15 Reasons to Reserve a Room at the ‘Grand Hotel’

15 Reasons to Reserve a Room at the ‘Grand Hotel’ (continued)

9. Team Yoli

Justina Adorno as Yoli is an absolute star.

Even though she is a supporting character who doesn’t even appear on the original Spanish series, Yoli has substantial screen time on the new Grand Hotel. 

Some of us, cough-cough-me-cough-cough, were very skeptical based on how Yoli is introduced on the series. As a slightly thicker than average actress (and thinner than average woman), our eyebrows raised at comments about her size and beauty. 

But, that skepticism turned out to be unfounded.

Yoli is a wonderful, interesting, and grounded character who is never relegated to the fringes of the story.  She has some of the show’s best one-liners and she consistently provides the eye-rolling comic relief we need. And, she is never just a foil to an ingenue. 

She is the darkest Latinx actress on the show and that makes her centrality on Grand Hotel even more praise-worthy. We are forever #TeamYoli. 

10. Hot Topics

Grand Hotel is not shy. It boldly goes after topics that are stigmatizing and often glossed over on soapy shows. Not only does it go after vital issues like mental health disorders, death by suicide, miscarriage, addiction, sex-trafficking, and workers’ rights, it does so with sensitivity.

First of all, the characters actually discuss these issues. We don’t have to just rely on tears, sex, or other actions to show the impact. We get dialogue!

Second, the language characters use in these discussions reflects a sensitive and inclusive approach. It is clear the writers and producers have taken time to do their homework. Their hard work pays off and the season definitely earns an A. 

The show is not edgy and that’s actually a good thing. There is room for edgy takes and more out-there presentations of the issues. Grand Hotel has a reverence for people’s pain that is really, really nice to watch. Right now, our world needs a bit less cynicism and a bit more sincerity. 

The brave and earnest way Grand Hotel tackles tough topics is another season to binge the season ASAP. 

11. Complex Villains

The Big Bad on summer shows can often be one-note and bland. Grand Hotel graces viewers with baddies that we start to hate but then grow to have much more complicated feelings for. 

There is one Big Bad on the series who is unequivocally evil. Even that character’s unadulterated crappiness allows us to see the nuance in some of the other so-called bad guys.

When we watch a mystery drama, we don’t just want to be surprised. We want to be STIRRED. 

Grand Hotel manages to stir us up by crafting layered and puzzling villains who fail to be categorized in a good/bad binary. 

Reason 11 to watch Grand Hotel is so you can soak in the grey area.  

12. Javi and Ingrid

At the beginning of Grand Hotel, we are fully ready to loathe Ingrid. Her counterpart on Gran Hotel is just awful and doesn’t find a glimpse of redemption until several seasons in, if at all. 

But, Ingrid is a Belén of a different color. She quickly becomes one of the most relatable and fascinating characters on the show. Her initial connection with Javi isn’t necessarily instantly sexually charged, but it is electric.  

The actors’ chemistry pulls you in, and the similarities between how the characters have been misperceived keep us hooked. 

These two have mastered the art of the smolder. You don’t want to waste any more time not getting in on the Javi and Ingrid banter. Watch Grand Hotel now!

13. Topless Talent

This reason to book a room with Grand Hotel doesn’t need much explanation. The lads on the show are, without exception, super hot. We get the pleasure of seeing FOUR of these leading men showing off their physique. 

Super serious Mateo actually has the best shirts-off moment of the season. We could watch him box all day. Just saying.

It’s not gratuitous. The topless takes make sense narratively! But, to be honest, we wouldn’t mind too much if there were useless chest hair scenes thrown in too. 

Grab a six-pack and enjoy the six-packs on Grand Hotel!

14. Jaw-Dropping Mysteries

Full disclosure, we have already seen the entirety of Gran Hotel. We expected, therefore, to be impervious to Grand Hotel‘s mysteries. We already know the big reveals, right?!

Wrong! The new take on the concept in the original is different enough to get us completely off track. The answers to the season’s mysteries are a complete surprise and we get full enjoyment in learning the shocking truths. 

The big murder mystery that starts the whole show, Sky’s disappearance, is resolved in a way that is more satisfying and more left-field than expected. That mystery is only one of many that are solved in Season 1.

The mystery of how Javi lost his leg is a compelling and tender journey of loss and redemption. It is artfully placed in the season without creating big waves to interrupt the other core conflicts. 

Grand Hotel promises a twist-filled adventure and it delivers in spades. 

15. The Riveria Family

The Mendoza family is essential to the story’s premise. However, the most important family bond on Grand Hotel is the found work-family at the Riveria Grand Hotel. 

The characters are all connected thanks to the beachfront resort. Their fates, their follies, their futures are wrapped up in those of the other workers and owners. True, some of the bonds are romantic. But many aren’t. 

The many instances we see where people put aside their pride and self-interest to be a good friend or nurturer to another Rivera Grand family member are as essential to the character of the show as the ships. We root for everyone who is loyal to the place because it is has built a legacy of family. 

Workplace families are common for comedies, but Grand Hotel gives us a workplace drama where we feel solidarity and affection for the whole place. That’s a rare thing and it is not to be missed out on. 

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So what are you waiting for!? Enjoy all these 15 reasons to reserve room on your TV screen for Grand Hotel. 

Grand Hotel Season 1 is available on ABC-GO. After you watch, tell us what you think in the comments! What reasons did we miss? What are your favorite parts of the sizzling summer series? 

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Lincoln Younes Previews ‘Grand Hotel’ at the ATX Television Festival [Video]