Renowned hotelier Alex Polizzi has been confirmed to front Five's new-look Hotel Inspector when the series returns later this year.
Alex, who is the daughter of Olga Polizzi, granddaughter of Lord Forte and niece of Sir Rocco Forte, has all the industry experience and authority needed to turn flagging hotels into profitable ventures. She trained at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, worked for Marco Pierre White at the Criterion, and has done stints at Rocco Forte hotels in Cardiff, Rome, St Petersburg, as well as assisting at her mother's hotel, Tresanton in Cornwall.
Polizzi’s mission will remain the same for this well-established format - to cast fresh and expert eyes on a number of hotels and bring them up to the impeccably high standards of hotels in which she trained and which are synonymous with the Forte name.
Alex will bring a practical intelligence and fiery Italian temperament to bear on every level of the hotel trade, from five star boutique hotels that have lost their way, to seaside B&B’s that are being abandoned by holidaymakers wanting more for their money.
With her straight-talking and practical advice, Polizzi hopes to turn them into successful and profitable ventures and use the experience gained through her current role as proprietor of the Hotel Endsleigh in Devon (recently voted the best rural hotel in the UK) to advise these ailing businesses. From staffing to menus and from décor to hygiene, Alex will leave no stone unturned in her desire for improvement.
Alex Polizzi said: “Too many people go into the hotel business thinking it’s going to be an easy option but it is the toughest job to get right, and make money. For me, great service should start with the first smile you get when you check in – and that costs nothing.”
Five’s Head of Features, Alex Menzies, said: “Alex is tantamount to royalty in the hotel industry. She has authority, charisma, passion, wit and energy and is perfect to rejuvenate and develop the Hotel Inspector brand.”
The Hotel Inspector is series produced by Twofour's Andy Batten-Foster and the Executive Producer is Melanie Leach.
