Reality TV Show Hotels: Get Up Close & Personal
From Miami to Vegas to Cancun, hotels have been the home to many a reality show. Recognizing the potential for spotlighting their properties, many hotels are jumping at the opportunity for playing host to a reality show. Just look at MTV’s The Real World Vegas, which teamed up with The Palms in 2002 to create the “Real World Suite” that STILL to this day is consistently booked.
While as a former reality show contestant, I can’t divulge any insider secrets as to where exactly I stayed on The Amazing Race (minus countless red-eye flights) I can say that it’s not like being put up in a Vegas penthouse suite or a swanky desert resort every night. If you’re looking to live it up like a reality show star (sans an Amazing Race one), these properties will give you that “15 minutes of fame” feeling—even if just for a night.
FONTAINEBLEAU, Miami (Top Chef: Season 3, Bravo, 2007). While this legendary Miami hotel had already played host to classic movie stars like Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis and Sean Connery, Fontainebleau was host to the cast of Top Chef: Season 3. Hopeful chefs relaxed between cook-offs in these ultra-modern digs of a 4-bedroom, 4,500-square foot penthouse.
Fontainebleau Miami Hotel Deals
HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE, Hawaii (My Antonio, VHI, 2009). Tall and handsome model-turned-soap opera actor, Antonio Sabato Jr., tried his hand as a reality star (and at love) on this oceanfront, palm-tree lined Hawaiian property that has also played host to Top Chef and Dog: The Bounty Hunter.
LOEWS REGENCY HOTEL NYC , New York (The Celebrity Apprentice, NBC, 2009). It might now seem like an ingenious idea to put the likes of Dennis Rodman, Jesse James and Joan Rivers and other “celebs” in charge of a NYC hotel (well, technically only 5 rooms), but for reality show entertainment? Why not!
ME BY MELIA CANCUN, Cancun (Real World Cancun, MTV, 2009). Following in the footsteps of The Palms Real World Suite success, ME Cancun designed a bi-level suite for the 22nd edition of the MTV reality show. Complete with its own website, “SuiteME” vows to let you “become the star of your own reality show” with the mandatory communal bathroom, telephone room and a bevy of themed packages—from bachelor/ette to “Re-entry into Reality” divorce to Sweet 16.
ME by Melia Cancun Hotel Deals
THE PALMS, Las Vegas (The Real World Las Vegas, MTV, 2002). The Palms designed the 28th-floor, 3,000-square foot, Real World Suite just for MTV’s long-running reality show. The super popular suite includes a communal bathroom, a pool table, a fully functioning kitchen and of course, Sin City as your backyard—only an elevator ride away.
PARKER PALM SPRINGS, Palm Springs (Welcome to the Parker, Bravo, 2007). Although short-lived (ahem, six episodes), this reality show took a different spin and provided a sneak peek into the workings of a hotel from the staff’s point of view. A voyeuristic look into the workings of this kaleidoscope-colored, chic, Jonathan Adler-designed desert oasis.
Parker Palm Springs Hotel Deals
Great pics. the hotels are stunning!
Posted by John E Biddle on September 30th, 2009.