Throng

Monday 24th August 9.00pm

The fifth series of the hotel-renovation show concludes this week. In the last episode of the current run, Alex Polizzi checks in to Liz and Michael’s guesthouse in the Swiss Alps. The British couple emigrated a year ago – but their hopes of a restful retirement have been destroyed by an avalanche of work. Can the hotel inspector help keep their dream alive?

Liz and Michael Callis bought the 14-bedroom Hotel du Repos in the beautiful Swiss Alps a year ago. But despite running a successful bed and breakfast in London for ten years, the couple have an occupancy rate of just 35 per cent in high season. “I woke up this morning and thought ‘What are we really doing here?’,” Liz admits. Faced with disgruntled staff, the couple hired a new front-ofhouse team, but they are still snowed under by the amount of work required to keep the hotel going.

When Alex arrives, a look at one of the bedrooms leaves her feeling positive. “The whole room looks appealing. I like it,” she says. However, her experience at dinner is not so encouraging. Alex is not impressed by the unprofessional appearance of the staff, nor by the largely unused formal dining room. A chat with some of the local workmen also reveals they are unhappy with a recent price rise for the set menu.

Alex sits the couple down for some uncomfortable truths. “What you’re doing is employing a dog and barking yourself,” she tells them. “With short-term staff, you have to lay down the rules immediately.” Alex goes on to outline her vision for the future of the hotel. First of all, the staff must all wear uniforms. Next, the couple need to reconsider the rise in the set menu price, which is putting off the local clientele. Lastly, the unused dining room must be turned into a cosy lounge area for guests to relax. “What I would like to see is low tables and couches and not make it so formal,” she instructs.

Inspired by Alex’s suggestions, Liz and Michael call a staff meeting. Liz begins well, by attempting to introduce smart waistcoats for all the waitresses. However, at the first signs of dissent, she buckles and allows the girls to wear their own clothes. When she returns a month later, Alex is frustrated by the couple’s lack of progress. Not only have Liz and Michael failed to enforce uniforms, their attempt to turn the dining room into a lounge consists of a couple of small chairs and a tiny sofa. “I’m feeling a bit frustrated at the moment. They’re still empty and they’re still being relentlessly cheerful!” Alex rants.

The hotel inspector decides to check out the local competition – and is interested to note that nearby guesthouse the Hotel Communal offers lunch for two francs less than the Hotel du Repos. However, when Alex tries to talk some sense into the couple, Michael claims he is going to seek out an entirely new client base. “Talking to him is like trying to grasp hold of water,” Alex snaps.

Back at the hotel, Alex again tackles the issue of the lounge. She shows the couple her designs, which include low sofas and coffee tables, and a banquette for one side of the room. Michael seems excited by her ideas – but once Alex is back in the UK she receives an email from him, altering the plans. Deciding that ignoring Michael is the best policy, she arrives back at the hotel several weeks later with a van of furniture. “He can like it or lump it,” she says.

When the lounge is finally finished, even Michael is happy with the result. Alex then sets up a meeting with a representative from a winter adventure company, who is looking for hotel rooms for his clients. Though he seems happy with the guesthouse, he decides to check with his partner before making any bookings – leaving Liz and Michael with an anxious wait. In the meantime, Alex decides the pair should set up a drinks party for the local customers in order to drum up some trade.

When the day of the party arrives several weeks later, Alex is pleased to find the staff are looking and acting more professionally. Liz and Michael have also introduced a new 15-franc set menu. But have they done enough to win over the frosty locals?