[citation needed] Rich aristocrat Victoria Cabot (Anne Baxter) runs the St. Gregory Hotel, assisted by general manager Peter McDermott (James Brolin) and his staff.

In later years, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., made numerous guest appearances as an opponent of Victoria Cabot and Peter McDermott who plants his daughter, played by Michelle Phillips, in the hotel staff as the concierge.

However, unlike The Love Boat's comedic story lines, Hotel generally broached more serious and controversial subject matter, such as abortion, infidelity, rape, suicide, AIDS, homophobia, spousal abuse and child molestation.

A visiting family is embarrassed when one member (Scott Baio) faces charges of shoplifting, and an unexpected twist mars the long-awaited reunion of two college friends (Carol Lynley and Barbara Parkins).

Hillary (Pat Klous) is shattered when a vacation romance at Puerto Vallarta turns into sexual blackmail, Mrs. Cabot meddles in the life of a lonely widower, and Billy discovers a street urchin living off the fruits of the St. Gregory.

Peter is courted by Mrs. Cabot's rival who threatens to take him from the hotel; an ambitious journalist goes after a rock singer; a couple (Margaret O'Brien and Donald O'Connor) returns to relive their wedding day at the St. Gregory with entertainer Liberace.

Peter falls victim to Cupid's arrow at a charity luncheon where he meets a wealthy socialite with a secret; Megan starts knitting booties, and Christine is drafted as a model in a fashion show.

A bar mitzvah celebration at the hotel nearly turns to tragedy when the father of the boy spies a concentration camp survivor who was responsible for the death of thousands of Jews and wants to take vngeance into his own hands.

The families of a couple (Mary Crosby and Boyd Gaines) about to be wed could be destroyed by a woman's (Patty McCormack) dark secret; the bride's parents (Dina Merrill and Robert Stack) face an emotional trial; financial ruin threatens the father of the groom (Steve Forrest).

Christine falls in love with an amnesiac (Roy Thinnes) involved in murder and robbery; two couples (Katherine Cannon and Rod McCary, Larry Wilcox and Cassie Yates) try to conceive a baby for the childless pair.

The daughter (Morgan Brittany) of a jewel thief (Louis Jourdan) embroils Peter in a robbery scheme; a man (Don Galloway) and wife (Markie Post) reunite after his mental breakdown; an actress (Eva Gabor) stages a comeback after 20 years.

A former Queen of racy films (Sally Kellerman) who is now a successful business executive is threatened with extortion by a man from her past (Mitchell Ryan); a young unwed mother (Melissa Sue Anderson) struggles to give her child up for adoption.