Gran Hotel (2011-2013)

I found it quite variable in level: then again very strong and fascinating and a little later again long-winded and a bit bland. It does indeed start quite promising, but after a few episodes you get the impression that it just doesn't want to get going. The series is actually completely saved by the beautiful location and some (edge) characters. Andrés was my favorite, but Inspector Ayala is nice too. Main characters such as Julio, Alicia, Teresa and Diego are not bad in themselves, but are a bit too obvious. The biggest downside, however, is that Julio can go about his business without any problems in a hotel where the staff is usually closely watched; something that doesn't exactly help credibility. The balance between humor, (love) drama and crime sometimes works, but more than once the focus seems a bit off.

A series that goes quite from left to right in almost every way. I thought for a moment to stop, but almost every episode ends with a good cliffhanger, which makes me keep watching. In any case, the end of this season is well put together and it seems that the level is now going up.

3*

Translated from Dutch · View original

The grandeza of the Belle Époque is represented by the costumes and the interiors. Chandeliers, balustrades, jewels, long skirts, lace and corsets determine the image. It is about a luxury hotel in the fictional town of Cantaloa in 1906. The filming took place mainly in Cantabria.

In a class society, there was a clear boundary between the propertied and the working class. However, the boundary between the Alarcón family and the staff is crossed with the forbidden love between Alicia and Julio. Doña Teresa, who rules with an iron fist, has another partner in mind for her daughter. Diego, however, turns out to be an unscrupulous manipulator.

Much is shown from the experiences of the staff. Doña Ángela is the cement that holds everything together. Her son Andrés, with his hair neatly combed back, becomes an ally of Julio, but is driven crazy by Belén. Inspector Ayala shows similarities with Hercule Poirot. The Spanish actors, not so well known to us, play their roles brilliantly.

Don't expect a realistic story, but sensational developments with romantic, family and financial conflicts. Kidnappings, memory loss, false identities, family secrets and changing fortunes are the order of the day. Those thought dead turn out to be alive. Despite certain exaggerations and clichés, it is an excellent opportunity to discover a Spanish-language series.

Translated from Dutch · View original

For now the first series that I stopped halfway through a season; something I don't often do. It wasn't a conscious decision I made after watching a particular episode either, but I just found myself forgetting about the series and not watching it for weeks (and eventually months).

Season 1 was already of varying level, but there was still some tension and it ended with a good cliffhanger. It's a shame that that cliffhanger is completely destroyed after two episodes of this second season and almost everything is back to the way it was before the cliffhanger. The annoyances from the previous season soon return and this time even worse: characters keep spinning around each other forever (Julio and Alicia), not all storylines are equally interesting (e.g. Javier getting into trouble non-stop or that thing with the babies) and the credibility is again far too much. searching, with the still agonizing low that Julio can supposedly play the amateur spy undisturbed in a hotel where social control is the order of the day.

The locations are beautiful and the acting of most of the cast is fine, but the mystery at stake really no longer interests me. In my opinion there is too little momentum in the series and it does indeed feel like a dragging soap opera. I was promised to get well soon, but unfortunately I won't be able to wait any longer for that.

2*

Translated from Dutch · View original