Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that since this racy British drama follows the wealthy, self-indulgent patrons of a fictional five-star London hotel, topics like drug use, drinking, prostitution, and extramarital affairs are common. What's more, because plenty of scenes focus on the staff's efforts to promote their guests' lavish lifestyles -- all in order to increase profits and tips -- the show glorifies greed. Strong language (including "s--t"), prevalent sexual content (including brief partial nudity, with short glimpses of breasts), and mature issues like suicide and gun violence are typical fare. Bottom line? It's a guilty pleasure waiting to happen ... for grown ups.
Families can talk about whether series like this are just intended to be guilty pleasures, or whether they're trying to make a larger statement about society. What do the characters value? How would you describe their personalities? To what degree does our society value fame, fortune, and power? How do we explain our obsession with celebrity? Why is money so important to us? Have you ever witnessed a person's quest for money or fame override their own moral judgment? What do you think of that?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
British drama HOTEL BABYLON centers on a five-star London hotel where high-paying guests expect the royal treatment -- and staff members pull out all the stops to make sure their every whim and fancy is satisfied.
The series is based on the same-named novel by Imogen Edwards-Jones, who chronicled some of the most unexpected, outlandish, and downright appalling aspects of life behind the beveled doors of British society's best hotels. The show follows the guests and staff members of one such (fictional) pricey establishment, where, for the duration of their stay, the patrons are masters and mistresses of their domain. What they say goes, their favorite foods magically appear on the room-service menu, and, most importantly, their secrets -- from affairs to rampant drug use to a hidden affinity for women's clothing -- are handled with the utmost discretion.
Nothing within the realm of their star-studded guests' desires ever proves to be too much for the capable hotel staff, which is headed by driven General Manager Rebecca Mitchell (Tamzin Outhwaite). Rebecca is willing to sacrifice almost everything -- even her marriage -- for her share of the Babylon's profit. She's tough and demanding, but her subordinates are up to the challenge.
Deputy Manager Charlie Edwards (Max Beesley) was hooked on the luxury hotel lifestyle from the moment he arrived on the Babylon's doorstep, and he's hungry for promotions that will take him to the top. Among the top brass, he alone exhibits a strong moralistic side, which sometimes puts him at odds with guests and his peers; his complicated past also occasionally threatens to cause strife.
Other characters include head receptionist Anna Thornton-Wilton (Emma Pierson), an aspiring socialite looking to sink her teeth into a wealthy male guest; money-driven concierge Tony Casemore (Dexter Fletcher), who's hoping to retire on his sizable tips alone; star-struck receptionist Ben Trueman (Michael Obiora); and Jackie Clunes (Natalie Mendoza), Charlie's occasional go-to gal and the one who keeps the hardworking housekeeping staff on task.
If you're looking for a new guilty pleasure laden with sex, lies, and the possibility of hidden videotape, then Hotel Babylon is probably worth a reservation. But since it's full of drug use, drinking, illicit sex, and illegal activity, save it for when the kids (even teens) aren't around.
Mature fans may also enjoy other British dramas like Hollyoaks, Saxondale, and Black Books. Or try Las Vegas for more high-rolling antics.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentImplications abound, ranging from the presence of adult toys (a bare-breasted blow-up doll, for example) to sex sounds heard through a hotel room door. Nudity is mostly limited to shots of naked women from behind, with brief glimpses of their breasts. There's plenty of kissing, and prostitution is common in many episodes. |
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ViolenceViolent events like suicide, shootings, and fistfights occasionally play a role in the plot. |
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Language"Bitch," "ass," and "s--t" are common. |
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Social BehaviorMost characters don't have many morals to speak of. Staff members demonstrate a fair amount of greed in their efforts to get guests to spend a lot and give big tips. Characters have affairs, use drugs, hire prostitutes, and engage in various other unhealthy activities. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrinking, smoking, and drug use are common among both hotel guests and staffers. |
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