasant. Alex knows that these rooms need a total overhaul if the hotel has any chance of attracting new guests.

Next up, Alex takes a look at the hotel's bar and restaurant areas. She finds that the hotel's restaurant is underused and the menu offerings are dated and unappetizing. The hotel's bar area is also in need of some attention. Alex discovers that the bartenders are not properly trained and are letting the side down. She quickly takes action to retrain them so they can serve customers to a high standard.

Alex also soon realizes that the hotel's decor doesn't match the grandeur of the building. The hotel's public spaces are cluttered with outdated furniture, and the walls are adorned with faded wallpaper and old-fashioned artwork. Alex sees the potential for these spaces to be transformed into something much more inviting, so she enlists the help of some local artists and designers to create a more modern and stylish look for the Walpole Bay.

Throughout her time at the Walpole Bay hotel, Alex is met with resistance from Jane, who is reluctant to make any changes to the hotel. Jane is fiercely proud of the hotel's history and is worried that modernizing the hotel will destroy the building's heritage. Alex has to work hard to convince Jane that modernizing the hotel is necessary if it is to survive in a competitive modern market.

Overcoming these challenges, Alex sets to work transforming the Walpole Bay. She spearheads a renovation of the hotel's bedrooms, bringing them up to a much higher standard. She puts the bartenders through their paces, teaching them how to make classic cocktails and how to deliver great customer service. She also helps to create a stunning new look for the hotel's public spaces, using bright, bold colors and contemporary artwork to give these areas a modern update.

By the end of the show, it's clear that Alex has worked her magic on the Walpole Bay hotel. The hotel has been transformed, and it's now a much more stylish, modern and inviting place for guests to stay. Jane is thrilled with the changes and knows that it has been worthwhile updating the hotel. Overall, season 5 episode 2 of The Hotel Inspector is a must-watch for anyone interested in the hotel industry or for those who love to see old buildings given a new lease of life.