The Hotel

Revealing life in The Damson Dene, a typical three-star British holiday hotel nestling in the five-star setting of the Lake District. In the first episode Dan and Liz, a happy young couple from Essex, check in for a quiet break. What Liz doesn't know is that Dan has brought her here to ask for her hand in marriage. He thinks he's found the perfect spot to pop the question - the bridge over the duck pond.

Tom and Susanna arrive at Damson Dene a couple of weeks before their wedding to make sure everything is in place. Susanna is five-and-a-half-months pregnant and Tom's grandmother has been very ill, so there is no time to lose. Even though he lives alone in a caravan with his dog, Fly, Hotel Manager Wayne is a bit of a romantic. So he loves to put on the perfect wedding in one of the three civil ceremony rooms.

It's the school holidays and the Damson Dene hotel is full to bursting with families and their young children. From reception to the gardens, from the bedrooms to the hallways and even under tables in the dining room, kids are everywhere, pushing the staff to the limits. Even manager Wayne, who normally loves the family atmosphere at the hotel, admits that if he were going on holiday he'd choose a child-free hotel.

Checking in to the Damson Dene are Richard and Rebecca from Manchester, who have two young babies and haven't spent a night on their own for 14 months. Richard's just turned 30, and when Rebecca asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he said "a night's sleep". Also visiting the Damson Dene are Simon, an engineer for the Royal Navy, and his Brazilian girlfriend Vanusa, whom he met while on a naval posting overseas.

The Damson Dene comes under attack from guests complaining about everything from the décor to the food and the housekeeping, pushing manager Wayne and his staff to the brink. First to check in are mother and daughter Margaret and Sasha, who love value for money, making a point of seeking out bargain breaks. They've come to the Lake District to take advantage of the Damson Dene's £50-a-night bed, breakfast and dinner deal.

Mysterious forces are at work at the Damson Dene when one of the hotel's showers appears inexplicably occupied baffling staff and guests alike. Local psychic Amanda is looking for a function room. Intrigued, head receptionist Yvonne turns up to find out more. Meanwhile, checking in to the Hotel are the Bells - an Evangelical Christian couple who've come away for a relaxing weekend of walking and prayer.