Instant Hotel
Instant Hotel is an Australian reality competition series in which teams of homeowners transform their properties into short-term rental accommodations, known as "instant hotels," and compete by staying overnight in each other's establishments, rating them on criteria such as design, hospitality, amenities, and overall experience to crown the best.[1][2] The series premiered on the Seven Network in 2017 and concluded after two seasons in 2019, later becoming available as a Netflix original with international streaming.[2][3] In the competition, participating couples or teams rotate hosting duties across various Australian locations, where guests provide scores that determine progression, eliminations, and the ultimate winner, who in the second season received a cash prize of A$100,000.[1][4] Hosted by Australian actor Luke Jacobz for the first season and British interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for the second, the show features property expert Juliet Ashworth and, in the second season, host Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as judges, offering professional critiques alongside competitor feedback to guide the evaluations.[5][6][7]Premise and Format
Core Concept
Instant Hotel is an Australian reality television series in which participating homeowners transform their properties into short-stay accommodations resembling boutique hotels, competing to create the most appealing guest experience.[1] The core premise revolves around teams of owners who travel across Australia to stay overnight in each other's "instant hotels," evaluating them based on firsthand experiences to determine superior hospitality offerings.[8] This mutual assessment highlights the challenges and nuances of the short-term rental market, providing insights into design, service, and guest satisfaction within the hospitality industry.[9] The competitive element centers on participants rating rival properties on key criteria such as house design and cleanliness, location and nearby attractions, quality of sleep, and overall value for money, with scores influencing advancement in the competition.[10] Low-performing teams face elimination, fostering intense rivalry and constructive feedback as owners defend their concepts while critiquing others.[11] This format encourages innovation in transforming everyday homes into luxurious, themed stays, emphasizing authenticity and personalization over traditional hotel uniformity.[7] The highest-scoring instant hotel ultimately wins a prize, such as a cash award or an all-expenses-paid luxury travel experience, rewarding excellence in the competitive landscape of short-term rentals.[4] Premiering on the Seven Network in 2017, the series has captivated audiences by blending travel, design, and interpersonal drama to showcase Australia's diverse accommodations.[8]Competition Structure
The competition in Instant Hotel follows a structured progression where teams of property owners transform their homes into short-term rentals, visit each other's accommodations for overnight stays, inspect facilities, and provide scores and feedback during sessions, with the lowest-scoring team eliminated after each round to advance the highest performers toward a grand final.[12][7] In Season 1, the format featured ten teams divided into two groups of five, with each group undergoing a series of rounds across the first ten episodes: teams rotated stays at one another's properties, scoring them cumulatively, and the lowest-scoring team was sent home after each round until one winner remained per group.[7] The two group winners then competed in a two-part grand final, where mixed pairs revisited and re-scored the finalists' hotels to determine the overall champion.[7] Season 2 shifted to a paired format with four teams, condensed into two elimination rounds that removed two teams, allowing the surviving pair to advance to the grand final for a final re-scoring and showdown.[13][14] This evolution reduced the season from 12 episodes in Season 1 to six episodes, streamlining the competition while maintaining the core elimination mechanics.[15]Judging and Scoring
The judging and scoring system in Instant Hotel revolves around evaluations provided by competing teams and an expert judge, ensuring a blend of peer feedback and professional assessment to determine the viability of each instant hotel setup. Participating teams stay overnight in rival properties and rate them across four primary categories: House, assessing design, cleanliness, and overall quality; Location and nearby attractions, evaluating accessibility and appeal; Sleep, focusing on comfort and bedding; and Value for Money, gauging the overall worth relative to the experience offered.[7] Each category is scored out of 10 by the staying teams, with their collective input (averaged) forming the core of the evaluation. Additionally, host teams score the guest teams on behavior, including check-out observance, cleanliness, and adherence to house rules, which factors into the overall assessments.[7] The expert judge contributes an additional overall score out of 10, drawing on hospitality industry standards to offer objective insights into aspects like design execution and guest experience, though this input serves to inform rather than supersede the teams' ratings.[10] Total scores, calculated as the sum across all categories (with a maximum of 40 from team evaluations), dictate rankings and eliminations within each round, while average scores resolve any ties to maintain fairness.[7] Scores are revealed dramatically at the end of each stay, often heightening interpersonal tension among participants as they react to critiques in real time.[16] Ultimately, the team achieving the highest cumulative score in the grand final secures the competition's prize, which varied by season (e.g., a luxury vacation or cash prize), rewarding superior hospitality innovation.[17]Production
Hosts
The first season of Instant Hotel was hosted by Luke Jacobz, an Australian actor and television presenter known for roles in series such as McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away.[18] He narrated the competition and facilitated key reveals, beginning with the premiere on 7 November 2017.[19] Jacobz appeared across all 12 episodes of the season.[20] For the second season, British interior designer and television personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen replaced Jacobz as host, debuting on 11 February 2019.[21] Llewelyn-Bowen, recognized for his flamboyant style and expertise in home design from shows like Changing Rooms, infused the series with dramatic flair and styling insights.[22] He hosted the shortened season's 6 episodes.[15] Throughout both seasons, the host's primary duties included announcing participant scores and feedback, conducting post-stay interviews with teams, and leading tours of the competing properties.[16] In the grand finals, the host's involvement was limited to basic facilitation without deeper on-camera presence.[19] The switch to Llewelyn-Bowen marked a pivot toward enhanced design-oriented commentary, aligning with his judging role alongside expert Juliet Ashworth to provide more in-depth critiques of the hotels.[15]Judges and Experts
Juliet Ashworth served as the primary judge for both seasons of Instant Hotel, providing expert evaluations of the competing teams' accommodations based on professional hospitality and design standards. With over 20 years of experience as an award-winning interiors expert specializing in luxury hotels and resorts, Ashworth drew on her role as Partner and Creative Director at CHADA, an interior architecture firm focused on high-end hospitality projects, to assess the instant hotels' viability in the real world.[23] Throughout the series, Ashworth contributed scores out of ten alongside the teams, delivering detailed critiques on operations, guest experience, design functionality, and areas for improvement; she appeared in 15 episodes across the 18-episode run, conducting post-stay debriefs to guide teams on enhancing their properties.[2][15] Her professional scores were integrated into the competition's judging process, often weighted equally with peer evaluations or serving as tie-breakers to determine advancement and the final winner.[24] Ashworth's expertise offered a critical contrast to the teams' more subjective peer reviews, emphasizing practical hotel industry benchmarks like operational efficiency and guest satisfaction over personal preferences; notably, while season 2 introduced format changes with fewer teams, Ashworth remained the sole consistent judge without additional permanent experts.[25][9]Development and Broadcast
Instant Hotel was developed by the production department of the Seven Network as an original Australian reality television format, drawing inspiration from the rising popularity of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb.[26][9] The series was created to capitalize on the growing trend of homeowners transforming properties into temporary accommodations, with filming taking place across diverse Australian locations to showcase varied regional settings. The show premiered on the Seven Network on 7 November 2017, airing in a near-nightly schedule during its first season, which consisted of 12 episodes broadcast from 7 November to 29 November 2017. A second season followed, featuring a condensed format with only 6 episodes, airing from 11 February to 18 March 2019. In total, two seasons comprising 18 episodes were produced, with no further seasons developed or announced as of November 2025 due to the lack of renewal by the network.[27][20][28][29] Following its Australian broadcast, Instant Hotel was acquired by Netflix for international distribution, debuting as a Netflix original series on 28 December 2018 with the first season, while the second season was added on 28 June 2019. The series was removed from Netflix globally, with Season 1 departing on 27 December 2022 and Season 2 on 19 March 2023, concluding its streaming availability on the platform.[2][30][31]Season 1 (2017)
Teams and Participants
Season 1 of Instant Hotel featured ten teams divided into two groups of five, competing in a 12-episode format that emphasized regional diversity across Australia, from urban coastal areas to rural outback properties. Teams consisted of couples, family members, or friends who had converted their homes into short-term rentals, judged on criteria including house design, location, value, sleep quality, and hospitality. The teams were as follows:| Team | Relationship | Location and Property | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terry & Anita | Blended family | Brisbane, QLD; renovated home in West End | Terry and Anita, a blended family from Queensland, offered a stylish urban retreat in Brisbane's vibrant West End suburb. [2] |
| Babe & Bondi | Mother and daughter | Bondi Beach, NSW; margarita-inspired apartment | Babe and Bondi, a mother-daughter duo from Sydney, ran a beachside apartment themed around Mexican flair in the iconic Bondi Beach area. [32] |
| Bec & Tristan | Country siblings | Mildura, VIC; houseboat | Bec and Tristan, siblings from rural Victoria, hosted on a unique houseboat along the Murray River in Mildura. [32] |
| Serena & Sturt | Entrepreneur besties | Point Cook, VIC; family residence | Serena and Sturt, entrepreneurial friends from Melbourne, provided a suburban family home 40 minutes from the city center. [32] |
| Lynne & Simon | Just friends | Gold Coast, QLD; surfer's paradise home | Lynne and Simon, friends from Queensland, offered a beach-themed property on the Gold Coast. [32] |
| Mikey & Shay | Socialites | West Pennant Hills, NSW; suburban mansion | Mikey and Shay, socialites from Sydney, managed a luxurious mansion including pet care for their animals. [32] |
| Brent & Leroy | The fussy couple | Port Douglas, QLD; tropical retreat | Brent and Leroy, a couple from tropical North Queensland, hosted a detailed eco-luxury property near the Great Barrier Reef. [32] |
| Samantha & James | Newlyweds | Byron Bay, NSW; beachside home | Samantha and James, newlyweds from New South Wales, ran an alternative-lifestyle beach house in Byron Bay. [32] |
| Mark & Jannine | High school sweethearts | Barossa Valley, SA; 1950s diner-themed home | Mark and Jannine, long-time sweethearts from South Australia, offered a retro 1950s-inspired diner in the wine region. [32] |
| Adam & Kathy | Young family | Humpty Doo, NT; rural home | Adam and Kathy, a young family from the Northern Territory, hosted a remote outback property near Darwin. [32] |
Episode Summaries
Season 1 consisted of 12 episodes aired from November 7 to November 29, 2017, on the Seven Network, structured in two rounds of five episodes each, followed by a two-part grand final. [32] Each episode featured teams visiting one property, rating it on design, location, amenities, and experience, with professional judge Juliet Ashworth providing critiques. Episodes 1–5 (November 7–14, 2017) covered Round 1 with the first group: Adam & Kathy's rural Northern Territory home introduced the competition's hunt for Australia's best instant hotel; Mark & Jannine's 1950s-themed Barossa Valley property impressed with diner styling; Samantha & James's alternative Byron Bay beach house highlighted bohemian vibes; Babe & Bondi's colorful Bondi apartment brought margarita-themed energy; and Brent & Leroy's Port Douglas retreat focused on tropical luxury. Babe & Bondi advanced as Round 1 winners after cumulative scoring.[32] Episodes 6–10 (November 15–27, 2017) featured Round 2 with the second group: Terry & Anita's Brisbane West End renovation set a high standard for urban hosting; Bec & Tristan's Mildura houseboat surprised with river adventures but faced practicality issues; Serena & Sturt's Melbourne suburban home sparked debates over location and amenities; Lynne & Simon's Gold Coast surfer's paradise emphasized beach access; and Mikey & Shay's Sydney mansion included pet-sitting challenges. Terry & Anita emerged as Round 2 winners.[32] The grand final spanned Episodes 11–12 (November 28–29, 2017), where finalists Babe & Bondi and Terry & Anita hosted a jury of eliminated teams for overnight stays and final evaluations, building on prior feedback to refine their properties.[32]Grand Final and Winner
In the grand final, Round 1 winners Babe & Bondi competed against Round 2 winners Terry & Anita, hosting upgraded versions of their properties for a jury of four eliminated teams and judge Juliet Ashworth. Evaluations covered design, hospitality, location, and overall experience, with scores out of 80 determining the victor. Terry & Anita's West End Brisbane home earned top scores for its stylish renovations and guest comfort, securing victory with 64/80 against Babe & Bondi's 58/80. The winners received an all-expenses-paid stay at an exclusive Californian instant hotel, rather than a cash prize. The finale aired on November 29, 2017, highlighting the season's interpersonal dynamics and design transformations.[32]Viewership Ratings
Season 1 of Instant Hotel averaged approximately 650,000 national viewers per episode, performing solidly for Seven Network's Tuesday night slot in late 2017. [33] The premiere on November 7 drew 695,000 viewers, with Episode 4 (Bondi visit) peaking at 759,000 on November 14. Subsequent episodes ranged from 570,000 (Episode 6) to around 700,000, including consolidated figures adding 24,000–46,000 viewers via catch-up. [33] The grand finale on November 29 achieved strong engagement, contributing to the season's overall success before its Netflix availability. No detailed demographic breakdowns were reported, but the show appealed to lifestyle and reality TV audiences.Season 2 (2019)
Teams and Participants
Season 2 of Instant Hotel introduced a condensed format with only four competing teams, down from ten in the first season, which allowed for a shorter six-episode run and greater emphasis on interpersonal dynamics among the participants.[15] This change shifted the focus to paired teams, primarily consisting of couples or close family members, all of whom operated established short-term rental properties across diverse Australian landscapes, from coastal retreats to remote outback dwellings.[34] The selection highlighted regional variety and thematic uniqueness, showcasing properties in Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria to represent Australia's varied tourism offerings.[35] The teams were as follows:| Team | Relationship | Location and Property | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debbie & Justin | Mother and son | Buddina, Sunshine Coast, QLD; beachfront penthouse | Debbie, 57, and Justin, 27, managed a luxurious two-storey beachfront penthouse with panoramic ocean views, drawing on their experience as professional hosts in the competitive Sunshine Coast rental market.[36][37] |
| Gene & Sharon | Married couple | Bellenden Ker, QLD; Misty Mountains Tropical Rainforest Retreat | Gene Pierson, 72, a former rock musician and entrepreneur, and Sharon Salvestrin, 44, a property manager, part-time model, and marriage celebrant, ran an eco-luxury rainforest homestead emphasizing sustainability and adventure near the Great Barrier Reef.[38][39][40] |
| Jay & Leah | Dating couple | Portsea, VIC; beach bungalow | Jay Bruno, 31, a personal trainer and musician, and Leah Johnsen, 28, a model and influencer, offered a quirky, colorful coastal bungalow in the affluent Mornington Peninsula, marking their early venture into hospitality after recently moving in together.[41][34][42] |
| Mark & Razz | Engaged couple | Coober Pedy, SA; underground cave dwelling | Mark, 53, and Razz (Shay Razaei), 47, operated a distinctive subterranean "dugout" home in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, promoting the remote outback as an unconventional tourist destination with their adventurous, off-grid lifestyle.[34][43][35] |