Hotel Cocaine is a thrilling crime drama set in Miami in the late 1970s and early 1980s period. It seemed to be inspired by the true incidents in that happening city of the USA.
Although inspired by actual events, the “Hotel Cocaine” series is predominantly a work of fiction. On the other hand, the essential factual details encompass the cocaine hub, the true Mutiny, a 130-room hotel and nightclub identified as the “Studio 54” of Miami; its Jewish owner, Burton Goldberg, and its Cuban manager, Roman Compte.
‘Hotel Cocaine’ Transports Us Back To Miami, When Hedonistic Lifestyles Were Fueled By Drugs, Cash & Politics
With the “Hotel Cocaine” series, I want to convey that “for every gram of cocaine someone uses at a party, there’s a lot of dead bodies behind it.
Chris Brancato, series creator
Spoiler Free Review: Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series
The synopsis/summary
The series revolves around Roman Compte, a Cuban exile and the general manager of the Mutiny Hotel, which stood as the glamorous nucleus of Miami’s cocaine culture in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Mutiny Hotel was akin to a cocaine-infused Casablanca, boasting an extravagant nightclub, restaurant, and hotel that attracted a diverse clientele, including Florida’s business elite, politicians, international drug lords, CIA and FBI agents, as well as models, sports figures, and musicians. Compte was at the centre of this vibrant milieu, endeavouring to sustain the operation while pursuing his own American Dream.
Although the central plot is good, its script needed a bit of tightening
In the past, we have seen and appreciated the hit “Narcos” series by the same co-creator. Therefore, we think that the central plot and the basic theme of this crime drama are quite good. However, after watching this series, which took us on a nostalgic trip into the 1970s and 1980s era of Miami, we were disappointed, to say the least. There are quite a few plot holes as well as predictable plot twists. Maybe, its weak script needed a bit of tightening.
The ensemble cast has done well in it, but
Danny Pino, the American actor of Cuban descent plays the protagonist Roman Compte quite well in it. Last time we saw, Danny Pino in the “Mayans M.C.” Series, and he was impressive in that show too. It has been a while since we saw Michael Chiklis portray an Agent (DEA) Zulio, with definite shades of grey. We still remember his award-winning performance in the realistic cop-drama “The Shield” series.
The rest of the ensemble cast, Yul Vazquez (Nestor Cabal), Laura Gordon (Janice Nichols), Mark Feuerstein (Burton Greenberg), Michael Chiklis (Agent Zulio), Tania Watson (Marisol), Corina Bradley (Valeria), Mayra Hermosillo (Yolanda), Juan Pablo Raba (Gilberto ‘La Cobra’ Henao), etc. played their roles admirably. However, some of these characters were let down by the loose script. Some of the stories involving a bunch of minor characters (mainly the hostel guests) did not conclude. We are left wondering about their fate.
The conclusion
Still, despite its visible flaws, the good performances by its main cast members have kept us hooked on it. It is a complete timepass series, fit for one time watch, for the sake of nostalgia. Interestingly, the show ended with a big surprise related to the personal life of the manager Roman Compte (Danny Pino) of the Hotel Cocaine. So, we might have its season two in future. And, we hope that they will improve and get their act together in future.
Rating: Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series
| FM Rating | 3.50/5 |
Poster: Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series
Roman Compte (sitting at the front) the general manager of The Mutiny Hotel, often referred to as the "Studio 54" of Miami, is a Cuban expatriate who participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion against Fidel Castro and subsequently rebuilt his life in Miami.
Nestor Cabal (standing on the right side) the brother of Roman Compte, stands as one of the foremost cocaine suppliers catering to the voracious demand in Miami. He is characterized by his perilous demeanor, wit, and cleverness, and he is on a quest to reconnect with his long-absent brother.
Agent (DEA) Zulio (standing on the left side) is resolute in his mission to dismantle the drug trade, willing to go to great lengths, including the use of innocent civilians, to fulfill his goals.
Key Details: Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series
| Genre | Crime, Suspense, Thriller |
| Original Language (s) | English (USA) & Spanish |
| Season | One (1) Season |
| Episodes | Six (6) Episodes |
| Creator | Chris Brancato |
| Writers | Chris Brancato, Michael Panes, Alfredo Barrios Jr., Dean Imperial, Nicki Renna, & Kyle Hamilton |
| Directors | Guillermo Navarro, Fernando Rovzar & Sara Seligman |
| Cast | Danny Pino (Roman Compte), Yul Vazquez (Nestor Cabal), Laura Gordon (Janice Nichols), Mark Feuerstein (Burton Greenberg), Michael Chiklis (Agent Zulio), Tania Watson (Marisol), Corina Bradley (Valeria), Pedro Giunti (Guillermo), Mayra Hermosillo (Yolanda), Juan Pablo Raba (Gilberto ‘La Cobra’ Henao), Cale Ambrozic (Howard), etc. |
| Taglines | Every pleasure … has a price. |
| Network | MGM+ |
Trailer: Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series Poster
Spoilers Alert: Summary of the Eight (8) Episodes of the Season (1) One
Synopsis of the Eight (8) Episodes of the Season (1) One of the series
The Mutiny (S1, E1)
Roman Compte, general manager of Miami’s wildly popular Mutiny Club, is forced by the DEA to spy on his estranged older brother Nestor Cabal, the city’s biggest importer of cocaine.
The Orishas (S1, E2)
Nestor rallies Roman to attempt a daring rescue of Chucho, Nestor’s right-hand man, from a local hospital; if Chucho wakes up from his coma, he’ll reveal Roman’s secrets.
The Orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. (Source: Indiana.edu)
Día de los Muertos (S1, E3)
Roman spies on a Colombian guest at The Mutiny and uncovers a plot to kill Nestor and other prominent cocaine distributors, which would allow a new and dangerous Colombian cartel to take over Miami.
Día de los Muertos means Day of the Dead.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (S1, E4)
After a failed assassination attempt, Yolanda Guerra arrives from Colombia to take matters into her own hands; when she discovers Roman saved Nestor’s life, the Colombians target Roman’s family.
We’re at War (S1, E5)
Roman moves his family to the safety of Nestor’s mansion; they use a peace meeting with Yolanda and Don Henao as an opportunity to take them out and end the Colombian threat.
Homeland or Death (S1, E6)
Roman and Nestor are at the edge of a bloody war with the Colombians and accept the help of a corrupt Congressman to secure the import of the biggest shipment of coke ever to hit Miami’s shores.
Estela (S1, E7)
Roman seeks owner Burton Greenberg’s help with a landing spot for the cocaine; Zulio works with a corrupt banker to return Henao and Yolanda to the negotiating table; Nestor reveals a secret.
The Price (S1, E8)
Roman and Nestor appeal to agent Zulio for help getting back Valeria; when the biggest coke shipment of all time arrives in Miami, they turn to an old friend for help.
Featured Image – Mark Feuerstein (Burton Greenberg) at the Miami Hotel.
Poster and Featured Image of the Hotel Cocaine (S1/2024) Series | Images Credit: MGM+.