If you’re searching for the perfect summer drama, ABC’s Grand Hotel could be just what you need. It’s a modern twist on the famous Spanish period drama, Gran Hotel.
Though it might not match the original series (which you can catch on Netflix), there’s plenty here to keep you entertained. Think of it as a quintessential summer escape with elements like murder, mystery, melodrama, romance, and even some Miami beach glamour. This show is full of glitz, glamour, and dramatic tension, making it the TV version of a breezy beach read.
Grand Hotel keeps the structure of its predecessor but updates it into a modern-day telenovela for American viewers. The plot revolves around wealthy and beautiful guests enjoying luxury, while scandals, debt, and secrets lurk beneath the surface.
If you watched the original series, you might have an idea of what’s coming. However, for newcomers, it’s better to dive in and experience the unfolding twists for yourself. Essentially, the storyline begins with a hotel worker disappearing during a hurricane, sparking a series of mysteries at a luxurious Miami hotel.
The central character is Alicia, the owner’s daughter, freshly back from college with a business degree, only to discover her father’s plans to sell the hotel. Danny, a new hotel worker with a mysterious past, also plays a pivotal role. His motives and secrets gradually unveil as he and Alicia develop a budding romance.
Other key characters include Santiago Mendoza, the hotel owner; his cunning new wife Gigi; her twin daughters, Carolina and Yoli; Alicia’s flirtatious brother, Javi; the shady business partner, Mateo; and a local celebrity guest, El Rey. Downstairs, we meet Helen, the efficient housekeeper, her son Jason, and a troubled maid named Ingrid.
While the original series centered on the romance between Alicia and Julio (Danny in this version), the new adaptation focuses more on mystery and melodrama, with romance taking a backseat. It’s a more ensemble-driven show compared to its Spanish counterpart.
This version introduces changes such as the dead mother instead of a father and a wicked stepmother with her two daughters, adding fairy-tale elements to the plot.
Overall, Grand Hotel offers a lot of campy fun. While it may not satisfy purists looking for a period drama or an intensely romantic storyline, it serves well as an entertaining escapist melodrama.
You can catch Grand Hotel on ABC on Mondays at 10/9c, or stream it on Hulu as new episodes become available.
Content Note: TV-14 for implied sexuality and intense moments.
Have you watched Grand Hotel on ABC or the original Spanish series? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this remake in the comments.
