Parents' Guide to

Hotel Hell

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Celeb chef helps hoteliers, one foul rant at a time.

TV Fox Reality TV 2012
Hotel Hell 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 8+

Based on 4 parent reviews

26wyeydududu
26wyeydududu Adult
January 30, 2020
age 2+

Good

Calm down parents your children aren't babies let them watch this show

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much swearing
Joanna T.
Joanna T. Adult
May 25, 2017
age 15+

STOP UNDRESSING-PLEASE

I find Gordon shows entertaining. Watch a few and you'll learn to recognise a patern, but still... good times. However...... PLEASE. STOP SHOWING US YOUR BARE BOTTOM, UNDRESSING ON CAMERA , ECT. Each time I need to press forward to spare myself those scenes. I'm not a prude but that's unnecessary and undermines your credibility. You become a desperate joke. Please stop and let us watch your shows in piece without going 'oh noooooo....there he goes again!!'
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In HOTEL HELL, British celebrity chef/restaurateur Gordon Ramsay visits hotels that are experiencing financial trouble and helps owners turn them around. Ramsay travels around the U.S. to stay at bed and breakfasts, historic inns, and various hotels that are struggling to survive. After checking in to a room and trying a meal, he offers his trademark blunt observations about what he thinks is lacking. He also spends time touring the grounds, interviewing owners, watching the interaction with clients, and meeting with current and former staffers to identify the concrete reasons why the business is failing. Diamond Collection hotel inspectors are also invited to share their opinions. Then it's up to the owners to make it work in hopes of offering clients an enjoyable stay, turning a profit, and -- if they're lucky -- becoming a Diamond-rated establishment.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Hotel Hell offers a voyeuristic behind-the-scenes look at the various aspects of the hotel industry and highlights how a business should be managed in order to satisfy guests while turning a profit. But, like most of Ramsay's shows, Hotel Hell's primary entertainment value lies with the chef's trademark short-tempered reactions to what he perceives is people's inability to understand and respect the type of work and commitment that goes into running a successful hospitality business.

While the show underscores lots of positive things -- including the importance of good organizational communication, team building, respect, and good customer service -- its strong language, along with Ramsay's inexplicable (but humorous) need to take off his shirt (and occasionally other articles of clothing) in front of the camera, makes Hotel Hell iffy viewing for tweens. But teens and adults who like this sort of thing will most likely find it fun to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Gordon Ramsay. What's his appeal? Do you think he's as mean in real life as he seems on his shows? Why do people like watching him yell at other people? Is he a role model?

  • Why do you think hotel owners agree to appear on reality shows that expose the problems with their business? Is it in exchange for the help to improve it? Or is it for promotional reasons?

TV Details

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