Incompetent Couple Try To Renovate Bedsit Into A Chique Hotel | Hotel Rescue | Abode

Louise and Liam are trying to renovate an old bedsit into a “cheque boutique” in Margate. However, they have no experience in hotel management. Ruth Watson fears the couple are way over their heads, calling them “incompetent and up themselves”. Can Ruth help the couple start a successful hotel? Find out on Hotel Rescue!
Abode is the ultimate design, home, and gardening channel.
Get inspired for your next home or garden makeover - or just lean back and pick up some DIY tips from renovation experts, following full home and garden transformations from start to finish.
Want to keep watching? Subscribe here: bit.ly/AbodeYo...
Become an Abode member and get exclusive access to special content, badges, and emojis across our channel.
/ @abodelds
Any queries, please contact us at [e-mail]
#property #design #abode #renovation #interiordesign #hotel #buisness

[@brocktoon8]

What makes you think you can be a hotelier? I was a DJ for 12 years. 🤣🤣🤣

[@twistoffate4791]

Right? Good Lord, lol!!

[@AAPPUK]

🧐

[@aaronobryan9715]

They just seem like extremely short thinkers….And..It’s kicked them in the bottom

[@longdong3889]

Easy times make weak people

[@tracyjacobs7862]

More money than sense

[@sharonyoung8251]

Amazed that this couple think they will have “free” time. So against 9-5 but are taking on something that will probably be 24/7

[@robinbirdj743]

Yes, I laughed at that too.

[@twistoffate4791]

They seek the leisurely life of that darling black & white kitty who was sprawled, cat-napping on the front steps!!

[@currybase]

@@robinbirdj743 Laughed at that also. Happy I watched it to the end, because I thought, what a couple of dim wits.

[@joannadavignon1608]

Maybe it’s because 9-5 isn’t enough for them

[@Welshy]

@@joannadavignon1608this legit doesn’t make sense

[@cherrybarb4651]

Still open and getting five-star reviews. Good thing Ruth talked some sense into them.

[@rainbowhazeshop]

I live nearby! Do you know if the original owners are still running the business? I assume it runs as a self-catered airbnb now, which is what they really wanted back then!

[@newgabe09]

@@rainbowhazeshop if you search online you'll see that it is a properly catered BnB with room service breakfast with reviewers commenting on the good cooked breakfast.

[@LAllan-ls5er]

@@newgabe09If it’s ok , would you kindly let me know the name of their B&B ? I am visiting Margate in May , & I would like to stay here Thank you , Newgabe .

[@newgabe09]

@@LAllan-ls5er The name is given in the video. Reading Rooms

[@LAllan-ls5er]

@@newgabe09 Thank you very much . I missed this .

[@boshenaw.929]

It is amazing to see people "growing up" and actually starting to think in a totally different way. If those kids make it or not in the hotel indurstry, it does not actually matter now, because they have a business mind now and either they will make this one a success or the next one. Also shows that having a mentor cuts down learning by decades...

[@annwilliams6438]

They won’t have the money to outlay for the next one. Sorry but these two did not ‘get a business mindset’ from a little bit of help. What will get them through will be the chunk of money they are already sitting on… which probably came from the folks to start with.

[@WilldoAldone]

I love their esthetic style. Sort of a decayed elegance with a modern twist. Ruth was so gracious to take their calls for advice, and she delievered the goods,to get open and start taking in money.

[@northerngirl4666]

Should watched till the end! Looks like these 2 really grew up during the project! The space is absolutely gorgeous!

[@gabe-po9yi]

Ruth is quick to pick up on what people are about. She cracks me up how she puts things. “So, purely visually, you put in underfloor heating because you didn’t want to sully the room with radiators.” LOL

[@sharonyoung8251]

I am amazed at not only this couple but others in these series that are just “winging” it with no real plans. Worrying about wall coverings before they figure out the layout of the bathrooms. It’s crazy and no wonder they struggle. In many cases, it’s a miracle they ever get open, let alone make any money

[@kmsch986]

I looked it up and surprisingly they are up and running, survived COVID, won award for best B and B in 2016, so they figured it out. I’m shocked after watching this and seeing them say they didn’t want to do menial work or let it run their life, and they had no business plan. Go figure…

[@clivemilner]

Sharon Young, it's a shame , they no longer feel young at heart 💔😢

[@dominikmuller5021]

Let's keep in mind also that this is television and cut for dramatical effect.

[@aprilblossoms4]

Honestly one of my favorite episodes. The look on Louise’s face filled with pride and emotions in the end shows how much they wanted this in the end and how Ruth changed their thought processes from when they only cared about aesthetics.

[@jckonstanz]

She didn’t really change them though since the place is still not finished and they are only renting out two rooms from time to time in order to fund their lifestyle.

[@christinagiannaros9817]

That was lovely wasn't it? I felt so happy for her in particular.

[@NoFinalWords]

I like these two. They were forced into change, but weren't so arrogant about not changing to be more guest focussed.

[@sm3296]

Lol one day and he’s moaning about menial tasks. That’s what running a B and B is!

[@terrimoore8962]

I know !! That one got me !! Menial tasks is exactly what’s involved!! Lol!

[@steveroperfilms]

Good to see that they proved the clickbait title wrong. Took Ruth's advice, and by all accounts have made a great success of the B&B.

[@MagnoliaEmporium]

if you want to own a hotel and have no experience.... go work at one for a year..... learn it all from top to bottom.

[@Flash3-22]

Best advice given to these speculative couples. Need to get up to their elbows in actual work of the hospitality industry.

[@MagnoliaEmporium]

@@Flash3-22 thanks... my family owned one for decades... so I offered the advice with experience..

[@francesbacon7825]

There isn’t any shelving at any of the sinks for people to place their personal soaps etc..

[@samanthaabreu782]

When the title says "incompetent couple", I just imagine how many times Ruth will have a fit ahahahaha

[@mattneillninasmom]

Sorry...I don't appreciate the stain on the ceiling where there was a leak being left that way and lauded as "honest". That's just goddam sloppy! The "semi-slum" aesthetic is just not cutting it. That said, I am very impressed by the finished product that is The Reading Rooms B&B - unique, and a true pioneer in the rebirth of Margate as a designated getaway. Well done!

[@alisong2328]

It was worth watching until the end, to see that the couple took the advice given. At the beginning of the program I thought there was no way they would be able to open and run a guest house. I was pleasantly surprised by what they accomplished.

[@rolandoesteban9514]

One of the most beautiful transformations. The couple have exquisite esthetic sense.

[@HoneyQuint]

It is up and running. Receiving 5 star reviews

[@deannatrois1]

Have read some amazing reviews about this hotel (the programme was some time ago). Absolutely raving. How amazingly well this couple have done! Thank goodness Margate has been redeveloped.

[@mamiefish4047]

What a story with a great ending! Thank you Ruth!

[@kimbarleemoon3870]

Not too many of these episodes bring me to tears but you did it this time! Congrats on the Mr. and Mrs. Smith directory listing... How exciting!!!

[@evaperez4139]

There's nothing wrong being a perfectionist. As long as you're open minded. Not everyone shares same taste or style. When I'm visiting another country. I'm there to go sightseeing. And the room is decent and clean ; it's just to sleep.

[@jwa7241]

At the start I thought oh another couple with their heads on the clouds. Glad that I'm very wrong! A decade on and they still on the place plus reviews on Tripadvisor are very pleasant 5 stars.

[@Michael_1946]

The rooms are GREAT !

[@md-1]

Running a B&B is a service industry,... these two do not seem to have a ‘service’ attitude, but one of ‘me first’ in the beginning.

[@janegrey4374]

I just checked and their website indicates they are still in business, after 13 years. I'm curious to know how the area of Margate is doing as the Reading Rooms opened in 2009 per the website.

[@misschris662]

I also checked their website, and they are still renting only two rooms. Wonder how two rooms would pay off the all these loans?

[@sophitsa79]

​@@misschris662 the rooms are priced at £250 per night with breakfast, so I'm sure that helps. I'm guessing that he is still DJing

[@99fruitbat94]

@@sophitsa79 £ 250 a night 😶 I stayed at the Savoy in London for one night ( birthday treat ) obviously included breakfast , that was just a few months ago . Cost a lot less .

[@PattyPaints]

​@@sophitsa79 they're only renting the 2 rooms for 2-day stays on Tues/Wed and Fri/Sat. If you look at their calendar there are a LOT of open dates. I doubt they're paying off those loans very quickly. I wish they'd shown their personal quarters. Wonder if that's what happened to the third guest room.

[@sophitsa79]

@@PattyPaints oh! I didn't look that far into it. Are they trust fund kids who can sit back? Who knows?

[@TOM-C.]

I don't know how old this episode is, but I pray they made a go of it as they certainly designed a great place anyone would love to stay. I just hope they remember this is a service industry, and people expect full service when checking into a hotel. Eventually, I would hope to be able to order lunch, dinner, and snacks however minimal they might be. Great accomplishment Louise and Liam! 👍✌⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@ws4860]

See my comment above.

[@janegrey4374]

They opened for business in 2009. The episode was probably filmed in 2008.

[@janegrey4374]

@@tashathayer4069 Did you mean to reply to someone else's comment, because your response to my comment makes no sense whatsoever.

[@tashathayer4069]

@@janegrey4374 No idea I'm having cell issue's but sorry if I messed up.. ✌

[@mdorn6592]

Great episode...really enjoyed watching this journey

[@duckweedy]

I am amazed at how patient she is with them. They are so naive I would feel like giving them a good shake.

[@VASHON-ve6ki]

I'm thinking that maybe naivete is requisite if you dare to "dream big" as they say

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

The place is still open, and is getting 5 stars!

[@AbodeLDS]

that's amazing! what a great turn around!

[@sararichardson737]

My most favourite hotel featured. Very well done. Original and fresh.

[@Katmando376]

Margate was once a lovely Seaside town. We had lovely holidays there! I went back in 2006 so depressing. Hope things have changed for the better.

[@samdasilva1914]

It's beautiful I am glad they got out of their fantasy land and listened to Ruth. They managed to retain their sense of style and design whilst incorporating what guests look for. I wish them great success.

[@robinbirdj743]

They ran out of time, I guess...it needs art! I saw a picture but they didn’t hang it? Or ask those local artists to bring a few pieces? Otherwise, this project is amazing and they have done spectacularly! I hope they have succeeded!

[@j.j.9123]

@robinbird. The house is the art object.

[@carterfamilychannel]

Good work Ruth! love your shows!

[@kathysyphrit5713]

Watch it to the End, this was great.

[@jwsuicides8095]

The rough luxe hotel example is an interesting aesthetic but would I want to spend a lot to stay there? No way.

[@karlalton3170]

£280 per night for the one in London that looks like a squat you need to go and see a Doctor 😂😂👎👎

[@wendyharp3917]

Absolutely stunning!

[@northerngirl4666]

The Rough Luxe: what a scam! Grubby and dirty looking at $200 a night! Hahahahahahah

[@Yesshecancan]

"Rough luxe" is the interior design equivalent of those $1850 Balenciaga shoes that look like they were pulled out of a dumpster. It's so pretentious and ridiculous. I couldn't hate it more if I tried.

[@AbsoluteRangatira]

Naw, Louise seems lovely! I love the makeover!

[@1758pk]

From the Reading Room website: By 1960's, an18 year old Bob Calvert was left the house, which became a bohemian hangout as he co-founded the band Hawkwind. Cool. Happy for them that they succeded!

[@gwendolyn7462]

I just do not get people like this---spent half a million pounds......whay not just spend it on your house, and live in it!!!!!!!!

[@pamelareeves3574]

What a BEAUTIFUL place! I would stay there in a heartbeat.

[@kathleenmartin7498]

Great idea for decorating a B &B, but they need some small beside nightstands or tables.

[@larrypicard8802]

They really grew.

[@ebonylocks9234]

No doubt people want a beautiful hotel but they are traveling to enjoy the city. I wanted to share this but with incompetent in the title my friends would be offended. I think eventually it will be absolutely gorgeous and everything they want from it. Best wishes. The wife is beautiful and could easily be a model .

[@Whisperwomaneq2]

In their downtime, they would do well to get very involved in their community to work on cleaning the rubbish off the streets and planting inexpensive flowers on their street to dress it up a bit. They would also do well to clean up their own appearances, have a shave, wear a nice shirt. Especially the lady, she looks worn out with the dirty stringy hair and old shirt with jeans. I would take one look at them and think she has 5 kids and in an abusive relationship if I didn't know better.

[@sharonready5102]

I totally agree ! Her Hair needs washing and styling . Get rid of that hair clip .

[@archiebald4717]

"The tasks are menial", "not interesting". Rather snobbish! They want an income, but they are not willing to work for it.

[@sventer198]

I love their vision.

[@johnwest9577]

No mirrors above the bathroom sinks?

[@cjpowers9330]

It amazes me that so many go for the sterile style of NYC slick instead of embracing the period of the house. At least a little was saved.

[@andreasalomoni6025]

I love how you spelled chic

[@michellelindholm2100]

I so wanted to see how they used the remaining space in the building first their living space! 😐

[@maccoll3644]

Look at their website - they are still going strong, just letting 2 bedrooms at 500 pounds per two night stay and well booked-up through December 2023.

[@Robin-op8op]

They are just making it look full. That's fake. $500??? Doubt it.😮

[@doonewatts7155]

Even with Ruth holding their hand that was a baptism of fire for 2 creative people. Their interior design skills saved a fortune by not having to pay a designer for the perfection they created themselves! Really impressed

[@diane9247]

Well, that was a close call - good thing Ruth was involved to guide them to reality! It really is beautifuo in its rough and urban-chic way. It's very New York City!

[@debbebunch9973]

They had enough cash to prepare their own space... After that they could do one room or two, then open those with cash flow coming in... Then Reno a little at a time...

[@louistracy6964]

The Rough Luxe seems to have gone down the drain about 7 years ago. Reviews were awful. Margate is on the up, good call.

[@jo4vt]

Watch the entire episode, then look up Margate “The Reading Rooms,” before commenting negatively about the couple and success of their B&B. This was filmed in 2009. It’s kind of leading the viewer to criticize the couple by titling the video: “Incompetent.”

[@mrhaltonok]

Is this not like… criticising a video featuring Aled Jones singing as a child as being unfairly titled as he’s in his 50s now?

[@jo4vt]

@@mrhaltonok I was saying that people who are commenting “they’ll never succeed,” based on the title, or the beginning of the video, end up being wrong, because they did succeed. I didn’t say anything about the title other than to say it is leading the viewer to make fun of the couple.

[@madnutmcgee123]

Has anyone else been to their hotel recently? I've noticed they are no longer serving sausages?! Don't think Ruth would be too happy about this...

[@delminoka]

Rugs, rugs and more rugs. give it a homely feel and prevent cold feet

[@klharr2]

they have heated floors

[@twistoffate4791]

Yes, when one steps out of a shower or tub, feet like a small rug at least to step onto.

[@pip6866]

I hope they have managed to install some sort of window coverings. Blinds or curtains.

[@Aussie00]

No they didn't

[@Beautiful_Sacred_Land]

I hate seeing a dog on a short lead on a beach and being pulled back all the time. Its wrong. A dog needs to be free and run and trot on a beach. No leads. Glad to see it at 10:40.

[@peterthornton8254]

Louise and Liam have lead charmed lives. It's easy to understand why their vision might include maintaining such a lifestyle, rather than be bogged down with everyday tedium. They're not to blame. Separating artistic ambition from actual art confronts creatives constantly. I hope they go on to magnificent success and continually develop their passions for aesthetics. Good on 'em.

[@niksgee3538]

wow, they did amazing. That was so unexpected and looking at their website it looks like their business is thriving, isnt that nice to see.

[@Lara604]

You can always put a TV in a lil inset cupboard that closes. Voilá

[@anthonydale1723]

I am so glad the hotel ended Looking so nice, theyreally struggled.

[@lilys4960]

While I enjoyed the episode the number of ads were annoying

[@sanookaus1334]

Don’t know about England but aren’t hotels subject to strict fire codes, such as smoke detectors, exit lights and extinguishers which I didn’t see any.

[@monicad351]

I love the art of the 🏨 nice!

[@aaronobryan9715]

These two seems really ego driven

[@berlieannapalmer1187]

i would be happy to stay here its fabulos

[@mujkocka]

At 230£ a night?😁

[@elizabethkindred6806]

How sad that the show breaks up the commercials so often.

[@longdong3889]

An opportunity to top up the tea and grab a cookie or two 😁

[@Kiinell]

They only rent out a couple of rooms now and only certain nights a week. Seems they've got it as 75% their own home and make a few quid when they feel like it. Easy money I guess and they don't do cooked breakfasts either. No surprise there.

[@Robin-op8op]

They're just lazy hippies. 😮

[@MS-tw5qv]

Wonderful to have wooden floors!

[@maccoll3644]

It did turn out to be a beautiful and stylish modern bed and breakfast hotel.

[@davidcheffi5479]

Amending comments- Ruth came to the rescue and gave this couple some much needed advice and the end result was very good but the area they are located in is depressing.

[@elizabethpaints]

They'll all about preserving their freedom, and at the same time run a B & B? Now that I have watched it all the way through, I am pleasantly surprised. I hope they do a great business.

[@maryholden3136]

A rolltop bath sounds great ....... but in the day when they were common there were hot and cold running housemaids to go with them. From the perspective of cleaning, storage or best use of space they are nightmares

[@PeterMyers-ly7ut]

Well, as of 2023 they are still around even after Corona. So they must have made it.

[@Robin-op8op]

Yes, but they strick me as a couple in deep debt. 😢. Lucky they don't have money pit children.

[@clawmaster8905]

Think possibly Mommy and Danny probably bankrolled them, but still wish them the best

[@norahstuart9147]

Surely they would have got a structural survey done?

[@mdelong]

And Ruth is not wrong!!! Lol.

[@annwilliams6438]

Doesn’t want to do types of breakfast; doesn’t want to do tv; doesn’t want to have radiators; doesn’t want to have a kettle for tea and coffee… sheesh! Who wants to spend an expensive night in an art gallery where you cannot even get a cuppa, let alone a solid breakfast (which you will even get at the 100s of super cheapie places within a few blocks of them.) I’m glad they got a wake call, although those huge bathrooms are going to be freezing or will cost a bomb to heat. Soap dishes would also be a great idea as it is guaranteed that the soap will go spinning off across the room the first time it is wetted and placed on the shelf. A suggestion (to all owners): USE each of your rooms and facilities yourself and see what else you would like to have available or want to change.

[@justgrowthehellup6598]

They chose well. Margate has become very popular since that time, especially with the arty lot. Personally, I prefer Ramsgate which is just next door and has a wonderful Royal harbour. Good luck to them. It's a helluva gamble. Glad it worked out.

[@jacquelinegunther1012]

Hipster dufuses are legends in their own minds. 🙄

[@99fruitbat94]

What's a dufuses ?🤔

[@thomasewing2656]

@@99fruitbat94 Doofuses; dumbheads. "I want the best and not have to work for it."

[@splintercast8092]

I assume their prices will have gone up by now. £110/night seems very cheap for what is on offer.

[@CobaltBlueSpirits]

The title of this episode should be "Spoiled Brats With Rich Parents".

[@charlieclark983]

These children must be actors performing a script. It is unbelievable.

[@moritzblucher5023]

Is that house listed? It definitely should be! Renovations do not meet the standards of listed buildings!

[@clare2401]

It depends if it's got any historical significance. Otherwise, it's just a bog standard, old, mid terraced house, the same as anywhere up and down the country

[@misslornamae]

What did they expect running a b & b entailed? They talk about the jobs being menial. Well yes?!

[@sararichardson737]

I certainly do not want a tv in my hotel room in fact, whenever I do a hotel stay, I ask for the tv to be removed. I can use my iPad for that. TVs’ are always ugly black holes in a room.

[@bellagirlgirl8827]

Louise and Liam should have watched Fawlty Towers before jumping into this line of work.

[@fourroadsnorth2723]

Calling a "shabby chic" room honest? How pretentious!

[@trishallain6503]

If you want people to see the history of the building take lots of photos in each stage of renovations and hang them on the walls. But make each room pristine or your building will get condemned.

[@cecilecochet6198]

Courageux !

[@jonjayryzner]

Exquisite.

[@marshhen]

This guy at times seems like he is performing a satirical character and then you realize, woah he is serious and actually thinks he is a genius rather than knowing he is coming off as a pretentious and ignorant.

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

Not bad. Beautiful Hotel. They need to either do the marketing themselves or hire professionals. Basically they need to hire a mentor to push them. Any hotel without a marketing dept will cannot run a hotel.