In each episode, the celebrated hotelier Ruth Watson visits and assesses the site of a planned hotel, guest house or bed and breakfast, and offers advice and support to the new owner/s.
Watson identifies weaknesses in the preparations of the new establishments, and then sends the new owners to various hotels in the UK to improve their skills.
Each episode usually culminates in the new hotel being secretly inspected and assessed by a tourism agency or travel writer.
Watson herself has described the show as "Grand Designs meets The Hotel Inspector".
[2] Although calls to take part in the programme were placed at the end of each episode, in a statement on her personal website announcing a halt to her presenting career, Watson mentioned that Hotel Rescue was never recommissioned for any further series.