Grand Hotel - The Complete First Season - DVD

Content: In 1905, young Julio (Yon González) actually just wants to visit his sister, who works as a maid in the luxurious Grand Hotel owned by Doña Teresa's (Adriana Ozores) family. But when he arrives at the hotel and learns that Cristina has disappeared, he assumes the identity of a new waiter with the help of the good-natured Andrés (Llorenc González) to find out what happened to his sister. For the young woman seems to be on to a secret surrounding the hotel, which may have cost her her life. While Julio tries to maintain his false identity on the one hand and at the same time solve the mystery of Cristina's disappearance, he gets closer and closer to the beautiful Alicia Alarcón (Amaia Salamanca), Doña Teresa's daughter. However, Alicia is already promised to Don Diego (Pedro Alonso), the new manager of the hotel. But his position was intended for Alfredo (Fele Martinez), the husband of Alicia's sister Sofia (Luz Valdenebro). The pregnant Sofia now feels left out and hopes that the birth of an heir will restore her to her rightful position in the family. But an accident threatens to end that hope for good. Another murder, a nosy investigator, manipulative maid Belén (Marta Larralde), numerous intrigues, and a grand conspiracy make it harder and harder for Julio to figure out the Grand Hotel's secret...

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander, Cantabria, Grand Hotel is fondly referred to as the Spanish version of Downton Abbey. In terms of location, sets and costumes, this comparison is entirely appropriate. But dramaturgically, the series can't hold a candle to Downton Abbey. It's too reminiscent of standard telenovelas, the characters are too clichéd and the various storylines are too drawn out to be considered sophisticated TV entertainment. Towards the end of the first season Julio keeps saying goodbye to Andrés to leave the hotel, only to return after a surprising twist. There's also a similar back-and-forth with other plotlines over and over again, which at times feels unintentionally comical.

The actors also fail to convince across the board. Especially Yon Gonzáles remains a bit colorless. Other actors, however, deliver decent to very good performances, which is why minor weaknesses in this area hardly carry any negative weight.

Even though Grand Hotel is kept rather simple dramaturgically and is stylistically more of a soap than a gripping historical drama, one thing cannot be denied to the series: an extremely high addiction factor. It only takes two, at most three episodes and you are so captivated by the secrets and intrigues surrounding the Alarcón family that you don't care how many clichés are worked off here and how contrived the whole thing is. There is so much going on in the halls of the hotel that there is no time for boredom, which is why the 45-minute episodes fly by. And since every single episode ends with a cliffhanger, of course you have to keep watching right away. And there's the addiction...

Grand Hotel isn't quite quality television, but it's simply beautiful TV fare that's exciting and extremely entertaining in its own unique way. Downton Abbey Light with lots of lies, intrigue and conspiracies in the best Dallas and Denver Clan tradition. This is a hotel fans of opulent soaps should definitely check into!

Image + Sound: The DVD's image exhibits pleasingly high sharpness and powerful coloration in most scenes. Some small details occasionally appear a little washed out, but overall a thoroughly positive overall impression for a TV production prevails. The sound, available as a stereo mix, focuses primarily on the dialogue and music, but every now and then small sound effects and ambient noises breathe a little life into the tonal proceedings. Good!

Extras: As a bonus, the DVD has only a few program tips to offer.

Conclusion: Grand Hotel is dramaturgically not as sophisticated as, for example, Downton Abbey. And also some of the actors act quite wooden. Nevertheless, the story about forbidden love, intrigue, lies and murder has an extremely high addictive potential, which is intensified by the picturesque scenery, the beautiful costumes and the cleverly built cliffhanger. For lovers of opulent soaps, this first season is a must-see. Recommended

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp