Our Experience on The Hotel Inspector: A Journey to Boost Midweek Trade

Behind the Scenes of Filming

On 24th July 2025, we appeared on the popular TV show, The Hotel Inspector. Our aim for this show was to help us bring in more midweek trade during our low season. As many business owners know, seaside towns rely heavily on seasonal trade. It is essential to maximise earnings during the busy summer months. However, hard economic times and poor weather can significantly impact how well—or poorly—our season goes.

Here is an insight into what went on during the filming of the show. We had a couple of days of filming before Alex arrived. During this time, we filmed various inside and outside shots, conducted interviews, and captured anything else that didn’t require Alex’s presence. The film crew were fantastic and very friendly, making the experience enjoyable for all of us. Then, we had two days of filming with Alex.

Preparing for the Show

Even before filming began, we had various meetings. One meeting was with a business advisor who reviewed our financials to gain a clear understanding of our situation. We also met with a counsellor to ensure we were mentally prepared for appearing on TV. This was reassuring and demonstrated that the production team had a genuine duty of care towards us.

Our first encounter with Alex was quite unplanned. We expected to greet her as she arrived, but we were busy with preparations when she walked through the front door, helping the crew. I was caught by surprise and simply said, "Oh, hello!" I quickly called Tracy over to meet her. We stood and chatted for a while before diving into the filming.

A Genuine Connection

One thing we will say is that Alex is incredibly lovely, both on and off camera. She engaged with us about our business and shared general conversations, making her feel approachable and relatable. We found her to be down-to-earth and genuine, with a great sense of humour.

As you see on the show, Alex really gets stuck in and helps out. Even off camera, if there were tasks to be done or items to be moved, she was right there assisting us. The filming days were quite full-on. While I was being filmed doing one thing, Tracy was being interviewed elsewhere. We also experienced surprise visits from various groups. Having watched the show for years, we knew there would usually be something unexpected on the second visit, but we had no idea what or when it would happen. The first surprise visit came from a group of walk-ins, and we had no warning! We were busy chatting when there was a ring at the door, and Alex smiled, saying she had a surprise for us.

The Filming Experience

As with all filming, there were many takes for the same conversation, often having to stop for traffic noise. We didn’t mind, as it meant more time to chat with Alex. It’s true what they say: after a while, you don’t notice the cameras. At the end of the day, when the film crew left, it felt strange. The atmosphere shifted from chaotic to quiet in seconds. It was a bit like the midnight game show with Michael McIntyre; we were left wondering, "What just happened here?"

On Alex’s return trip, it was just as hectic. We had more surprise visits from a birthday group, a mixologist, and a contractor accommodation firm. However, we took everything in our stride and did what was asked of us. The good thing was that in between takes, we were always talking with the experts and Alex, soaking up as much advice as we could.

Valuable Insights and Future Plans

Alex praised us for what we had accomplished with the property and how we managed it. She acknowledged our efforts to increase occupancy, which made it challenging for her to suggest new ideas. Ultimately, focusing on groups, exclusive hire, and contractor accommodation seemed to be the best way forward to boost our midweek occupancy.

Like the TV show The Great British Bake Off, where a Paul Hollywood handshake signifies approval, Alex has her own way of showing she likes you. If she gives you her contact details, you know you’ve made a good impression. Guess who got her details? We did!

After the show aired, Alex called us to see how we felt about the experience. She also asked us to keep in touch. We plan to visit her at her hotel in Sussex once she finishes filming.

Reflecting on the Experience

Appearing on the show, meeting Alex, and working with her production team has been one of the best experiences we have had since taking over the guest house in December 2020. Would we do it again? Yes, we absolutely would!

In conclusion, our time on The Hotel Inspector was not just about the filming. It was an opportunity for growth, learning, and building connections. We look forward to implementing the advice we received and seeing how it positively impacts our business in the future.