Grand Hotel - Intrighi e passioni

"Gran Hotel" is a Spanish series that has everything: sumptuous production values, engrossing story, and eye candy. It also has Spanish subtitles - after 42 episodes, I can practically speak Spanish like a native.

The story concerns a fancy hotel, which is the first to have electric lights -- we open on New Year's 1905, when there is a huge party that introduces the lights. Also, one of the maids is murdered. Very soon, her handsome brother appears, incognito, and takes a job in the hotel, determined to find out what happened to her.

He becomes involved in the machinations of this highly dysfunctional family, full of murder, blackmail, infidelity, power struggles, illegitimate children, betrayal, treachery, family secrets, reversal of fortunes -- in short, everything you need for a top soapy drama.

The acting is fantastic. Top honors go to Adriana Ozores as the manipulative Dona Teresa, matriarch of the family; Concha Velasco, as staff head (and much more) Angela; Llorenç González as her son, Andres; and Pedro Alonso as the ruthless Diego. Many others - I could not find the name of the police detective in the cast list, but he was wonderful. No one hits a bad note. The love interests, Amaia Salamanca and Yon Gonzalez, are gorgeous. She looks like Michelle Pfeiffer and he's a dreamboat. Salamanca is an excellent actress; I think Gonzalez is not as good, but then again, their roles are not as showy as others.

I only saw what is available on Netflix, but I understand there is a third season. I look forward to seeing it. Once you're involved with the Alarcon family, it's hard to break away.