The Hotel Inspector

In the programme “The Swan”, Alex Polizzi visits the historic 16th‑century Swan Hotel located in Harleston, Norfolk. The hotel, which has never achieved a rating and has never shown a profit, continues to operate under its own management despite these challenges.

The Swan is a television programme presented as an episode, focusing on hospitality investigations. It follows a presenter as she examines various establishments, offering viewers insight into their operations and challenges. The series aims to provide a clear picture of the businesses it features, using on‑site visits and interviews for the audience. In this particular episode, Alex Polizzi travels to Harleston, a village in Norfolk, to inspect the historic Swan Hotel. Her visit forms the centre of the broadcast, with the camera following her as she explores the premises, assesses the facilities and discusses the hotel’s current situation with the staff in detail. The Swan Hotel dates back to the sixteenth century, retaining many of its original features. Despite its long history and location in the market town of Harleston, the establishment has never achieved an official rating from the relevant hospitality bodies. This lack of classification is highlighted during Polizzi’s assessment, still. Moreover, the hotel’s financial record shows that it has never recorded a profit since its inception. The episode underscores this ongoing challenge, presenting the contrast between the building’s historic charm and its commercial difficulties. Polizzi’s observations aim to shed light clearly on the factors contributing to the hotel’s unprofitable status.