A documentary series following three NH Hoteles properties in The Netherlands has become one of the most popular shows on Dutch television since its launch in March. Some 400,000 viewers tune in to SBS 6 five days a week to follow the day-to-day operations at Amsterdam’s NH Schiphol Airport, NH Jan Tabak and NH Barbizon Palace.

NH Chief Operating Officer Francisco Zinser stresses that “Hotel”—for which 60 half-hour episodes have been filmed and a second season already is planned—is not a reality show. There are no actors, no scripts and no manufactured drama. “Hotel” is balanced, and NH does not 
review episodes before they air. It makes for an authentic view of life in the hotel industry.

“If something goes wrong, well, things go wrong,” Zinser says. “The problem is not that things go wrong, the problem is how you avoid them happening in the future and how you resolve that issue.”

“Hotel” is too new for NH to know to what degree the show is impacting business. However, Zinser says most guests are excited to be filmed and a number of guests have indicated that they booked an NH hotel because of the show.