In this insightful and entertaining programme, Monica and Giles travel to South America to work in Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira - a unique hotel near Pucon, the adventure capital of Chile and gateway to the Andes and the country's Lake District. Nestled within a 23-hectare native park along the shores of Liucura River, the hotel overlooks an active volcano which regularly spews ash and lava.\n\nMonica and Giles meet Swiss hotel owners Claudia and Michael Paravicini, who left behind big jobs in finance and sales in Europe to pursue their dream of setting up a luxury adventure-themed hotel. They discover the delicate balance of working with the indigenous Mapuche community who own the land surrounding the hotel. With just 12 villas and six rooms, Vira Vira is a small boutique hotel that is big on luxury and adventure. Giles and Monica work alongside Greg to prepare a once-in-a-lifetime meal for hotel guests. In the hotel's helicopter they fly above the volcano to a location with a stunning view to set up and serve a special meal. The pair work alongside esteemed horseman Rodolfo, who takes them trekking through ancient Chilean forests on horseback. They meet chef Damian, who embraces the freedom offered by the hotel's organic farm and abundance of local Chilean produce. Damian uses skills acquired from years at the famous French Le Gavroche to transform dishes like Chilean sweet potatoes, crispy quinoa, green tomatoes and their own lamb into world-class recipes. The hotel has its own working farm on site, lovingly producing milk, yoghurt and all manner of dairy products to enhance the dining experience. Giles discovers that the farm is proud of its homemade Longaniza sausages, concocted using a secret recipe. And as a Swiss man, the prospect of a life without cheese was unbearable for Michael, who has gone as far as building a cheese factory next to the hotel that makes over 15 different types of cheeses entirely for Vira Vira guests to both enjoy and participate in making.
Source: BBC 2
Series 5: 5. Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
At Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder join forces with the hotel staff to learn how to deliver a luxury safari experience. The hotel is o ...
25-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 4. Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka
Monica and Rob travel to the highlands of central Sri Lanka to learn about Ceylon Tea Trails - a series of colonial era bungalows that have been renovated and revisioned by a lo ...
18-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 3. Nusfjord Arctic Resort
Nusfjord Arctic Resort is a preserved 200-year-old cod fishing village in the Lofoten Islands of Norway. Working alongside the dedicated team, Monica and Rob learn to appreciate ...
11-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 2. Joali Maldives
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder travel by seaplane to a paradise island in the Indian Ocean. Joali Maldives offers guests a luxury experience despite its remote location, but just ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: Kasbah Tamadot
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder travel to Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. With Sir Richard Branson as their boss, they discover how genuine Berber hospitality an ...
28-03-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 8. Hotel Hubertus, Italian Alps
In the Tyrol region of northern Italy lies Hotel Hubertus - a family-run resort which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains thanks to its panoramic aspect.\n\nTh ...
31-12-2023
BBC 2
Series 5: 7. Glenapp Castle, Scotland
In Scotland, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder discover Glenapp Castle, where guests are treated to a magical stay made possible by a dedicated team of local staff. \n\nMonica and R ...
12-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 5: 6. Borgo Egnazia, Italy
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder visit Italy to go behind the scenes of Borgo Egnazia - a hotel modelled on Puglia’s historical local villages. They work with the local staff ...
03-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Hacienda Vira Vira, Chile
In this insightful and entertaining programme, Monica and Giles travel to South America to work in Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira - a unique hotel near Pucon, the adventure capital of ...
10-07-2023
BBC 2
Series 4: 5. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Giles Coren and Monica Galetti visit Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, an extraordinary hotel built where people usually struggle to survive - deep in a Middle East desert.\n\nSurrou ...
11-06-2023
BBC 2
Series 5: 5. Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
At Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder join forces with the hotel staff to learn how to deliver a luxury safari experience. The hotel is o ...
25-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: 2. Joali Maldives
Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder travel by seaplane to a paradise island in the Indian Ocean. Joali Maldives offers guests a luxury experience despite its remote location, but just ...
04-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 1. The Brando, French Polynesia
In the first episode of this entertaining and insightful series, Giles and Monica fly to the other side of the world to work in one of the world's most luxurious eco resorts on ...
06-04-2021
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Ashford Castle, Ireland
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren hop across to Ireland to scale the imposing and ancient ramparts of Ashford Castle. Set in 350 acres, it was founded 800 years ago by the Anglo-No ...
09-03-2021
BBC 2
Series 5: 8. Hotel Hubertus, Italian Alps
In the Tyrol region of northern Italy lies Hotel Hubertus - a family-run resort which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains thanks to its panoramic aspect.\n\nTh ...
31-12-2023
BBC 2
Series 4: 6. The Lanesborough, London
Monica Galetti and Giles Coren visit London's most expensive and exclusive hotel, the Lanesborough. It's the first time the hotel has allowed anyone behind the scenes.\n\nThe ho ...
06-11-2022
BBC 2
Series 3: 1. Mgm Cotai, Macau
Monica and Giles travel to the self-governing Chinese city of Macau, which is the gambling capital of the world, welcoming millions of Chinese visitors every year. \n\nJoining t ...
22-03-2021
BBC 2
Shorts: 1. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
In the first episode of this eye-opening series, Giles Coren and Monica Galetti join the 9,500-strong workforce in one of the world's biggest hotels - Singapore's Marina Bay San ...
16-06-2021
BBC 2