Hotel Inspector visits the Astor in Plymouth for TV show tonight
MILLIONS of eyes will be fixed on a Plymouth hotel tonight as it gets a visit from the Gordon Ramsay of hotel critics.
Strict Alex Polizzi, aka TV's The Hotel Inspector, spent four months filming at the prominent three-star venue earlier this year.
The results will be aired on Channel Five from 9pm, the opening episode in series six of the popular show.
The Hotel Inspector, which regularly attracts more than two million viewers, features industry expert Alex on her quest to transform some of Britain's most desperate hotels.
But Astor Hotel boss Joseph Louei, who has run the Elliot Street hotel for nine years, says he signed up solely to promote Plymouth.
"I've put my neck on the line for this city because I really believe in it," he said.
"When we filmed it we made it into a celebration for local guesthouses.
"This hotel is all mine from top to bottom so there is no shame in asking someone else for ideas.
"Nobody is perfect and nobody has ever told me to do anything different until now.
"But we can use this to promote Plymouth.
"It's not just about the Astor Hotel, it's telling people the city is here and waiting for them.
"I haven't seen the programme yet but everyone keeps asking me about it.
"I'm looking forward to watching it at the same time as everyone else."
Hard-line presenter Alex, who also manages the plush Hotel Endsleigh in Milton Abbot, near Tavistock, became a good friend during filming, Joseph added.
But it is understood the pair do have some fiery on-camera exchanges as the ruthless presenter struggles to drive home her points over the balance books, online reviews and eccentric interior design.
The programme culminates with a party for local business figures, featuring the City of Plymouth Pipe Band.
Eagle-eyed viewers may catch a glimpse of celebrity chefs the Tanner brothers, Plymouth Argyle deputy chairman Paul Stapleton, council leader Vivien Pengelly and historian and Herald columnist Chris Robinson among the guests.
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by close friend of happy staff, customers and partner, not the astor anymore. yippeeeeeeeee
Friday, July 23 2010, 2:03AM
“fellow business owner and Concerned Citizen and Scotlass and Plymgirl and kelly you All Right.
and to say something nice about him yes he is nice person but only when he'll got something of it, like he'll shave his head for charities but they will put that in the paper that Mr louie did it the 'Owner' of The Astor (2 yrs ago! It just won't grow back!). anyway i wonder how he is an owner when he has been bankrupt a couple of times the chamber of commerce member. That says a lot about chamber of commerce. And sorry if I've said the truth. Not.”
by Steve, Plymouth
Friday, July 23 2010, 12:46AM
“Oh, and the reason why the site is down is simply because the traffic would have exceeded it's quota for the month; if this happens the host automatically blocks the site to relieve the server. They should have pre-empted this was going to happen.
So get off your stupid high horses and leave the man alone! Idiots!”
by Steve, Plymouth
Friday, July 23 2010, 12:43AM
“There's nothing much wrong with Joseph, treat him nicely and he'll do the same to you. He's a business man.
I know who you are Kelly and the reason you were kicked out of there is because you were useless. Just look at your words - "promised the world" - what exactly does that mean?
Give the man credit where it's due. He has an ego, he wants to be a celebrity, and he likes to be the boss. He's friendly enough, although rude when drunk, but he always has a smile for the right people. If he doesn't like you, it's probably because you've p****d him off.
Nuff said!”
by BanjoBryan, Ivybridge, Near Plymouth, Devon
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:57PM
“I have just watched this evening's (Thursday, 22 July) programme of the Hotel Inspector, Astor Hotel, Plymouth.
Thought it might be interesting to look at the website of the Astor Hotel.
It seems that the web site has been 'taken down' ¿ short notice on computer screen includes the words 'Forbidden Access' ¿ need I say more?”
by Bryan Wenham-Baker, Ivybridge, Near Plymouth, Devon
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:52PM
“Have just watched the Hotel Inspector programme about the Astor Hotel, Plymouth. And have tried to access the hotel's website. It has been 'taken down'. Short notice on computer screen included words 'Forbidden Access;”
by Mick, Barbican
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:36PM
“The fact that any hotel owner has to call in the Inspector is a bad sign because it means he doesn't know how to put things right himself.
If I ran a hotel hell would freeze before I called anybody in, after all running a hotel is not rocket science..;)”
by Sarah and Martyn, Plymouth
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:26PM
“We got married in April 2006. My Mum died the day before we got married and Joseph and his team bent over backwards to help out. The day was a happy/sad event but Joseph was there every step of the way. Even offering us a chance to postpone without losing any money. We can't thank him enough.”
by janice griffiths, wales
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:14PM
“well i just watched hotel inspector and the improvements to the hotel were wonderful and joseph seemed ok give him a 2nd chance and hope he succedes (spellings crap) !! wish you all the best for the future”
by janice griffiths, wales
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:12PM
“well i have just watched hotel inspector and was well immpressed by the changes to the hotel he seemed a nice man who needed help and he got it give him a chance i will visit this year ans see what i think .”
by kelly, plymouth
Thursday, July 22 2010, 8:40PM
“Joseph is not all he makes out to be, in fact he is not a very nice man at all! I worked for him when i was 16 and very niave, he promised the earth and never delivered, he is a deliberatly nasty man and many people would do well to steer clear!”