Grand Hotel

"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.

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!!

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.

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