"The Fortune Hotel," a new ITV1 reality television series, aired its first episode on Monday, 13 May 2024. Set in a luxurious Caribbean hotel, this game show merges elements of popular TV shows "The Traitors," "The White Lotus," and "Deal or No Deal." In "The Fortune Hotel," ten pairs of British contestants compete for a prize of £250,000 by navigating a game involving a briefcase full of cash amidst deceit and strategic gameplay.
Contestants arrive at a resort in Grenada, each pair given a silver briefcase; however, only one contains the prize money, and another has an "Early Checkout" card, leading to immediate elimination for the holder at the end of each episode. Over the course of the show, cases are swapped in strategic moves, heightening the intrigue and tension among players. Episodes reach their climax in "The Lady Luck Bar," where decisions to swap or retain briefcases are made.
Stephen Mangan hosts the show, donning an array of vibrant Hawaiian shirts and assuming the role of the charismatic "hotel manager." Despite its ambitious setup and nightly airing in hopes of drawing a large audience, early feedback suggests "The Fortune Hotel" has not quite captured the public’s imagination to the extent of its inspiration, "The Traitors."
The show features a diverse cast of couples ranging from friends and siblings to spouses, contributing to dynamic and unpredictable interactions. While "The Fortune Hotel" employs familiar reality show motifs, such as luxurious settings and tension-building challenges, its reception is still evolving as the series progresses.