Thursday’s episode of Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector saw two friends in Bramber, East Sussex, attempt to turn their hotel and pub around
The Hotel Inspector followed best friends Jack and Danny on Thursday’s episode as they attempted to save their hotel and pub(Image: Channel 5)
The Hotel Inspector followed best friends Jack and Danny on Thursday’s episode as they attempted to save their hotel and pub.
The two pals, who had been best friends since meeting on a ski season in 2010, had decided to go into business together, gambling everything to run the 16th-century Castle Inn, a 20-bedroom pub and restaurant in the charming village of Bramber, East Sussex.
However, after six months, the two pals were struggling as occupancy had plummeted with Jack having to dip into his wedding funds and Danny uprooting his young family from Birmingham to East Sussex to make the business venture work.
Thankfully, British hotelier, businesswoman and The Hotel Inspector host Alex Polizzi was on hand to help the duo turn things around. Alex, 54, was unimpressed with the hotel’s bare and dated decor, including fake flowers and all white decoration everywhere.
Alex even admitted she was “horrified” by the “ghastly” sitting area, saying there was no charm at all in the hotel, even likening the space to a canteen.
As part of her plan to combat some negative online reviews, Alex invited three different duos to come and stay. However, the next morning, the hotel guests didn’t hold back their words as they provided honest and brutal feedback.
One guest said of the dining space and “wedding like” white padded chairs used: “We use these [the chairs] in mental health hospitals because then people can’t throw them at you…” to which Alex pointed out: “That’s a new low!”
It was then revealed that the guests would be invited back, where they could see the changes made at the hotel and then provide a review for the hotel.
Talking about the brutal feedback, one of the owners said: “Luckily we’ve actually got each other through this because otherwise I don’t think I could have gone through that complete pounding alone.”
After gathering a £5,000 makeover budget, the team got to work modernising the dining area into a contemporary and clean space with green panelling walls, as well as stylish new furniture. The team also made some changes to the bedrooms, providing luggage racks, stylish lamps and removing unnecesary furniture.
Alex advised the duo to invite all the locals over for a ‘meet the owners’ evening, which was a roaring success and the guests who had previously stayed there loved the new features, saying they’d be happy to stay again.
At the end of the show, after Alex’s work and advice was done, the duo provided an update four weeks later. They revealed: “Hi Alex, hope you’re well…
“Just wanted to say, thank you very much for everything you and your team have done here. The locals have been raving about the changes, the food offerings, and the new decor. The vibes around the village are great!
“We’ve noticed a strong traction in repeat customers and new ones. Thank you very much for your support, hopefully see you soon!”
The Hotel Inspector continues on Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 5.