Parents' Guide to

Hotel Babylon

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Brit guilty pleasure is best reserved for adults.

TV BBC America Drama 2006
Hotel Babylon Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

hormiga
hormiga Parent of 16-year-old
December 22, 2009
age 17+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Based Imogen Edwards-Jones' novel, the British drama HOTEL BABYLON centers on a five-star London hotel where high-paying guests are given the royal treatment -- and staff members pull out all the stops to make sure their every desire is satisfied. What the patrons say goes -- their favorite foods magically appear on the room-service menu, and, most importantly, their reputation-ruining secrets are handled with the utmost discretion. Heading up the hotel's capable staff is General Manager Rebecca Mitchell (Tamzin Outhwaite), who is willing to sacrifice almost everything -- even her marriage -- for her share of the Babylon's profit. Deputy Manager Charlie Edwards (Max Beesley) is hungry to rise to the top, but he's hampered by a complicated past and strong morals that sometimes puts him at odds with guests and his peers. Other characters include gold-digging receptionist Anna Thornton-Wilton (Emma Pierson); tips-obsessed concierge Tony Casemore (Dexter Fletcher); star-struck receptionist Ben Trueman (Michael Obiora); and the hardworking head of housekeeping, Jackie Clunes (Natalie Mendoza).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

TV Details

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