Release Date | 2024-06-07 |
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Runtime | 23 minutes |
Genres | Reality |
Stars | |
Directors |
Four pairs of B&B owners from across Britain take it in turns as hosts to decide which of their establishments provides the best value for money.
The new series starts at the De-Lovely in Blackpool, where couple Stevie and Leigh offer the perfect marriage of 'burlesque and bacon'.
Second to host is Rowena Moore from The Sandhurst Hotel in Cheshire, where guests step back in time to the Edwardian era. But John and Debbie think the avocado bathroom dates from the 70s.
Latest to host is Julie-Anne Barrow, who runs the no-frills Red Box Guest House from her family home in Chippenham. As Julie-Anne predicts, the shared bathroom causes a stink.
The last to host are John and Debbie Fox from Friary Wood near Bath, who are hoping to impress with their luxurious home, spacious en-suite rooms, and an afternoon course in making cocktails.
The B&B owners meet for one last time to air their grievances, answer their critics and finally discover what they've been paid. There will be tears, recriminations and a dramatic walkout.
This week the competitions moves to France where four sets of Brits compete for best value B&B. First to host is Lisanne Ashton who runs the rustic rural Les Chimeres. Lisanne is l'amour with all things French, and as soon as the guests check in they're taken on a traditional truffle hunt.
The second host in France is eccentric royalist Tony Horton and his Armenian wife Shou Shou, who provide an unusual mix of vinegar tasting and royal regalia at Le Manoir in the Dordogne.
Wine-loving Shaun Baggs and partner Patrick Weaver who run Le Clos Rabelais in central France, take their guests to a traditional French dance class. There are high kicks and low blows as George and wife Linda become increasingly frustrated with Francophile Lisanne.
It's the turn of proud Brit George McGill and his wife Linda to offer the guests 'a little slice of England' at the Moulin de la Civiere in Brittany. All the rooms are furnished with mod cons along with George's prize Victorian potties, which one guest cheekily uses during the night.
It's judgement day in France and the group meet for the final time to settle some scores and find out what they've been paid. There's more locking of horns, resentment and recriminations, but a cash-filled envelope will reveal who is awarded the best value B&B of the week.
The latest battle of the B&Bs starts at Fountain's Court Holistic Health Hotel in Scarborough, where Helen Marriott offers guests a chance to 'step off the planet'. Her guests are treated to essential breathing lessons, a chance to really get to know each other in the hot tub, and a foot massage that gets in touch with their souls.
The battle of the B&Bs continues as Sue Perkins opens her doors to her B&B that's also a pub. The guests enjoy an afternoon of ice hockey. But over dinner there's much debate as to what Sue's `can't-be-arsed breakfast' might amount to.
The third to host is Khurram Saba, owner of the Saba hotel in London, where his guests are expecting big city chic, exotic food, and definitely not fish and chips for dinner. Sue and Gill sneak out for a night on the tiles. Next morning Candida's on the warpath about her sleepless night, and there's confusion about the breakfast.
It's the final visit of the contest, hosted by Candida Leaver and Peter Starling of The Bower Inn, Bridgewater - where the group activity is willow weaving. At dinner time the guests reveal what they think of their no-nonsense host, while breakfast brings spooky tales from holistic Helen.
It's payment day, where the B&B owners get together for the last time to air their grievances, challenge their critics and discover what they've been paid. Tears, recriminations and raised voices feature in a turbulent end to an unpredictable week.
This time the competition is in Spain, as four sets of British ex-pats battle for the title of best value B&B. At Vista Del Torcal in the Andalucian Mountains, twentysomethings Ben Eyre and Anna Chalu welcome their guests, who are impressed by their rooms. But some are less enthusiastic about an afternoon of rock climbing - with beach lover Julia Grant, from Benidorm, pulling out before she's even made it to base camp.
Jed and Mandy Filmer are the second to host at their hotel on the Costa Tropicale. Mandy organises a cookery class for the group, only for guest Martyn Watson to reveal that he is a qualified chef. Dinner is an extravagant affair with champagne and a six-course menu, but the night's real showstopper is a revelation from guest Julia Grant.
Julia Grant's level of cleanliness as host at The Queens Hotel in Benidorm doesn't impress the guests, but their stay ends on a high note after everyone participates in the nightly drag revue. However despite a successful ending, some of the guest feedback leaves Julia fuming.
The final hosts of the week are Alastair Smith and Martyn Watson, owners of gay-friendly and clothing optional Almond Tree Villa near Lorca. Luckily for some, it's olive picking, not skinny dipping, on the agenda for the day's activity, but while the setting is picturesque, tensions over low scoring threaten to boil over.
With quite a lot of resentment, the B&B owners have their final chance to question their critics, find out what they've been paid and who has won.
This latest competition opens in Suffolk, where hosts Tim and Jules Anderson offer guests a 21st century party in a 17th century building. Following a lesson in fish filleting, where vegetarian Gordon proves to be the handiest with a fish knife, Tim and Jules follow lay on a knees-up and karaoke, although guests Gordon and Blossom prefer an early night.
Poetry and erotic art are all part of the fun of this stay in Harwich at Gordon and Blossom Hoyles' B&B.
On the third night of the competition young Welshman Ryan Davies has to cope with an unwelcome crisis at his five star B&B in south Wales. He still manages to impress, particularly with his spread of land and own selection of wines - but with Gordon and Blossom on a fault-finding mission, Ryan isn't pleased with his feedback.
After touring a paint factory and clashing over previous feedback, guests at Neil and Tracy's Whitehall Hotel in Lancashire end their stay in stony silence over breakfast.
Conflict continues as the competitors meet for the last time to confront their critics and find out what they've been paid. Who will walk away with the prize?
Mother and son Lorraine and Spencer Birtwistle are first to host this time at their guest house near the Peak District. And things get off to a racing start with some Scalextrix. Spencer's enthusiasm is initially viewed as that of 'a big kid', until he overindulges on the wine at dinner.
With their set of themed rooms Will and Lynn Howarth are sure they have something for everyone at their pool and spa hotel in the Lake District. However, Spencer and Lorraine aren't happy that there are no twin rooms available. It looks like an afternoon of water aerobics manages to relieve the tension until the hosts receive their feedback and suspect 'a bit of game-playing'.
Paul and Jeanette Smith's traditional Orme Court Hotel in Llandudno causes a set of mixed reviews as a string of 'petty' criticisms upset the hosts.
An afternoon of falconry and a seven-course taster menu impress the guests at Anthony and Peta Lloyd's accomodation in Oxfordshire. But final feedback is mixed.
An eventful week ends with tears and recriminations as the four sets of B&B owners find out what they've been paid and who won the week's competition.
Husband and wife Tony and Chris Fulbrook offer their guests a home from home at the Sea Verge Hotel in Paignton on the English Riviera. However, the guests are far from happy; while Andy compares the guesthouse to his grandma's, Christine complains about the wind noise off the sea, and scolds Chris for serving up breakfast in her slippers.
Things get off to a rocky start for mother and daughter Christine and Jenna Hale, who run The Portcullis Hotel in Chipping Sodbury, when the guests are horrified to discover the pub restaurant does karaoke until 2am - which they are not only expected to participate in, but keeps them awake until the small hours. And things go from bad to worse when some art and craft caricatures prove first impressions are not always positive.
It's all Balinese, boasting and boxing in this episode as the guests arrive at the Orchid Hotel in Bournemouth, run by entrepreneur Andy Scott. Tensions run high when Christine and Jenna find foreign objects in their beds, and Richard ends up in a fist-fight with Andy in the boxing gym. A spot of flirting doesn't last long when Andy receives some negative feedback.
Husband and wife Richard and Kelly Bailey are the proud owners of the five-star Orles Barn in Ross-on-Wye. On arrival, even picky Christine can't find fault with the beauty and quality of the rooms, and the high spirits continue into the afternoon when the guests visit an organic local supplier to pick their own dinner - asparagus. Will a night of fine dining, restful slumber and posh breakfast win Richard and Kelly the prize?
It's decision day - and four proud B&B owners have some scores to settle before one is crowned this week's winner. While Chris and Tony Fullbrook from Sea Verge Hotel are scorned by Tony for wearing slippers at breakfast, Jenna and Christine from the Portcullis Hotel are left reeling after Jenna's hosting skills are called into question. After receiving high scores all round, have Kelly and Richard from Orles Barn pulled it off - or will their pricey rooms cost them the win?
First to open up this time is the musically-themed Harmony B&B in Torquay, where Dutch couple Hans MacDaniel and Monica Van Der Meij hope to wow their guests on the 'English Riviera'. What will guests Jenny and Richard Harmer, Bev and Caroline, and Emily and Leslie Gray make of a group session of wheelchair badminton, saxophones at breakfast and a controversial sausage?
Flying the flag on day two are Norfolk couple Jenny and Richard Harmer, from Chimneys B&B in North Walsham. Every room at Chimneys is named after a royal palace and has patriotic decor. But not everyone's impressed, as Dutch couple Hans and Monika find the use of a flag as a tablecloth disrespectful. Tensions are put aside for an afternoon of canoeing, but the subject of the flag returns over dinner, leading to further conflict during breakfast in the morning.
Essex girls Bev and Caroline entertain guests at their suitably blingy Wordsworth B&B in Cockermouth, Cumbria. There's a spa visit on the itinerary and 'up for anything' Dutchman Hans MacDaniel is quick to volunteer for a spray tan. But builder Richard Harmer is less comfortable with his surroundings as he finds himself on the massage table. The hosts have arranged a refined dinner at a nearby bistro, but Jenny gets hot under the collar during a debate about room temperature, much to the bemusement of Geordies Emily and Leslie.
It's the last B&B visit of the week, and Geordie mother and daughter Leslie and Emily Gray play hosts at the Park Farm Guest House. Their rooms are contemporary, and despite some eagle-eyed scrutiny, everyone is impressed. The afternoon treat features a ride on a Segway. At dinner, tensions simmer between Jenny and Essex sisters Bev and Caroline, and as the conversation blunders into the dangerous territory of the North/ South divide, the sparks really fly.
The B&Bers come together for one last time to find out what they've been paid and confront their critics head on. While Hans is keen to dispel the suggestion that his premium sausages are not up to scratch, Jenny accuses him of trying to assassinate her business by calling it 'dirty'. Tension runs high, but who will be crowned best value B&B of the week?
The competition starts in North Yorkshire where bosom buddies Julie Janes and Yvonne Quinsey hope to win over their guests with their African-themed B&B. But whilst things start sweetly with an African flavoured cupcake class, disastrous dinner discussions and a botch-job breakfast leave the guests with a sour taste.
Wendy Johnson and John Shields are the proud owners of the American diner-themed Pack Horse B&B in Lincolnshire. The guests enjoy an afternoon of horse riding, followed by a not-so-enjoyable 'man verses food' challenge over dinner, which leads to rising tensions between certain members of the group.
At the traditional Glenwalden B&B in Blackpool, hosts Steve Reed and German wife Sigrid surprise their guests with some pink flock wallpaper, knitted toilet rolls and a spot of ballroom dancing. But there are suspicions of tactical behaviour and accusations of back-stabbing...
B&B guru Nick Lawler and business partner Kate Wilson run the 5-star Winder Hall Country House B&B in the Lake District. Expectations are high, but when Nick offers his guests a crash course on how to run a B&B, his guests are far from impressed.
It's the moment of truth for the B&B owners as they squabble about stolen milk, dusty bathrooms and dirty toilet brushes - and find out who will win best value B&B.
The competition kicks off at Borrowby Mill, near Thirsk, where ex-military man Mike runs a regimented residence alongside wife Amanda Daly. On arrival, the guests are impressed with the spotless standards, but partners Del Cain and Roy Williamson uncover a dirty glass. Mike and Amanda give the guests their marching orders with an army-style activity, and the next morning, Mary and Nelson Haerr are impressed with the 'proper' English breakfast. The guests check out with positive feedback, but Mike and Amanda are irked by Del and Roy's comments on cleanliness, saying 'we're out for you now'.
Second to host are Del Cain and Roy Williamson, hoping to impress with their budget city centre hotel The Richmond House Hotel in Edinburgh. On arrival, the guests are surprised, having expected a bit more 'razzle dazzle'. Mike and Amanda Daly declare that they are 'appalled' by the hotel's standards and decide to check out - refusing to stay the night in their room. The hosts try to sweeten their guests with an afternoon making luxury chocolates, followed by dinner in the hotel's onsite Thai restaurant. It looks like things could be on the up after Mike and Amanda agree to join everyone for dinner. However, in the morning, Mike and Amanda refuse to return to the hotel for breakfast, declaring 'If the room's not up to standard, the breakfast won't be either'. The feedback forms leave Del and Roy seeing red, having discovered more criticism than compliments, including Mike and Amanda saying that they wouldn't stay again. To which Del responds, 'Good...never darken my doorstep again'.
Mary Haerr and her American husband Nelson welcome their guests to The Meadowsweet Hotel in Llanrwst, North Wales, where most of the guests are bowled over by their rooms. Mike and Amanda Daly, however, uncover a stain on their mattress and summon Mary, whose rapid response impresses. That afternoon, the hosts give their guests a taste of real Wales, by taking them sheep herding. But while they try to rustle sheep, tensions simmer when Irene berates Amanda about her refusal to stay at Del and Roy's on the last visit. The next morning, when Amanda moans about a bad night's sleep, tensions boil over, erupting into a row at breakfast. Thankfully for the hosts, despite the atmosphere, their Welsh breakfast hits the right note.
It's the final visit of the competition, and Irene Ward-Kendall's Wold View House in Lincolnshire provides a homely welcome for most, but for Amanda and Mike Daly, it is not up to their usual military high standards. After coming to blows with Irene during their last stay, they are on a fault-finding mission and are immediately unimpressed. Irene tries to wow her guests with a trip to the Lincolnshire Wold Railway, and as the group ride through the countryside on a steam train, everyone's in high spirits until Irene makes a joke at Amanda's expense. Over a home-cooked dinner, Irene's unique presentation of the food divides opinions, prompting Amanda to declare she 'Wouldn't even feed it to her dog'. At the feedback, Irene is left fuming by Mike and Amanda's comments, saying 'They need to get a life.'.
It's decision day, and the group meet for the final time to find out what they've been paid and to settle any scores. Mike and Amanda Daly, who run Borrowby Mill, want to know how their military precision could have resulted in anything less than perfect scores. Del Cain and Roy Williamson from The Richmond House Hotel finally get to confront Mike and Amanda about refusing to stay their hotel, and when Nelson and Mary Haerr, owners of The Meadowsweet Hotel, go through their feedback, Mary ends up in tears. Finally, Irene Ward-Kendall from Wold View House challenges Mike and Amanda about their comments that she is OTT, which leads to another heated exchange before the cash-filled envelopes are opened to reveal who is the week's winner.
Kicking off the competition is Langland Road in the Mumbles, where couple David Lewis and Giles Beaton take a modern approach to running their B&B. But not all the guests, like Ruth and Margaret Dugdall, can figure out what the high tech offerings are, and traditionalists Gordon and Sandra McCallum are more concerned by cobwebs and dust. Young bucks Edward Prophet and Rachel Pickup, despite being initially terrified, are in their element during the afternoon's session of tree-walking at Go Ape. When Gordon doesn't stay for the afternoon, the snub is noted. And when he refuses to eat breakfast, earns himself the nickname GG, meaning Grumpy Gordon. The feedback nearly leaves the hosts speechless.
For 24 years, Margaret Dugdall has run Castle Lodge Hotel in Felixstowe to exacting standards. To spice things up for her guests, Margaret and her daughter Ruth have left a clue to Ruth's secret identity as a modern-day Agatha Christie in the bedrooms. But ex-magician Ed Prophet dismisses the gesture as 'the most self-indulgent thing' he's ever seen, and he's not taken with the 'nursing home' décor either. Ed's on a mission to make 'grumpy' Gordon smile, and during a trip to groom some Suffolk Punch horses, plays some pranks that seem to do the trick. At breakfast, previous hosts David and Giles are left steaming when Ed decides to play waiter, and Margaret's unimpressed by suggestions to replace her wallpaper.
Third hosts are self-confessed odd couple Gordon and Sandra McCallum, owners of Bryn Woodlands House in Colwyn Bay. Their new best mates Ed and Rachel are impressed with their digs, but mother and daughter Margaret and Ruth Dugdall find the decor leaves something to be desired. Gordon takes the group harness racing, and horse-fearing Ed worries about getting poo on his face, and then later discovers a snake in his bed. At breakfast, the guests overhear a stressed Gordon and Sandy getting heated in the kitchen, but it's Giles' problem with a bottle of ketchup that makes Gordon see red at feedback, declaring, 'where do these lads comes from?'.
The final B&B of the week is the Tollemache Arms in Cheshire, where 24-year-old all-round performer Edward Prophet, and fiancé Rachel Pickup, like to add some showbiz razzmatazz. Ed's scene stealing turns have already left some of the group dreading what's in store. But Ed and Rachel pull out all the stops to charm their guests, and over dinner, veteran B&B owner Margaret even gets emotional as the young hosts make her feel nostalgic. In the morning, there are great expectations for Ed's breakfast, but it turns into a comedy of errors as he loses control of his hob, ruins a dozen poached eggs and sets fire to his towel. 'It's not rocket science' says Giles, and a scrambled Ed is left hugging Rachel for comfort as the guests consider their verdict.
It's judgement day for the B&B owners as they discover who will be crowned this week's best value establishment. David and Giles, owners of Langland Road, are shocked by a particular payment, arousing suspicions of game playing. Ruth and Margaret from Castle Lodge are dismayed at having to defend their newly appointed wallpaper and deeply shocked when it comes to their payments. Gordon and Sandra from Bryn Woodlands House have to face up to their kitchen French, and Sandra is reduced to tears after counting their cash, while Ed and Rachel are left stewing over their new friendship. As tensions run high, it falls to final hosts Ed and Rachel to reveal this week's winner.
Hosts Sharon Brown and Norrie Ramsay offer guests a 'home from home' at their Ramsay's B&B in Edinburgh, and after an afternoon of haggis stuffing, the group sit down to enjoy their creations. But it's not the food that causes discomfort, it's one of the guests. Self-confessed 'ranter' Julian causes a showdown, shocking everyone else and particularly the youngest member of the group, Darren Bell, who is stunned that a man of Julian's age lacks 'manners'. Breakfast becomes something of a peace treaty as Julian makes his apologies, but the hosts aren't placated when they read their feedback, accusing their guest of 'sticking the knife in wherever he can'.
Second to host are entrepreneur Tony Callaghan and his operations manager Lisa Langton in Wigan with their 'boutique rooms' at Fifteens of Swinley. After the previous tensions, Tony claims to have 'worked a miracle' as the guests scrum down with the Wigan Warriors rugby team. Gentle Gillian Peck delights the crowd when she flattens her husband Julian. Dinner is an opportunity for Tony to show off more of his empire at Little Fifteens. But things start to go less smoothly as Gillian, in a combative mood, tackles Tony about his lack of input into the everyday running of his B&B, and breakfast in a paper bag doesn't do it for the group the next morning. At feedback time, Tony identifies some 'snakes in the grass'.
Darren Bell and Katherine Taylor canvas for the competition at Lincoln Yurts, taking their guests glamping. With communal bathrooms and no electricity, a back-to-basics stay gets a mixed reception from excitement to creepy crawly discoveries. In the afternoon, the group head into the warmth for some go-karting. But competitive driving and bumpy tactics have Tony and Lisa reminding themselves of their suspicions about fellow guests Sharon and Norrie. At dinner, it's far from sing songs around the camp fire as Julian raises some objections about the in-room marketing material, provoking tension at the table and tempers from the hosts. Fortunately, the yurts cool most of the guests down, although in the morning it appears Tony may have entertained some furry friends. But while they may be returning guests, will anyone else choose to stay again?
The final visit in this competition is to The Fieldhead Hotel in Cornwall where owners Julian and Gill Peck pride themselves on their attention to detail and 'five star service'. The guests have particularly high expectations after listening to Julian share his values with the group all week. But room inspections tell a different story as guests discover toothpaste on the walls, mucky plugs and stained loos. The afternoon brings more foraging - this time for seaweed. And Tony's not delighted to be paired with Sharon who he thinks is a 'snake'. At dinner, the outspoken host gets a taste of his own medicine when Tony lets Julian know that 'we can criticise too'. And when Kath makes it personal, the real damage is done. An early morning speech from the hostess makes for an awkward start to breakfast, and for some, the cooked option doesn't do much to improve things.
Sharon Brown and Norrie Ramsay of Ramsay's B&B kick-off the feedback session by challenging the sniffy feedback from the owners of The Fieldhead Hotel. Then, Fifteens of Swinley owner Tony Callaghan confronts Sharon and Norrie, who he accuses of being 'venomous snakes in the grass'. Darren Bell goes for the jugular when Julian Peck challenges the heating of his yurts, and there are tears at the table when it all gets too personal. It's a stormy finish to a dramatic week.