Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby Rob Rinder and Monica Galetti share some of the heart warming stories behind series 6

Published: 28 August 2024

Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby Season 6 finds Rob Rinder and Monica Galetti exploring 7 more wonders of the hotel world!

In this brand-new series of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder, and chef Monica Galetti have incredible access to roll up their sleeves to work behind the scenes in more of the most extraordinary hotels around the globe - from the mountains of Bhutan and rainforests of Malaysia to historic streets of Rome.

Building on their experiences at previous hotels, Rob and Monica work alongside the talented staff, from owners and senior staff to those usually less celebrated, to discover what it takes to offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences - all in awe-inspiring locations. They venture far beyond the lobby into places that the public don't usually see and uncover the meticulous level of detail needed to pull off impeccable service, whilst learning about the world cultures, personal stories and vision that is fascinatingly different in each property.

This Series includes the widest variety and most eclectic mix of hotels the show has ever featured across its 6 seasons, with yet more incredible access. Whilst it celebrates the best of what it finds in each location, Rob and Monica are not afraid to ask questions that reveal the decisions and visions that guests take for granted and question them where necessary - from design to environmental footprint.

As they work, Rob and Monica get to know the people who staff these hotels and uncover the inspirational, poignant, and heart-warming stories of the communities around them.

JE

Series locations

Little known outside of China, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is one of the most architecturally unique hotels on the planet. Built from the ground-level 15 stories downwards, deep into a previously abandoned quarry, this hotel has turned an environmental eyesore into an utterly unique resort brimming with surprise and enchantment, from rooms with aquariums for windows, to nightly vast light and drone shows.

In Turkey, Rob and Monica discover some of the world's oldest hotel rooms - built within 2000-year-old caves, at the hotel Argos in Cappadocia. Taking 30 years to sensitively restore and bring in line with current expectations of luxury, the resort both celebrates the past, while also modernising and bringing ancient dwellings into the future, creating some of the most extraordinary hotel rooms on the planet. Here a forgotten ancient world has been made modern with an extraordinary level of luxury and finesse.

Ibiza is the clubbing capital of Europe. But there's another side to the island. Invited to work behind the scenes with the teams at Six Senses Ibiza, one of the islands biggest and newest (and most expensive) hotels gives Rob and Monica a new appreciation of how a big brand chain hotel can offer guests something of the mysticism and spirituality that thousands of years of visitors to White Island have sought.

In the heart of historic Rome, Rob and Monica discover one of Europe's most celebrated "Grand Dame' hotels, The Hassler. Unusually this is still in the ownership of the family who created it 3 generations ago, and who have hosted some of the world's most well-known celebrities. Last year, the much-loved General Manager and owner, Mr Roberto E Wirth passed away, and it's a time of change for this hotel as his twin children take over his role and ask Monica and Rob to help the staff in every aspect of its running.

Deep in the rainforests of Malaysia, Rob and Monica visit the world renowned Datai Langkawi, a groundbreaking 30-year-old hotel that has been welcoming guests to spend time amongst monkeys and birds in this rare and precious ecosystem. By enquiring about the hotel's possible effects on local ecology, they discover a team who has reduced the hotels footprint to astonishingly low levels.

Few tourists get to visit the remote valleys of Bhutan's Himalayas. Here Rob and Monica discover the 12-room Gangtey Lodge which invites guests to become part of the local community and to experience the life of the neighbouring Buddhist Monasteries. They get to know the largely self-trained local Bhutanese staff, helping with traditional hot stone baths, archery sessions and breakfasts in unlikely locations.

Summer in the stunning Austrian Mountains finds, Rob and Monica going to work work at Stanglwirt Hotel, incredibly they discover a family who has looked after guests here for 400 years. They describe themselves as farmers at their core, yet have grown a hotel that both has world class sports facilities, some of the purest spa water - and yes, they also work on a 400-year-old organic farm where Monica mucks out the Lipizzaner horses and Rob tackles yodelling.

Interview with Rob Rinder

This is your second series, how did it feel returning to working at the hotels this time round?

It was amazing - it's a limitless gift to see what makes amazing hotels worthy of that title. This series, I built on all of the insight and experience from the first series, and I have taken it beyond the lobby for the second series which has been fascinating.

What would be the standout moments for you from this season?

There are too many to mention. From tours of 15th Century Chapels only available to guests of the hotel, to snowshoeing through the Arctic Tundra, to joining in a corporate group dance in Shanghai. The buffet of strange, unusual and fascinating experiences are limitless.

What elements make for a fascinating hotel for you?

The perfect combination of bespoke luxury. These elements together are unique and can only be found on that one tiny part of our shared planet wherever the fascinating hotel may be.

Have there been any major surprises, moving moments you have experienced?

All the encounters with staff, many of whom have invested every aspect of their entire lives into hospitality. The connections between the owners and the people who work within the hotels is often deeply moving. It's those connections with them and the guests that is so special, and it's exactly why I love making this show.

When you step into a role at the various Amazing Hotels what do you take away from the experience?

Empathy and a shared and deep understanding of the level of connoisseurship, talent, commitment, passion and even love that goes into this work that for many would go unnoticed in a hotel of that calibre, but ultimately, that's what goes into making a hotel amazing.

What can audiences learn from these establishments?

Hotels are little microcosms, or little mini examples of the best hospitality, which includes the best cooking, organisation, sustainability, healthy living. These are all elements (just a few) that go into creating these magnificent shared spaces. So, whether you're fascinated by great food, or interiors, or the history of art, or how we make large businesses more sustainable in our current climate crisis, all of that can be learnt beyond the lobby.

You visit some spectacular locations, have you discovered any unexpected parts of the world you like?

One of the many reasons why I love this job is I'm endlessly curious and open minded, so I never go to a place weighed down by expectation and try not to pre-judge a place as a way of being pleasantly delighted, but never surprised. I didn't quite realise how much I would enjoy the muscle to keep a hotel open in minus 50-degree conditions - but you'll have to wait to see that one.

Have you met anybody working at the hotels who has inspired you or you have learnt something from?

So many - all in surprising departments of each hotel. From people who have worked their way up to general manager and all the plate spinning and countless jobs that involves; in ways that are surprising and we often take for granted, to those starting out and working in housekeeping; the greatest gift of the show is to learn from every single encounter you come across.

Have you met anybody working at the hotels with unexpected job roles or talents?

Wow - I mean, I don't know where to start. Put it this way - one hotel had windows that looked out into aquariums - feeding fish was a job I wasn't expecting, but you'll have to watch the show for that!

Interview with Monica Galetti

This is your 6th season, how would you describe the set of hotels in this series?

I believe this series we have been lucky to be able to discover a very diverse range of hotels - from genius engineering to ones with over 300 years of family history, that still continue to flourish.

What was your personal highlight from this series?

Visiting Turkey for me has been on my list for a while so to do this and end up in an air balloon was magical.

What elements make for a fascinating hotel for you?

Many things, from the design to the location, the team that run it, its history to its unique offerings.

Which hotels have been the most surprising or interesting to you this series?

I've filmed in over 40 hotels around the world (you can watch them all on iPlayer!) so too many to name! But ones that really stand out for me besides great amenities like gym and restaurants are the ones with great team connections too!

What do you take away from the experience at the various hotels?

Hospitality is my world so there's always the appreciation for what it takes to provide high end quality service - with a smile and professional attitudes.

What culinary delights can you remember from the different locations you have visited?

China was fabulous trying the local street food and cooking traditional ancient recipes.

Turkey also was a brilliant experience with some local dishes served at the hotel.

Have you met anybody working at the hotels who has inspired you or you have learnt something from?

Meeting the family at the Stanglwirt Hotel, in Austria and finding one of the daughters not only ran HR she was also in charge of the horse stables.

Have you met anybody working at the hotels with unexpected job roles or talents?

In Ibiza at the Six Senses Hotel, there was a recording studio with a music producer and DJ.