Grand Hotel - Intrighi e passioni

"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.

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 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!

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.

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.