Ep 1. Crash Course in Daytona

Hotel Impossible is a show that follows hotel consultant Anthony Melchiorri as he helps struggling hotels in need of a makeover to become more successful. In season 5 episode 1, titled "Crash Course in Daytona," Anthony travels to Daytona, Florida to try and fix a hotel that has been stuck in a rut for years.

The hotel in question is the Sun Viking Lodge, which was originally built in the 1970s. However, over the years the hotel has lost its charm and has become outdated, causing a decline in guests. Despite being a family-run business, the hotel has been at the verge of bankruptcy multiple times. Anthony takes a look at the hotel's issues to help turn things around.

Upon arrival, Anthony is greeted by the Sun Viking Lodge's owner, Gary Brown, and his daughter, Renee. They show him around the hotel, and it is immediately obvious that the building needs a lot of work. Anthony also discovers that the hotel has a very low occupancy rate, with only a few rooms being rented out even in peak season.

Anthony sits down with Gary and Renee to get a better understanding of what's going on at the Sun Viking Lodge and what needs to be done to improve things. He learns that Gary is very attached to the hotel and has been doing everything in his power to try and keep it afloat, but has been struggling to attract new guests. Renee believes that the hotel needs new amenities and activities to attract families and younger guests.

Anthony begins his assessment of the hotel and quickly realizes that the main issue is its outdated appearance. The decor is old and uninviting, and the rooms are in desperate need of a makeover. He talks to the staff and discovers that customer service is another area that needs to be addressed. The staff members are not properly trained and are not providing guests with the service they expect.

The hotel also has a number of facilities that are not being utilized, such as a game room, a fitness center, and a pool. Anthony decides that the hotel needs to revamp these facilities in order to attract families and younger guests. He believes that creating a fun and inviting atmosphere will help make the hotel more attractive to guests.

Anthony knows that the Sun Viking Lodge needs a lot of work, but he is determined to turn things around. He sets to work transforming the hotel, starting with the rooms. He brings in a team of designers to help update the decor and make the rooms more comfortable and inviting. He also creates a new customer service training program for the staff to ensure that they are providing guests with the best possible service.

To help attract families and younger guests, Anthony creates a new activity center for the hotel. He installs new games, such as air hockey and foosball, and sets up a movie screen for movie nights. He also creates a new fitness center and upgrades the pool area.

After several weeks of renovations and training, the hotel is finally ready to reopen. Anthony invites a group of potential guests to come and stay at the hotel to test out the new facilities. The guests are impressed with the changes and enjoy their stay at the Sun Viking Lodge.

Overall, "Crash Course in Daytona" is a great episode of Hotel Impossible that shows how Anthony Melchiorri can turn a struggling hotel into a success. The episode is engaging and informative, and it's great to see the transformation that the hotel undergoes. This episode is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone interested in hotel management and hospitality.