Presenter, Rob Rinder with Mike Zhuang, Front Office Director at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland — Photo by IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the feature of two luxury flagships in the forthcoming series of BBC Studios Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. Airing on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer from 12 September, the beloved BBC series will capture an unprecedented perspective of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland and Six Senses Ibiza with each property starring in its own hour-long feature episode. Both properties are part of IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio – one of the world’s largest.

Each episode gives audiences an unparalleled view of the hotels’ distinct take on luxury hospitality as presenters Chef Monica Galetti and Television Lawyer Rob Rinder shadow hotel teams across all areas of the guest experience. The pair are put to work behind the scenes venturing into places and spaces unseen by the public eye to uncover the meticulous level of focus required to deliver impeccable service. As each episode documents, Rob and Monica become part of the expert hotel teams to shed light on the heart-warming stories of the communities within each hotel’s storied walls.

Jane Mackie, Senior Vice President of Global Luxury, Lifestyle, and Premium Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: "We are thrilled to bring BBC viewers on a virtual journey of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland and Six Senses Ibiza in the next series of Amazing Hotels. These two dramatic properties each have their own unique story to tell and incredible colleagues who bring it all to life. The architectural feat embodied within InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is something to behold, while Six Senses Ibiza challenges the perception of what Ibiza as a destination has to offer.”

InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland: A Marvel of Modern Architecture and Engineering

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand with over 220 hotels spanning 70 countries. Founded by Pan American Airways Founder, Juan Trippe in 1946, InterContinental is guided by the belief in the power of travel to expand the mind and connect cultures.

Built in a former quarry, InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is in fact an upside-down tall skyscraper designed by visionary architect Martin Jochman. The episode delves into how this hotel seamlessly blends its awe-inspiring surroundings with the elegance of InterContinental hospitality. Unusual locations bring their challenges. The episode explores the inverted nature of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland and how it was constructed with patented structural and seismic engineering innovations through to daily hotel operations.

Opening doors to a ‘world of fascination’, InterContinental is a brand which reimages the luxury travel experience with the modern luxury traveler at its heart. Striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity, the BBC episode celebrates how InterContinental focuses on satisfying a guests’ yearning for knowledge and culturally rich experiences, building on its heritage as a beacon of approachable luxury travel.

Six Senses Ibiza: A Sanctuary of Wellness and Sustainability

On the White Isle’s northern tip, Monica and Rob arrive at Six Senses Ibiza to discover how, since the resort’s opening in 2021, it has established itself as the wellness and cultural destination on the island. Throughout the episode the pair are immersed in the live layers of year-round programming available to guests and gain an insight into the dedicated team of people who bring these memorable moments to life every day.

From cacao ceremonies, silent hikes and biohacking practices to cyclical fashion, recording studios and farm to table cooking, Monica and Rob take viewers behind-the-scenes to explore the on-property experiences which celebrate and reflect Ibiza’s deeper roots through pioneering wellness, music, art, fashion, culinary exploration, and culture.

Six Senses Ibiza  — Photo by IHGSix Senses Ibiza  — Photo by IHG
Six Senses Ibiza  — Photo by IHG

The next series of BBC Studios Amazing Hotels: Life Behind the Lobby will be available to stream on demand on BBC iPlayer from 12 September. Episodes will air on BBC2 at 8pm BST, with InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland kicking off the series on Thursday 12 September, followed by Six Senses Ibiza on Thursday 26 September.