Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA – 11 December 2013 – As host of Travel Channel’s popular series “Hotel Impossible,” “hotel fixer” Anthony Melchiorri is relentless when it comes to getting struggling hotels all over the world back on their feet and on the path to success. His no-nonsense approach may put some owners off, but his advice can transform even the most down-and-out properties. Yet it’s ultimately up to the hotel owners to implement and maintain his changes. On “Hotel Impossible Undercover,” a series of six half-hour specials premiering Monday, January 6 at 10:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. ET/PT with back-to-back episodes, Melchiorri returns to check up on six properties he previously overhauled on past seasons of “Hotel Impossible.” Following the run of specials, a compelling new fourth season of “Hotel Impossible” premieres on Monday, January 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. With thirteen hour-long episodes, Melchiorri’s management skills, emotions and patience are put to the test once again.
“Each hotel presents its own set of challenges – whether it’s strong personalities, conflicting goals or just plain physical neglect of the hotel. For me, it can be emotionally exhausting to become so deeply invested in all of these properties, with only a short window of time to help them,” said Melchiorri. “However, I’m addicted to the excitement of pushing through these obstacles and leaving the owners with a newfound sense of hope and confidence for their future.”
Melchiorri makes himself available to clients long after the cameras leave…but what really happens when he packs up and checks out? Did the hotel owners heed his advice? Did renovations continue or fall to the wayside? Have reviews and profits improved, or did the hotel return to its previous state? In each half-hour episode of “Hotel Impossible Undercover,” Melchiorri visits hotels from seasons past, sending in a team of undercover investigators from Coyle Hospitality prior to his visit. Pretending to be guests, they are armed with the latest technology in hidden cameras to record secret footage so Melchiorri can see how business is really going. In the premiere, airing on Monday, January 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, Melchiorri checks back in to Alaska’s Glacier Bear Lodge. After reviewing findings from the undercover operation, he confronts the general manager about a few shocking discoveries – including dirty rooms and poor food service. In the second episode airing at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, Melchiorri returns to California’s Hotel Leger where he discovers poor housekeeping practices and even more surprising – new owners! Featured properties Melchiorri returns to in “Hotel Impossible Undercover” include Casa Verde (Puerto Rico), Holbrooke Hotel (Sacramento, CA), Ocean Manor (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Triangle T Ranch (Dragoon, AZ).
After the final special airs, an all-new season of “Hotel Impossible” begins on Monday, January 27 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The premiere episode brings Melchiorri back to Alaska to help save the Alaskan Hotel & Bar, which is celebrating its 100th year. The hotel is the oldest, continually-operated hotel in the state. After forty years, the hotel’s current owner, Bettye, is ready to hand over managerial duties to her son, despite how they often feud over management styles. Years of cosmetic neglect have left the property and guest rooms in less-than-desirable conditions; and the hotel’s security systems are dangerously lacking…both bears and humans have snuck into the property! The rowdy bar – the hotel’s biggest moneymaker – is still a draw for the local crowd. But an uncooperative, belligerent bar manager is less-than-thrilled to see Melchiorri and the TV crew arrive, and is insistent that his services are neither needed nor welcome. Melchiorri brings in designer Blanche Garcia to help with much-needed renovations, along with a respected bar consultant to pinpoint the bar’s major areas for improvement. When resistance from the bar manager stalls the proper course of change, a face-off ensues. Additional locations featured in the fourth season of “Hotel Impossible” include Estes Park, CO; Hollywood, CA; Homestead, FL; Islamorada, FL (Florida Keys); Las Vegas, NV; Myrtle Beach, SC; New Brunswick, Canada; St. John, USVI and more.
“Hotel Impossible” is produced by Atlas Media Corp. for Travel Channel. For Atlas, executive producers are Bruce David Klein, Lorri Leighton and Rob Green. Anthony Melchiorri is a co-executive producer. For Travel Channel, the executive producer is Brian Leonard.