Tara Ariano August 8, 2014 Share August 8, 2014 A hotel in Starkville, Miss., is in dire straits due to the owners' financial difficulties. Link to comment
cooksdelight August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Finally.... a couple who want help, accept it, and embrace it. I felt so bad when the wife found out how badly the husband had been handling finances. After crying over Masterchef, it was almost too much to watch. But... I knew Gordon would change it from a sushi restaurant into a place the college crowd would want to come and hang out. All the changes made sense, especially the menu. TripAdvisor reviews are very good now, so it looks like they are hopefully going to recoup their losses and be in the black. I loved this couple, they've been through hell and back and they deserve success. And a nice place to live away from the hotel. This episode more than made up for the last one. And of course, we got to see most of Gordon naked. Every episode, it must be part of his contract. :) 8 Link to comment
candall August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 We have a local Breaking News thing happening. So I missed the episode where there were decent people involved and Gor-DON did some actual good? Go on with your bad puppy self! Next you'll be telling me the bedspread passed the blacklight test. 2 Link to comment
cooksdelight August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 @candall, imagine a sushi restuarant in a Mississippi college town. Think about it. :) He took them out to lunch to a popular place with the kids and their eyes were like golfballs. It was as if they'd never ventured out of the handicapped room with no windows they lived in at the hotel. He revamped the menu with his signature burger, fried green tomatoes, other local favorites, and a beer garden. The change was immediate and obvious, they were booking all 36 rooms for a weekend with a wedding reception for a big group. I really, really hope they continue to grow and make money. 4 Link to comment
Surrealist August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 (edited) Gordon always finds a reason to get naked. cooksdelight: I'm glad to hear that the hotel has been getting good reviews now. I genuinely want this couple to have a successful hotel. They've been through enough already. Edited August 12, 2014 by Surrealist 2 Link to comment
aliya August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Go on with your bad puppy self! Ha! Yep the Bad Boy of Cuisine made me a little misty eyed tonight (that was after I put my eyes back in their sockets from seeing him nearly nude). How nice, and how thoughtful, of him to provide new living quarters for this couple. I'm so happy that it looks like things are picking up for them. Re the hotel and college town - I went to college in a Big Ten college town. As a student, it would never have occurred to me to go to a hotel to eat. One, I had a meal plan, two, when we did eat out on dates or groups from the dorm, we went to the restaurants geared to college students. The only time people went to the hotel restaurants was when their parents came to town. Has it changed? Do students have this kind of money? 1 Link to comment
redfish August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 He took them out to lunch to a popular place with the kids and their eyes were like golfballs. It was as if they'd never ventured out of the handicapped room with no windows they lived in at the hotel. Considering they lost their home due to debt and his physical rehab and being overwhelmed managing the hotel I don't think they had the energy to venture outside their hotel. Link to comment
kikismom August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Is it just me, or have we seen 3 out of 4 hotels so far owned by a husband and wife...and it's always the husband who checks out and leaves the wife behind the 8-ball? (yes I realize that's a mixed metaphor but you know what I mean :-D) 3 Link to comment
peggy06 August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Has it changed? Do students have this kind of money? Aliya, I had the same thought. Even with the new menu, even with the beer garden, the place seemed a little too upmarket for students. They would be more likely to hang out at bars and pizza joints. But I'll be optimistic on behalf of this couple because it was nice to see an episode with sympathetic owners who weren't fighting Gordon every step of the way. And I liked his attitude toward them. I hoped he would do something about their living quarters - thought it might be a big re-do of their room, but did not expect an apartment with 6 months' rent. Now if only they could eliminate the gratuitous shots of GR in Speedos or the tub....It's not that they're gross or offensive, but they do seem a little silly. Out of place. 2 Link to comment
roctavia August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Ha! Yep the Bad Boy of Cuisine made me a little misty eyed tonight (that was after I put my eyes back in their sockets from seeing him nearly nude). How nice, and how thoughtful, of him to provide new living quarters for this couple. I'm so happy that it looks like things are picking up for them. Re the hotel and college town - I went to college in a Big Ten college town. As a student, it would never have occurred to me to go to a hotel to eat. One, I had a meal plan, two, when we did eat out on dates or groups from the dorm, we went to the restaurants geared to college students. The only time people went to the hotel restaurants was when their parents came to town. Has it changed? Do students have this kind of money? I think it depends on the marketing side of things- a beer garden with local beers (meaning the local breweries might be doing some cross promotion) would draw in the college crowd, especially if they have a grad student program, since all of those students would be old enough to drink and probably looking to get away from the typical bar scene... also in the summer, places where you can drink outside are a big draw. Somehow there is always money for beer ;) Next you'll be telling me the bedspread passed the blacklight test. We didn't get to play with the blacklight this week, but Gordon was actually sleeping in the hotel linens instead of his sleeping bag, so that must count for something :P He was so silly in that bathtub... does Gordon take a lot of bubble baths?? 4 Link to comment
LittleIggy August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I tried to go to the Hotel Chester web page right after the show, and it was so flooded with hits that I couldn't get on. This was a good episode. I loved the wife, but sushi with strawberries? Ay-yi-yi! :-) 1 Link to comment
Tabasco Cat August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 This episode more than made up for the last one. And of course, we got to see most of Gordon naked. Every episode, it must be part of his contract. :) I thought this episode made up for the last two. These owners were sympathetic people who the audience could identify with. Not some $10 million inheritance alcoholic, a bad-behavior enabline mom with stoner ex along for the ride, or a wannabe Cher impersonator who, as far as I can tell, was on the show just to pimp her sale price on the property. Gordon always finds a reason to get naked. cooksdelight: I'm glad to hear that the hotel has been getting good reviews now. I genuinely want this couple to have a successful hotel. They've been through enough already. It won't be long now before we see Gordon going full monty without a blur. Please, god, make that happen. Not because I want to see GR's junk, but because the backlash to the FCC against Fox might actually get their license pulled :) 5 Link to comment
kikismom August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 When there's a big college, the professors always have young assistants, for teaching duties and for research etc. Plus a big school will have a lot of young staff in employment for administrative and clerical and other jobs. They work weird hours and need a place to grab something to eat near the school. Those people alone could keep the restaurant and beer garden in the black, just serve the new menu and think about having a breakfast cafe--that would be a huge moneymaker off the university staffers, and a very low overhead but good profit. There's only so many mornings you can eat egg mcmuffins or vending machine danish. 3 Link to comment
LittleIggy August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I think it depends on the marketing side of things- a beer garden with local beers (meaning the local breweries might be doing some cross promotion) would draw in the college crowd, especially if they have a grad student program, since all of those students would be old enough to drink and probably looking to get away from the typical bar scene... also in the summer, places where you can drink outside are a big draw. Mississippi State is the largest university in the state, plus it's an SEC school so I can see no problem with that beer garden doing well, especially during football season. 3 Link to comment
Surrealist August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 (edited) It won't be long now before we see Gordon going full monty without a blur. Please, god, make that happen. Not because I want to see GR's junk, but because the backlash to the FCC against Fox might actually get their license pulled :) We'll get a shot of Gordon pulling up to the establishment. He'll be naked with only the seatbelt covering his junk. Edited August 12, 2014 by Surrealist 8 Link to comment
mlp August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Finally, Gordon helps nice people who deserved his help. I wish them all the best. I was about to give up on this show but now I'll give it another chance. 3 Link to comment
buttersister August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Gratuitous tub scene wasn't quite as ... I dunno, as the bare-chested Gordon stretching and scratching himself awake. Please, dude, you are not all that. 2 Link to comment
xcrayon2215x August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 It makes me laugh when they show the scenes with GORDON naked. The people this episode really deserved the help, glad GORDON was able to make things work for the best, Link to comment
walnutqueen August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 More, please. THIS is the GR I've come to know and love. Compassionate and kind - words not often used in describing him, but I've seen so many little flashes of the human beneath the persona that I have to think there's something to it. Maybe it's time for Gordon to experiment with the idea that viewers enjoy watching slightly uplifting stories of redemption and success much more if they think the recipients are in the least bit deserving and worthy of help. We might tune in to watch the awfulness of an Amy, but we'd keep coming back if we saw signs of some hope and justice in this tough world of small business every once in a while. Or, at least, I would. 8 Link to comment
Julia August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Awwwww. I was so pleased that the show acknowledged that this family was not going to be able to dig itself out without help it couldn't afford and the show paid. Wow, it's nice to see owners who genuinely did not ask for their misfortune get some help. I'm pretty sure the beer garden is going to do really well, if only because it's a place staff and faculty can go to kick back where they're not going to run into undergraduates :) 2 Link to comment
blubld43 August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Loved it, and the rooms they showed after the makeover looked great too! Even my 82 year old Mom was asking about the lack of blacklighting the bed linens this episode, lol. 1 Link to comment
Primetimer August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 It's getting deeper into the season and the network is starting to lose patience. Please see the attached notes on this episode and let's schedule a conference call as soon as we're done ruining Utopia. Read the story 1 Link to comment
Gregg247 August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I think this was my favorite episode of HH -- nice people who just need a little help, and accept it graciously. I hope the husband (a hotel turnaround specialist!) is able to get back on top of his game and really get that place moving again. It appeared his accident really aged him badly, though. 2 Link to comment
terrymct August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I was amazed that Gordon and the show paid for six months rent for the owners of this hotel. That was amazing, sweet, and one of the exact things they needed. Suki was really moved. Bravo, Gordon and colleagues. 1 Link to comment
HurricaneVal August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Students might not think about eating in a hotel, but students have parents who will visit, and they are the demographic for hotel restaurants. I think that is really the clientele this hotel will see--visiting professors, parents, alumni, working adults coming for continuing education seminars, not current students. However, turning that outside area into a beer garden complete with the new bar menu that is student friendly was genius. Way to bridge that demographic and increase revenues. Nice that they left Suki a little personal grilling station so she could still do her "thing" without disrupting the whole meal service. I didn't catch it, but did they also re-vamp the inside restaurant menu? I can't imagine they're still serving "Strawberry Fields" sushi there anymore... I hope they promoted that ombre blond server to a position of greater responsibility. She seemed to have a good sympathetic grasp of what was going on there. 1 Link to comment
OnceSane August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I thought this episode made up for the last two. IA...rich alcoholics & jammin' stoners, who needs 'em? This was refreshing. THIS is the kind of Hotel Hell I'd like to watch in future episodes. 5 Link to comment
seacliffsal August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I was also shocked and pleased that Gordon is paying the chef's salary (although he didn't say for how long). Comparing this makeover to the others so far this season, it seems like they put more into this hotel, so maybe the producers felt that they deserved it more and did more of a minimum makeover for the other places due to the idiocy of the owners. 1 Link to comment
roctavia August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 I was also shocked and pleased that Gordon is paying the chef's salary (although he didn't say for how long). Comparing this makeover to the others so far this season, it seems like they put more into this hotel, so maybe the producers felt that they deserved it more and did more of a minimum makeover for the other places due to the idiocy of the owners. Did he say for a year? Or he said until they could take over paying it themselves... either way, it was for a fair amount of time. Someone else asked up thread about the inside menu- I think it's the same as the outdoor menu.. just one new menu and the dining area extended out into the beer garden. Link to comment
Arienne August 12, 2014 Share August 12, 2014 Strawberry Fields sushi was not so odd to me but I never expected fish on it. I make a dessert sushi that is rolled with rice paper; strawberry, mango and cream cheese with honey drizzled over the top. Mmmmm I love that stuff! She just had the wrong recipe. A+ for Gor-DON on this one I really enjoyed the couple and the turn around, I hope it sticks. 1 Link to comment
QuelleC August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 (edited) I believe Gordon said he'd pay for the chef until they turned things around. I wasn't surprised at all, the place had no real chef and he's done the same thing on Kitchen Nightmares occasionally. The format of this show continues to frustrate me in that nothing is actually done until the last last 15 min. Meanwhile I heard about the car accident 3-4 times in the first half hour and it felt very manipulative and repetitive. We were supposed to believe GR wasn't told until he got there (like he didn't know that alcoholic man had a problem until he got there - yeah right). Also, I would like to see something about how the housekeeping is done at all these places. And he's awfully insistent about expanding everyone's business to outdoor settings. While that may be the right thing to do to bring in more business, in the short term expenses are going to go through the roof. It feels like everyone has been tiptoeing around Suki a LOT. I'm not convinced she's as lovable as the show would have us believe. I've been thinking about the young adult children and the daughter in particular really needs a break. I hope they get the opportunity to go to that college, if that's what they want to do. I feel like I'm getting just the right amount of Naked GR and that makes me happy. Edited August 13, 2014 by QuelleC 1 Link to comment
Jlina August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 the network is starting to lose patience. Please see the attached notes on this episode and let's schedule a conference call as soon as we're done ruining Utopia. AWWWW geee. Whilst I do agree about the tub size all this reality is just....saddening. But I gotta tell ya'....the Southern fried, pulled pork thing is bound to work over strawberrry sushi, battered deep fried sushi and whatever else there was! The Gordahn burger's gotta be the tipping point! I was yelling make hamburgers for the first 30 minutes of the show! :) I feel like I'm getting just the right amount of Naked GR and that makes me happy I really like the butt blur! But the morning scratch made him look a little...scrawny. He looks like runner to me. He was adorable in the bubbles...omg, lol. When the husband was yawning while Gordon asked him to work I was seething; and the couple's body language in the SUV was pretty far gone. I didn't think the wife seemed all that loving either - more sad tiger mother. I really wanted to see if the kid's had rooms with windows at least. I am glad they're back on the upswing! I thought the blonde should get major kuddos and a promotion for hanging in there - she seemed like almost family. Link to comment
walnutqueen August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 I really like the butt blur! But the morning scratch made him look a little...scrawny. He looks like runner to me. He was adorable in the bubbles...omg, lol. I seem to remember GR telling someone on The F Word that he'd lost a lot of weight himself. And that he was a runner. This was long ago, but I also recall someone taking the piss out of GR by calling him the sex symbol of menopausal biddies. :-) 1 Link to comment
cooksdelight August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 Gordon had a good set of love handles, from what I could see. :) 1 Link to comment
LittleIggy August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 Gordon said he would pay the chef salary for one year, then expected that the owners would be able to pick up the salary by then. 1 Link to comment
Mama No Life August 13, 2014 Share August 13, 2014 I love me some GR, and I know he's very fit, but I'd rather see him in skinny jeans and a tight tee than naked. Middle-aged is middle-aged, and I know b/c I'm middle-aged. :) I loved this ep. It was nice to see some sweet, devoted people who were happy for the help. I was also glad we escaped the semen light this week. 2 Link to comment
Scout Finch August 14, 2014 Share August 14, 2014 Gordon always finds a reason to get naked. You say that like it's a bad thing. 1 Link to comment
aliya August 14, 2014 Share August 14, 2014 I saw an interview in which GR said that Tana thought he was getting out of shape and 'suggested' he shape up. He also did an Iron Man thing out in Hawaii. I get the feeling he goes from very fit to a little softer around the edges, depending on whether he's training for something.. Strangely enough, GR actually posts (including little videos) to his own FB page. It has been really interesting, and fun, to see him with his kids like any other parent. Jack looks even more like him than he did on last year's MasterChef. 1 Link to comment
Sir RaiderDuck OMS May 20, 2015 Share May 20, 2015 (edited) Just checked their website. They seem to be doing OK and prominently mention their HH appearance, stating the main dining menu and beer garden menu were designed by "world renowned chef Gordon Ramsay;" also, the two rooms featured on the show (which were redecorated yellow and red) are labeled the "Gordon Ramsay Executive King" and "Gordon Ramsay Deluxe King", respectively. http://historichotelchester.com/website/ Edited May 20, 2015 by Sir RaiderDuck OMS Link to comment
galaxychaser December 8, 2018 Share December 8, 2018 I’m happy that the hotel is still open! I enjoy gr half naked. His bod is pretty nice. Jack is his daddy mini me. Link to comment
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