Prime Video's latest original series is "Hotel Costiera," an action-drama that whisks us away to sun-kissed Italy and introduces us to Daniel De Luca ("Grey's Anatomy" star Jesse Williams), a "fixer" working at a luxury Italian hotel.
It's a series that's been on my radar for a while. Ever since the first "Hotel Costiera" trailer dropped over the summer, I've been looking forward to checking in and seeing De Luca getting to the bottom of whatever mysteries the hotel guests have for him. And as of today (September 24), you can see for yourself, as all six episodes have landed on the streaming service.
I had the opportunity to stream the entire first season in advance of its release, and if you're waiting to hear whether to stream "Hotel Costiera" on Prime Video, I'm pleased to report that I enjoyed my time on the Italian coast, as it's an exercise in simple, summery escapism.
What is 'Hotel Costiera' about?
For the uninitiated, "Hotel Costiera" is pitched by Prime Video as having "a gripping storyline, fast-paced action and comedy," and follows Daniel De Luca, a half-Italian former U.S. Marine who returns to his Italian home to work at the titular, luxurious hotel on the coastline of Positano.
De Luca is trusted to handle guests' problems, but as we meet him, he's also searching for Alice, the owner's daughter who disappeared a month ago. While tackling more trivial tasks like locating missing guests (and their pets), Daniel does everything he can to find the girl ... and learns that Alice's kidnappers just might be the biggest challenge he's ever faced.
In addition to Williams, the series also stars Maria Chiara Giannetta, Jordan Alexandra, Antonio Gerardi, Sam Haygarth, Tommaso Ragno, Amanda Campana and others.
'Hotel Costiera' is simple, escapist viewing — and that's okay
If I were to slap a score on, "Hotel Costiera" would earn a distinctly average one — and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. Nothing about this new show is going to blow you away, but I enjoyed going along for the ride all the same.
Its two biggest boons are the comedic, "unserious" edge to proceedings, and that the ensemble is a likeable (if flimsy) set of characters: Williams is an amicable lead, both in the action and the lighter moments, though I'd also give a shoutout to blustering aristocratic Brit, Tancredi (Sam Haygarth), and supporting star Alejandra Onieva as personal highlights.
The individual stories (and the overarching missing persons case) are intriguing but never confounding, the environs are utterly gorgeous, and the brief bursts of action are relatively small-scale moments that won't impress on the spectacle front — expect relatively simple chases and fight scenes — but nevertheless liven proceedings up whenever they need to. "Hotel Costiera" is perfectly enjoyable, easy viewing, and moves along at the promised fast pace (though "gripping" is certainly not how I'd pitch the show myself).
All in all, "Hotel Costiera" is a show that I wouldn't necessarily say needs to be your No. 1 streaming priority; it's a show that I binge-watched and liked, but it doesn't measure up alongside the very best Prime Video shows. Nevertheless, if you need some fun in the sun or a slice of escapist, trouble-in-paradise action, Prime Video's new arrival just might be worth checking out.
All six episodes of "Hotel Costiera" are available to stream on Prime Video now.
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