Grand Hotel
All aboard.
Ticket, please. -How long to Cantaloa?
Cantaloa? Make yourself comfortable.
People only go to Cantaloa to stay at the Grand Hotel or to work there.
I doubt if you can afford a room. I hear they've even got electric light.
I'm going to see someone. -She must be pretty...
if you're making such a long journey. -She's my sister.
episode 1
'Dear brother, I'm sorry not to have written in recent weeks...
but we've been so busy preparing for the lighting party.
You should see it, Julio. All three floors have been full for days.
People have even come all the way from America for the party.
To be honest, I'm nervous. It's my first big event as floor manager.
I'm in charge of the maids.
I hope all goes well. I wish you were here, brother.
The Grand Hotel is a good place to work...
and I've made good friends, but...
I miss you all. Kiss mother for me and tell her I love her.
And you too. I'm longing for the visit you promised.'
Cristina. -I'm coming.
My mother's waiting for you.
What's wrong? -I don't know.
Can you ask Pascual to post this? -And the stamp?
Tell him I'll pay him tomorrow. -I told him that last week.
What kept you? The guests are arriving.
It was my break time. -No breaks today. It's too important.
Is anything wrong?
Doña Teresa wants you to bring up her tea.
Me? -So she said.
But why me? That's a waiter's job.
Doña Teresa owns the hotel and I won't question her orders.
Neither should you, if you want to stay here.
Belén, hurry, there's a lot to do.
I don't know why she's a floor manager.
You've been here seven years, this is her first year.
I wonder how she did it.
Madam... -Come in. Carmen, you can go.
Cristina, a pretty name. Common, but pretty.
How long have you been employed? -8 months, doña Teresa.
And how have we treated you? -Well, doña Teresa.
Do you have any complaints? -No.
Are you sure? -I am, doña Teresa.
You know, Cristina, I only hate two things more than unpunctuality.
Mistakes and lies.
Are you lying, Cristina?
No, doña Teresa. -So give me back what's mine.
I don't know what you're referring to. -Are you lying to me again?
We both know you have something of mine. You'll stay here till you return it.
If you hurt me, everyone will hear the truth and you'll lose the hotel.
Is that a threat? -Take it as you wish.
Dear friends, I want to thank all of you for coming today, some from far away...
to celebrate with us the Grand Hotel's entrance into a new era.
My late husband, don Carlos Alarcón, whom many of you knew...
always dreamed of making this hotel one of the most important of the nation.
Today, with the arrival of electric light, the symbol of progress...
his dream has unquestionably come true.
This is the first luxury hotel in Spain to have electric light.
No less than 4,500 bulbs from the Edison Electric Lighting Company...
will light our rooms and this great salon.
I only regret that my late husband could not see it.
But I know his spirit will be in each of the bulbs that will light the hotel.
And now, if you'll join me in the countdown...
we'll discover if the electrical installation works...
or if we have to continue using candles.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Cantaloa station. -I think we've arrived.
Cantaloa station.
All aboard.
Thank you.
Alicia, at last. -Mother.
I thought I'd be toasting alone tonight. Shall we go in?
And my brother and sister?
Sofía hasn't arrived yet. Some mishap, I guess.
Did Javier miss the train again? -Let's not talk about him.
How was your journey? -Fine, but I couldn't wait to arrive.
Aren't the tablecloths out yet? -They've just arrived...
I didn't ask that. I want the tablecloths out, no explanations.
Belén, why did you take so long? -I'm sorry, madam.
Are you one of the new waiters? -No, I'm looking for Cristina Olmedo.
Cristina?
Yes, Cristina Olmedo. She's a floor manager. Do you know her?
She doesn't work here anymore.
They fired her. -Why?
It seems she stole jewelry from a guest while supervising the maids.
That's impossible. -It's what the guest said.
Her word is worth more than an employee's.
Especially when it's Lady, a resident and doña Teresa's friend.
What's her name? -Lady.
She lived in England, so everyone calls her that. Her name is Ludivina.
Where did Cristina go? -I don't know. She didn't say goodbye.
They told her to leave and we heard nothing more.
I presumed she went home. -Well, she didn't.
I haven't heard from her in a month. She usually wrote every week.
Maybe she was ashamed.
If you really knew her you wouldn't say that.
Andrés, what are you doing? Has the new waiter arrived?
Julio Espinosa. I've just arrived. I was just telling Andrés.
Show him his room, get him a uniform. Then bring him to the dining room.
Andrés. -Hello, señorita.
We missed you, señorita Alicia. -Ángela. And I missed all of you.
But I'm back now, for a long time, I hope.
Gabriel, how are you? -Señorita.
May I help you, don Diego? -I'm looking for señorita Alarcón.
Alicia, can we have a word? -Of course, Diego.
What are you doing?
Trying to find my sister. -I said she left.
You don't know where she went. She wouldn't have left without writing to me.
I've traveled nearly 600 km by train. I'm not going home without her.
Very well, but that's my bed.
And I hope you find her before the new waiter arrives.
Which room was hers? -No, you can't go in there.
You'll get me fired. Where are you going?
Where is it?
That was her room.
You'll find nothing there. -Wait here and keep watch.
Andrés, have you seen don Benjamín? The new waiter is here.
The new waiter?
Do you know where don Benjamín is? -No, but I'll sort it out. Where is he?
At the service door. -So let's go.
Who are you? -I'm sorry, I'm new, I've just arrived.
I was looking for my room, but I got lost.
Can't you read? This is the women's corridor.
I'm very sorry, Cristina.
My name is Belén. -Sorry, I saw the name there.
I thought it was you. -She was my roommate.
I'm alone now. -That's good, isn't it?
We were friends. I'm not glad she's gone.
Belén. -If she sees you, we'll both be fired.
Belén. -I'm coming.
Why did you lock the door? -I'm sorry.
I was looking for you. -I was changing.
To the laundry. The new employees are here.
They need their uniforms. Come along.
I left another job to come here. Don't tell me it was a mistake.
I'm very sorry. -Andrés.
Why are you here? Is there a problem?
This man... -Enrique Barón.
He says he's the new waiter. -We weren't expecting one.
All our vacancies are filled.
Yes, but he got a letter confirming his position.
May I?
I'm sorry, there's been a mistake. -What do you mean?
We took on staff a month ago for the lighting party.
I'm afraid the letter arrived too late.
It's obviously not your fault, but neither is it ours.
We had to find another waiter instead. -But I got the letter...
The most I can do is inform you of any new vacancies, but that won't be soon.
I'm sorry.
That wasn't right.
Unpunctuality isn't allowed. If you're called for 6:00, be available at 5:30.
Each of you is responsible for your uniform and equipment.
You can't wear rings, bracelets, watches or chains.
Clean nails, spotless shoes, clothes without a wrinkle.
You must have perfect knowledge of the three floors...
the sixty bedrooms and the preferences of our regular guests.
You must know what's behind each door.
If you're in doubt, ask before making a mistake.
You are part of the image of the Grand Hotel.
Bear that in mind in each thing you do.
The waiters will answer to don Benjamín, the maître.
The maids to me. Is that clear? -Yes, madam.
Then let's begin.
Manners, silence and discretion.
The guest is not a friend.
Do not look him in the eye and keep a distance of a counter width.
Some 40 cm.
Don't forget.
At the Grand Hotel there are no second chances.
Now, go to work.
Rather him than her. She must be unbearable.
She's my mother.
Your mother's call will have surprised you.
I'm used to her surprising me...
but not to her being so secretive about a family gathering.
I suppose you know the reason. Am I mistaken?
And she will have asked you to say nothing.
Your mother likes to do things her way.
But I'm sure you have your suspicions.
Your father's death changed everyone's plans, especially yours.
But she thinks it's been long enough. -Long enough for what?
I'm sorry, it's not your fault. Your mother misses him too.
But she has to look ahead, think of your future.
And with whom I should spend it. That's why she called us here.
She thinks it's time you got engaged. -To whom?
The suites are along here. They're all identical, except for the royal suite.
They're the best rooms, used by the wealthiest guests...
and by the Alarcón family. -The Alarcón family?
They own the hotel. -All of it?
60 bedrooms.
Please, behave. Doña Teresa hates two things more than unpunctuality.
Lies and mistakes.
The Alarcóns always keep their word. -I didn't give my word.
But I did, and I'm your mother. -I don't love him.
No one asked you to, dear. You just have to marry him.
Diego has managed the hotel since your father died.
I thought you were intelligent.
Then you could have done as father wished...
and sent me to study, so a stranger wouldn't be running our business now.
You were away for months, learning to be a good wife.
I meant university. -You know the hotel better than he?
I grew up here, and father... -Your father left you under my charge.
He just indulged you. Your brother should be in charge...
but he'd sell us all for a bottle of champagne.
Do you think I like marrying you off against your will?
Or do you want to end up like my friend Rosalía Molins?
Señorita Molins is a good woman. -Yes, with no family, alone and bitter.
If that is all... -Thank you, Andrés.
If Diego hasn't abandoned us...
it's because he loves you and knows what it would mean for you.
But I assure you that he could do it if he wished.
What do you mean? -Sit down.
Your father was a good man, but he committed some sins.
Sufficiently serious to endanger all that we have.
He'd never have done that. -Look at the accounts, if you wish.
They don't lie.
Your father adored you and would have liked to leave you everything.
In a way he did. The hotel, the family, everything.
Think about it.
It doesn't matter who is in the public eye.
If you're intelligent, Diego will be guided by you, as I guided your father.
What was that about? -I didn't hear anything.
What? -A good waiter only hears orders.
Silence and discretion. The rules to follow if you want to become a maître.
Lady.
The guest who said my sister stole her jewels?
I told you.
All that matters is a guest's word. And she won't speak to a waiter.
They don't speak to us, they give us orders.
We can't even look them in the eye. They're beyond us. Don't forget that.
I couldn't wait for you to arrive. -Nor could we, isn't that so, Alfredo?
Yes, but we couldn't come sooner. -It was my fault.
We had to stop because I was nauseous. I wonder when it'll pass.
Your unborn nephew is already in trouble.
Do your parents know, Alfredo?
No, we're waiting to make sure everything is all right.
And we'd like to tell them in person.
Cleaned and ironed for tonight. -Yes, doña Sofía.
Thank you, Carmen.
Have you seen Mother? -Yes, earlier.
Did she tell you anything?
I just know she had some important news.
I think I know what it is. -You know?
I'm sure she'll name Alfredo hotel manager.
He's prepared, and he deserves it.
When he becomes marquis, the hotel will have everything.
He'll be a perfect manager. -The ideas you have, Sofía.
But I'm worried about how Javier will take it. Poor man.
He's convinced he'll be named.
Sir.
Ludivina? -You know me?
Don't you remember me? Rosalía Molins's nephew.
A pleasure. -May I join you?
Well... -Forgive me.
You may be waiting for someone and I'm intruding.
I wouldn't like a gentleman to get upset on your account.
By no means. Sit down, young man. -Thank you.
A delightful evening. The Alarcóns have always excelled at these events.
Isn't that so? -To be honest, I've just arrived.
You don't know the Grand Hotel? It's a wonderful place to spend a few days.
Yes, but a little... A little unsafe, from what I've heard.
It seems there have been some thefts recently.
Thefts? -You know it yourself. Your jewels...
I heard they disappeared from your room, that a maid took them.
They dismissed her. Her name was Cristina.
I've always been excellently treated by the Alarcóns and their employees.
Lady. -Alicia, my dear.
You've finally arrived, and as lovely as ever.
Forgive me, I couldn't greet you earlier.
Don't apologize, my dear. -I see you're in good company.
Don't you know each other? -No, I think not.
If so, I'd remember you.
It's Julio Molins. -Molins?
A relative of doña Rosalía, I suppose.
Exactly, my aunt Rosalía. My favourite aunt.
I visited her this year in Madrid. She took me to seeThe Troubadour.
I don't remember seeing you. -I had other engagements.
The young man was telling me that a floor manager was dismissed...
for committing theft. -Theft?
So I heard. A girl called Cristina.
Cristina Olmedo was in charge of the second floor. A very efficient girl.
Cristina was a good worker, and a good person.
They say she stole one of my jewels. You know how people like to talk.
None of our maids was dismissed for that reason.
That's a relief to hear.
Alicia. I'm sorry, they're expecting us. -Of course.
Excuse me. A pleasure.
It seems she can't have children. A disgrace for the family.
Who will inherit the title?
It will pass to the cousins. Imagine how the duke must feel.
My father would be furious if I didn't give him an heir.
That won't happen. The future marquis is on the way.
Let's just hope it's a male.
Ah, you're here. Benjamín.
Champagne, please. -At once, madam.
Will you tell us what we're celebrating? Alfredo and I are impatient.
Alicia, won't you tell your sister before it's made public?
Tell me what?
I asked your mother for Alicia's hand.
And she has accepted.
You're getting married?
Congratulations.
I wanted the whole family here, so I could give you this.
Alicia, it belonged to my family, and now you're part of it.
When did this happen? -We decided this afternoon.
I'm sure you've taken the right decision.
I can't think of better hands in which to leave my daughter.
And the family business, of course.
There are more hands in this family. -You mean your brother Javier?
You think he's capable of running this hotel?
Please, Sofía, don't be naive. He would ruin the hotel...
and the whole family with it.
Dear friends, if I learned anything from my husband, don Carlos Alarcón...
it's that this hotel's guests are part of our family.
That's why I wish to share this happy moment with all of you.
It's an honour for me to announce my daughter Alicia's engagement...
to don Diego Murquía, manager of this hotel...
and my late husband's right hand for many years.
Alicia, my dear, Diego...
I'm sure you'll be very happy together. To your health.
Bravo, bravo.
Bravo.
Don Javier. -Bravo.
Congratulations.
Maestro, please.
I'm delighted you deigned to come. -I'm delighted to see you too, Mother.
This is Jimena. -A pleasure.
I wish I could say the same. I'd like to speak to my son alone.
Have a cold bath and go to bed.
A mother shouldn't have to be ashamed of her children.
Javier, please pay that girl before she leaves.
Prostitutes can cause a scene if they aren't paid promptly.
Are you feeling all right? -Yes, of course.
Diego, my dear, won't you dance with your future mother-in-law?
Alicia, with your permission.
A great party. All the most important people have come.
But Alicia doesn't seem very happy. -Did you think it would be easy?
Alicia is a beautiful, intelligent woman. She isn't easy to tame.
If you want her to trust you, first make her love you.
Only if she's in love will she trust her husband fully...
without questioning anything he does.
Believe me, I made the same mistake.
I can get her to marry you, but the rest depends on you.
Sorry, I thought no one was there. -Don't worry, I was just taking some air.
I understand. I don't like crowds either.
I suppose I should congratulate you. -Yes, I suppose so.
No, thank you. -Don't you like it?
I don't know, I've never smoked.
I imagine you've never gotten engaged before either, and here you are.
You'll never know if you like it until you try.
Sorry.
Thank you.
Is it really your first time? -Your name was...
Julio. -Julio Molins.
Champagne, señorita? -No, thank you, Andrés.
Sir? -Julio, champagne?
No, thank you.
On second thought, I will have a drink. Thank you. That's all.
Young man, are you going to stay here all night?
Andrés, is anything wrong? -No, señorita Alarcón. Sir...
Servants.
At times they forget the three basic rules. Manners, silence, discretion.
They're not the only ones who forget them too.
I see you know them well.
Some have been here since before I was born, others grew up here.
I guess you don't know the new ones as well.
I know the names of all of the hotel's employees, if that's what you're asking.
My family taught me that.
But, no, I don't have the same relationship with the new ones.
Unfortunately, I was away for a few months. I missed the lighting party.
But tell me about yourself, señor Molins. What do you do?
I'm an architect. -An architect?
Would I know any of your buildings? -I think not.
I've worked almost entirely abroad.
I always wanted to study, to be independent. It was my father's wish.
But when he died, my mother decided I should be a good wife instead.
What did he die of? -The doctors aren't really sure.
It was very sudden.
You miss him.
Sorry. My father died recently too. -I'm sorry.
I hope that next year you'll be able to accompany your aunt to the opera.
Perhaps we may see each other again.
To be honest, I doubt it. I don't really like opera.
You think that's funny?
Normally, a man of your class wouldn't admit he doesn't like opera.
It's frowned upon.
I don't care about that. I prefer to do as I please.
And you can? Then you're a fortunate man.
You do it too. You're out here, smoking a cigarette for the first time...
while everyone you know is in there, waiting to congratulate you.
Perhaps I should go in. It's been a pleasure.
Likewise.
No, I don't like smoking.
Alicia, I was looking for you. -I went outside for some air.
With whom? -A nephew of Rosalía Molins.
Carlos? -Julio.
I thought Carlos and Alfonso were the only nephews. I don't remember Julio.
I must have got his name wrong. I'd like to retire now. It's been a long day.
Wait.
I know you weren't planning to get engaged so soon...
and much less with me. -Diego...
I know you don't love me. -You're a good man.
We've known each other for years... -But you don't feel anything for me.
You think you know me, but it isn't true.
You know your father's assistant, the hotel manager, not me.
I'd never force you to marry me if you didn't want to.
If you wish, Alicia, we'll break the engagement by mutual agreement.
Why didn't you ask me before you asked my mother?
I wanted to follow the rules. -The rules aren't always the best.
At times you talk like your father.
I know you'd like to run this hotel as your father did. Let's do it together.
I swear I'll do all I can to make you happy.
Good night.
I've put up with the Alarcóns for years and I know what they're like.
This won't be the only night you'll go to your bed alone.
At least, until you marry her. -What are you doing here?
Don't worry, no one saw me come in.
Afraid your fiancée will discover you?
You should be pleased I'm doing well. -I am pleased.
It suited you to keep me happy.
Or were you better off washing the floors?
This engagement is good for me but also for you.
We should celebrate it.