HGTV is always adding new shows to its lineup, and in a December 5 press release, the network announced the latest addition to its primetime lineup, set for an early 2025 premiere. The new series, “Betting on Paradise”, sees couple Steph Sitt and Luke Shantz risk everything to pull off a hotel renovation in Costa Rica.
The six-episode series is set to premiere on Tuesday, January 7 at 9 p.m. Eastern, taking over the timeslot from “Christina in the Country”. Each week, fans will get to see Steph and Luke (along with their two daughters) as they pack up and move to the coastal town of Jacó and work to renovate their latest purchase into a boutique hotel, thanks in part to funds they got from friends and investors.
“We’ve gambled everything on this hotel, and we’re all in,” Luke told the network. “We don’t have anything to fall back on at this point.”
“The motel is closed, so money is going out and nothing is coming in,” Steph added. “We need to open as soon as possible, because right now we’re just in the red.”
Who Are the Newest HGTV Hosts, Steph Sitt & Luke Shantz?
According to the network’s press release, Luke brings his construction background to his and Steph’s work in Costa Rica, while she comes in with some high-end hospitality experience as they work to bring their hotel, called Hotel Amavi, to life. Luke and Steph share a social media account where they share updates about their renovation work and personal lives.
According to her personal account, Steph confirmed that she and Luke have been together for 18 years, but delayed tying the knot until February 2024. Prior to getting married, Steph and Luke have been working together to raise their two daughters, 10-year-old Mia and 8-year-old Luna.
Steph Sitt & Luke Shantz Announced Their Show in March 2023
Steph and Luke first dropped the news of their HGTV arrival in March 2023, back when their show had a completely different name. They wrote in a shared Instagram post at the time, “The secret is finally out! We’re going to be on @hgtv ! Our show is called Building Paradise and it will be on air sometime next year! We are over the moon to be working with @cineflixmedia and their amazing team.”
According to the network, the premiere episode will follow Luke and Steph as they tour their hotel property for the first time and assess all the damage it comes with. The couple then hire a local builder and work to set up the layout for their new hotel, all while dealing with the start of Costa Rica’s rainy season.
Throughout the series, fans will get to see the couple transform nine guest rooms, including a honeymoon suite, a lobby, and a pool with an outdoor bar. The couple will do all of this while raising their daughters and exploring the country’s natural beauty.
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HGTV Announces Risky New Series Set for January 2025 Premiere