User reviews

Fun Spanish series, which owes quite a lot to "Downton Abbey". Great villains (almost everyone is morally dubious at some point), interesting characters and a nicely twisty plot line, with emotion, suspense and humor all mixed in. With slight reservations over to the number of people who found themselves lurking in exactly the right place at the right time and the fact that the hero never actually seemed to do any work, we really enjoyed the whole thing....until the last 5 minutes of the last episode which were (a) inexplicable (b) unexplained and (c) a real letdown. However, don't let this detract from the other 30 odd hours of entertainment. Thoroughly enjoyable and borderline addictive.

Gran Hotel has it all; gorgeous historical drama, romance, mystery, intrigue, even a serial killer. Yes, it's a bit over the top but I couldn't get enough and wish there was more. I am Spanish so speak the language but since I was born here I often needed to refer to the subtitles which was a bit annoying because I didn't want to tear my eyes away from the action. So, I understand the hesitance to watch a subtitled show but it is worth it! If you love shows like Downton Abbey or The Paradise, Watch the first episode of Gran Hotel and you will be hooked...ENJOY! P.S. This is a show made in Spain, not to be confused with "The Grand" which was a very good British variation, but not as good as "Gran Hotel".

This is one of the shows that no matter how mnay times you watch it or how many years it goes by one remembers the greatness of the show. Love every bit. Loved every element. I wish more shows were like this. A very entertaining story, and it has a unique mix of suspense, comedy, drama, and romance. This is one of all time favorite!!

OK, all of you fans of Downton Abbey, I have found an even better show: "Gran Hotel" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2006421/ It is so addictive and wonderful you forget you are reading subtitles and begin craving each new episode. Yon González is the sexy Spanish young Matt Dillon. Llorenç González is the Spanish Jake Gyllenhaal. I just love everyone in this show. The connection between the leads is palpable and I am always lost in their dilemma. This may be my favorite series ever! I get it, the Spanish win the telenovela.

I just saw the first two seasons on Netflix and am craving the third. Please say there is an ending!

Rewatched this show numerous times and it gets me every time. The setting of the show (early 1900's), the clothes, a forbidden romance and no character without a secret or two. It all fits together somehow and makes me want to watch another episode and another and another. And each episode ending with a major cliffhanger doesn't help either! The two main characters, Alicia and Julio, forbidden love is the main story of the show and the chemistry beteren them is obvious. The actors are well-casted and really convinced me of the story they're telling

Gran Hotel is an amazing TV show, that contains all the right elements in perfect balance: Mystery, drama and comedy. I have concluded watching all the episodes, and I was impressed by the fast pace of the most of the original 75-min episodes. The pilot episode can make even the most demanding viewer addicted. I had never watched a Spanish TV show, and I decided to give it a try. And I was instantly hooked, I remember my face when the first episode finished. I was amazed. The script is fantastic, the most characters on the show are unique and unforgettable, the actors that are playing them are top, the costumes are well made and the mysterious scenery is breathtaking! The direction is exactly what this series needs. As many of the viewers, I thought that Gran Hotel would be an imitation of the Downton Abbey. I'm glad I was wrong, it is one hundred times better. If you have the chance, simply watch the first episode. I guarantee that you will not move your eyes from TV!

This is one addictive show! It grabs you from the start, thanks in particular to the charismatic leads, Amaia Salamanca, who plays Alicia and Yon González, who plays Julio. The other actors are also compelling and excellent; the location, a beautiful old Spanish estate on the water, is glorious; the costumes are a delight; the scenes of old Spanish towns, with cobblestone streets and lanes lighted by torches, are wonderfully atmospheric! The plot swings from some truly touching moments to flights of operatic grandeur but it is the love story of Julio and Alicia that keeps the whole thing grounded and keeps you glued to the screen. Awesome!

Watched this on Netflix and am waiting breathlessly for them to add Season 3 so I can see the resolution of the plot!

An excellent drama, full of romance, murder, mystery and mayhem. Although some suspension of disbelief is required for some parts (eg following people and not being seen), it is well written and acted enough that it does not impact and I am truly hooked. It is compelling and one of the best things on TV at present. To say it is the Spanish Downton abbey does it a disservice, as this is so much imore with all the intrigue involved.

At present I am part-way through season 2 and I will be very sad if it ends after season 3. That said, if it were to continue it might lose something as it could be difficult to stretch the story further.

This series is full of action. The story line is full of characters, crime, murder, suspense, intrigue etc. They say that it is a "drama series" but it is actually a "soap opera".

The plot swirls around a young man who passes as a waiter at a "Grand Hotel" to investigate about the whereabouts of his missing sister. Then he finds himself collaborating with the police to catch a serial killer.

I must admit it is an engaging series. However, i gave it 5 stars out of 10 because it is too long. 66 episodes, each 45 minutes was too much for my taste. They have created a very good early 1900s setting, very good costumes, a well planned set etc. So inside of each episode there are mini "procedural stories" that are not very related to the main story. I assume they wanted to have a long run to make sure the costs of the costumes, set pays off.

Unfortunately, the series ends up with a story line that could be packed up in 24 episodes max. But they just water it to the point where it loses too much of its quality. Final verdict: it is watchable in hot summer nights when one is cooling with their lemonade / beer. But dont be so carried out by the other reviews.

Just a side note: I watched it in German over Netflix to develop my skills in that language - i believe it paid off. I quickly built vocabulary and grasped a lot of daily conversations!

This show is sooooooo addicting. The twists and turns throughout every single episode leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. The show is so riveting that you forget you're reading subtitles. And just when I thought I had every character figured out, another twist happens.

I enjoyed this series so much that I just may go back and watch it all again.

Loved watching this series. The subtitles were sometimes rather amusingly bad. The fascination for me was in the Spanish language , the characters were well-portrayed and actors did their best with script. The story line though - what a joke. It just got worse and worse, until it stretched any credulity at all. Mills and Boon on the screen. If that's what you enjoy reading then you will greatly enjoy the series. Otherwise its a good way to enjoy learning Spanish.

The forty-four reviews preceding mine have taken the air from most of what I could offer in praise of this extraordinary series. But as a producer, I've never before seen an episodic -- especially a period costume drama -- that moves at such a wonderfully ferocious pace with a superlative cast that rises to the challenge with skill and dexterity.

Executive Producers Ramón Campos and Teres Fernández-Valdés, and Bambú Producciones' directors, have redefined both a genre and the art of the arc. They have created an industry game-changer by packing each episode with an unprecedented number of plot twists that supercharge their storyline. There's an undeniable hint of telenovela here, but Gran Hotel has built on its roots to create exceptional television that's perfect for these times.

Time for TV storytellers everywhere to despierta y huele las rosas!

Just finished Grand Hotel series on Netflix - binge watching for a few weeks- stayed up to late night just to see as much possible episodes as I could and I cant get over it - will miss many characters- I just fell in love with many of them , had laugh on some humorous situation although they were supposed to be serious but the way actors were portrayed them were brilliant - I cant name just one character particularly as I love equally all of them except of bad ones on the other hand admired their acting. Its just one amazing journey of mysterious, romantic and historic story through the lives of each characters and you just cant find another series who can beat that one - personally for me the best ever I have seen - probably will watch it second time :).

This is the first foreign language series i watched and was totally hooked from the very first episode.If you thought Downton Abbey was good would you beleive if i tell you that this is way better!The series is loaded with lots of drama and mystery and is so addictive.Pity there are only three seasons.Definitely one to watch!!!

A great cast of beautiful and talented actors; gorgeous costumes; gripping story line; and a fine eye for details on the props and scenery.

I loved every minute of this series with its twists and turns; tragedy and humor. Detective Ayala had me cracking up with his dry wit and sarcasm.

Have not watched a Spanish show before and just randomly started watching first show, I believe because of the picture that goes with the title. Sounds crazy, but am I glad I did because this is probably the best modern produced show (though set in 1905) that my wife & I have watched in a while (we really liked Chuck too) ! You get use to the Subtitles. The acting, the setting, the costumes, the storylines, the people come together to create a wonderful show, with cliffhangers on most shows that make you binge watch. There will be at least 1 face slap in each show, which we have come to expect, and can be somewhat humorous. We have started into the 3rd Season and are already regretting that soon it will be over. From the servants to the owners, everybody seems to be watching everybody else and most have secrets they try to hide. It really is a thrilling show, with only a few racy scenes thus far and few obscenities (though you have to read them, since we don't understand Spanish). Take a chance! (Though we haven't gotten to the end, maybe the producers will see how popular this is and have a reunion set of shows.)

I thought it was terribly cheesy at first, but this show improves astronomically throughout its three seasons, and I am so glad I pushed through to finish it. Some of the plot twists are absolutely iconic, and the storyline just gets more and more enthralling as the show goes on. Season 1 is a sleeper but it gets better, I promise!

Out of curiosity I watched an episode on Netfilx and immediately fell in love with the series. The cinematography, acting, costume, location all was most beautifully and convincingly done. The story line is wonderful, and the sexual tension and connection between the romantic leads just draws you in. Some of the story lines carried on a bit (there are a Lot of episodes) and I felt that they sometimes took a turn that was too much out of character, It's wonderfully cast and there is a new standard for portraying simmering evil! the leading couple stayed magnetic and now can't wait for the final season 3! A beautiful period piece.

OK it's nice but not that great as the ratings say. Honestly, Downton Abbey was better. It's slow, and they leave story lines hanging. Also, the plot is disappointing with no wins for the protagonist/ "good people". So the rich always win? Meh.

But not altogether bad. The mother Don is quite intimidating.

Horribly contorted story lines that make no sense whatsoever, offered up for effect alone and arising out of nothing. Worse than a highly melodramatic afternoon soap opera. You've got to feel sorry for these actors who are slaves to the contrived and illogical twists and turns of what passes for a "plot." To a person though, they are all fine actors giving solid performances--more credit to them for being able to deliver this utter nonsense.

So don't be fooled by an auspicious first couple of episodes. The contrivances soon take over and will numb your brain like no opiate ever could. Plot threads vanish off into the night, never to be seen again. All the mysteriousness gets held together by actors playing what have to be the most unobservant and moronic characters to have ever roamed the earth. Time sequences skip around butter on a hot skillet. Things happen, then suddenly it's the day before.

Do not get your sleeve caught in this. You'll be very sorry you did.

"Gran Hotel" is a Spanish series that has everything: sumptuous production values, engrossing story, and eye candy. It also has Spanish subtitles - after 42 episodes, I can practically speak Spanish like a native.

The story concerns a fancy hotel, which is the first to have electric lights -- we open on New Year's 1905, when there is a huge party that introduces the lights. Also, one of the maids is murdered. Very soon, her handsome brother appears, incognito, and takes a job in the hotel, determined to find out what happened to her.

He becomes involved in the machinations of this highly dysfunctional family, full of murder, blackmail, infidelity, power struggles, illegitimate children, betrayal, treachery, family secrets, reversal of fortunes -- in short, everything you need for a top soapy drama.

The acting is fantastic. Top honors go to Adriana Ozores as the manipulative Dona Teresa, matriarch of the family; Concha Velasco, as staff head (and much more) Angela; Llorenç González as her son, Andres; and Pedro Alonso as the ruthless Diego. Many others -

I could not find the name of the police detective in the cast list, but he was wonderful. No one hits a bad note. The love interests, Amaia Salamanca and Yon Gonzalez, are gorgeous. She looks like Michelle Pfeiffer and he's a dreamboat. Salamanca is an excellent actress; I think Gonzalez is not as good, but then again, their roles are not as showy as others.

I only saw what is available on Netflix, but I understand there is a third season. I look forward to seeing it. Once you're involved with the Alarcon family, it's hard to break away.