Hotel Showdown Travel Channel
Hotel Showdown is a winner-take-all television competition show seen on the Travel Channel. Four hotels go head-to-head for a $25,000 prize winning. The hoteliers will spend a night in one another’s establishments with an exacting eye for detail, awarding points for their stays. This episode first aired on February 3 at 9 pm EST and will be shown again on February 4 at 12 pm.
The contestants and their New York properties were:
1) Leslie at the Seton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan
2) Monique at Akwaaba Mansion in the Bedside area of Brooklyn
3) Jeremy at Sanctuary Hotel in Time Square
4) Lisa at Hotel Z NYC in Queens
I like that this show features the opinions of other hoteliers versus having 4 random guests rate their experience at each of the locations.
The Seton Hotel is in an amazing location being so close to Grand Central Station and near everything in Manhattan. The rooms were warm, comfortable, and clean. Monique forgot her phone charger and was impressed that they had one available for her to use. However, she found the small blue room she stayed in to be a polarizing color and recommended a more neutral color. Jeremy was disappointed that there was no food on site or an exercise facility. Lisa could hear people in the hallway at night. However, overall, everyone enjoyed their stay.
Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn incorporates African American culture in a Victorian setting. Monique decorated every inch of this historic mansion built in 1860. Its wood floors have been restored and it features ornate fireplaces. With only four rooms, Monique seems to do it all from making breakfast to offering tea and pastries in the afternoon. Jeremy was impressed by her hospitality, but pointed out that he would not want to wake her up in the middle of the night if he needed something while his hotel has someone on call any time day or night. There are many restaurants, shops, and art galleries nearby. All enjoyed Monique’s wonderful accommodations. She paid attention to the details.
Jeremy’s Sanctuary Hotel in Time Square blends Far Eastern and European together. It is very tranquil and outside noises do not enter the lobby. The hotel offers 111 rooms and has a rooftop lounge and two restaurants. They are a full-service property. A couple contestants disliked that the shower doors were completely see through. Leslie suggested they have a directory for their guests. Being in the city, the rooms were on the small side but they are in a great location.
Lisa’s Hotel Z NYC in Queens opened in 2011. The hotel is industrial style with a jazzy theme. Lisa said they treat their guests like rock stars. They offer complimentary transportation to the hotel. Every contestant mentioned the gorgeous views. Jeremy was impressed with the Z logo being on the towels, but pointed out that the “do not disturb” signs showed pictures that he took. He was a good sport about it and said that he knows that Lisa will make sure to fix that. While the rooms were clean, they were on the small side. Hotel Z NYC is an up and coming area.
The contestants were to rank their competition in three categories:
1) Accommodations
2) Amenities
3) Hospitality
With the points tabulated…(insert dramatic drum roll here)…the bed and breakfast won! I think Monique’s attention to detail and love for what she does was evident to her guests. She said that she will put the $25,000 to good use and re-invest it into her property.
