Holiday movies are usually a dime a dozen. You know the drill: a big-city professional gets stuck in a snowy town, meets a guy with a flannel shirt, and suddenly forgets her six-figure salary. But when Amazon Freevee dropped its first original holiday flick, people were mostly tuning in to see the hotel for the holidays cast and whether the streaming pivot would actually stick. It did. Mostly because the chemistry between the leads felt less like a script and more like a genuine, chaotic workplace comedy.
Honestly, the movie thrives because it doesn't try to be Citizen Kane. It knows it’s a cozy, slightly predictable romance set in the Georgia Manor. But the casting directors did something smart. They didn’t just grab two random actors; they paired a YouTube-turned-mainstream powerhouse with a dependable TV veteran. It’s a weird mix on paper. In execution? It’s why the movie stays on "What to Watch" lists every December.
Who Exactly Is in the Hotel for the Holidays Cast?
The heavy lifting here is done by Madelaine Petsch. Most people know her as the sharp-tongued, red-lipped Cheryl Blossom from Riverdale. If you were expecting that same icy energy, you might have been surprised. In Hotel for the Holidays, Petsch plays Georgia, a high-end hotel manager who is basically the glue holding a prestigious New York City establishment together. She’s stressed. She’s ambitious. She’s actually relatable, which is a big departure from the gothic melodrama of her most famous role.
Then there’s Mena Massoud.
You’ve definitely seen him. He was the titular lead in Disney's live-action Aladdin. While he spent most of that movie singing on a magic carpet, here he’s Luke, the hotel’s chef. His vibe is much more grounded. The dynamic between Georgia and Luke is the classic "will-they-won't-they" trope, but it works because Massoud plays the role with a specific kind of understated charm. He isn’t over-the-top. He’s just a guy who’s clearly in love with his best friend but also really cares about his kitchen.
The rest of the ensemble fills in the gaps. Max Lloyd-Jones plays Prince Raymond. Yes, there is a prince. It wouldn't be a holiday movie without some kind of royalty, right? Lloyd-Jones brings that necessary "is he a jerk or just misunderstood?" energy that keeps the love triangle—if you can even call it that—moving forward. Kayleigh Shikanai, Jami Belushi, and Neil Crone round out the staff and guests, providing the background noise that makes the Georgia Manor feel like a real place rather than just a soundstage in Ontario (where it was actually filmed).
Breaking Down the Chemistry
Why does this specific group of actors click? It’s the contrast. Petsch has this high-intensity, fast-talking delivery. Massoud is the literal calm in her storm. When you look at the hotel for the holidays cast as a unit, you see a deliberate attempt to mimic the frantic energy of the hospitality industry.
I've talked to people who work in high-end hotels. They’ll tell you that the holiday season is a nightmare. The movie captures that—the demanding guests, the broken heaters, the impossible schedules. Because Petsch and Massoud have a natural rapport, the romantic subplot doesn’t feel forced. It feels like two people who have survived a dozen "peak seasons" together and finally realized they might actually like each other.
There’s a specific scene in the kitchen where Luke is trying to handle the Christmas menu while Georgia is spiraling about a VIP guest. It’s short. Maybe two minutes. But the way they talk over each other feels real. It’s not the polished, rhythmic dialogue of a Sorkin script. It’s messy. It’s conversational. It’s kinda the best part of the movie.
Where the Supporting Cast Shines
We have to talk about the "prince" element. Prince Raymond could have been a total caricature. In many of these movies, the royal character is either a saint or a total villain. Max Lloyd-Jones plays it somewhere in the middle. He’s charming enough that you understand why Georgia is distracted, but he’s also detached enough that you’re still rooting for the chef.
The "work family" dynamic is handled by:
- Kayleigh Shikanai as Pandora: She brings a dry wit that balances out the sugary sweetness of the holiday themes.
- Neil Crone as Milton: A veteran actor who knows exactly how to play the "older, wiser mentor" figure without being cheesy.
- Jami Belushi as Simone: She provides the best friend energy that every lead in a rom-com needs.
It’s worth noting that this film was directed by Ron Oliver. If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark or Lifetime movie, you’ve seen his work. He’s a pro at this. He knows how to position his actors to maximize the "cozy" factor. But with the hotel for the holidays cast, he had a bit more room to play with a slightly more modern, snappier tone.
The Realism (Or Lack Thereof)
Look, it’s a holiday movie. No hotel manager in NYC has hair that perfect after a 14-hour shift. No chef has a kitchen that clean during a gala dinner. We all know this. But the cast sells the emotion of the stress.
Madelaine Petsch actually spoke in interviews about the filming process, mentioning how the tight schedule mirrored the "go-go-go" nature of the hotel itself. They filmed in Canada during the off-season, using fake snow and a lot of Christmas lights to build the atmosphere. When the actors are shivering in a scene, they aren't always acting. That physical discomfort adds a layer of "we're all in this together" that translates well to the screen.
Why This Cast Mattered for Freevee
At the time of release, Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) was trying to prove it could compete with Netflix and Hallmark. They needed stars. Getting a lead from a major CW show and a lead from a billion-dollar Disney franchise was a massive flex. It signaled that ad-supported streaming wasn't just for old reruns anymore.
The hotel for the holidays cast was the proof of concept. If you put recognizable, talented people in a familiar genre, people will watch. And they did. The movie became a staple for the platform. It proved that Petsch could carry a film outside of the Riverdale universe and that Massoud had the range to be a leading man in a contemporary setting.
Misconceptions About the Production
Some people think these movies are thrown together in a weekend. Not true. While the shooting schedules are fast—often less than three weeks—the casting process is meticulous. They needed a lead who could handle the "boss babe" trope without being unlikable. Georgia has to be demanding, but we have to want her to win. Petsch’s performance is actually quite nuanced in how she balances her ambition with her loneliness.
Another misconception? That the actors don't take it seriously. Massoud, in particular, brought a level of sincerity to Luke that made the stakes feel higher than they actually were. It’s just a hotel dinner, but to him, it’s his career. That investment makes the viewer care.
Future of the Cast Members
Since the movie wrapped, the cast has been busy. Petsch moved on from the end of Riverdale into more film roles and producing. Massoud has been vocal about the struggles of being a lead in Hollywood and has continued to work on diverse projects.
But for many fans, they will always be Georgia and Luke. There’s a certain immortality that comes with holiday movies. They get rewatched every year. You might forget the plot of a random action movie you saw in June, but you’ll remember the hotel for the holidays cast because they become part of your yearly tradition.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning a holiday movie marathon, don’t just stick to the classics from the 90s. Give this one a look. Pay attention to the background actors—the "hotel guests" often have little subplots that aren't spelled out in the dialogue.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Watch:
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- Watch the chemistry: Look for the non-verbal cues between Petsch and Massoud in the lobby scenes.
- Check the scenery: See if you can spot the Canadian landmarks masquerading as New York City.
- Follow the cast: Many of the supporting actors are staples in the Canadian filming industry; you'll likely see them in three or four other holiday movies this year.
- Compare the tone: Watch an episode of Riverdale right after. The shift in Petsch's acting style is a masterclass in range.
The movie isn't trying to change the world. It’s trying to give you 90 minutes of warmth. Thanks to a cast that actually showed up and put in the work, it succeeds. It’s a reminder that even in a genre filled with tropes, good actors can make the familiar feel fresh. Enjoy the stay at the Georgia Manor; just don't expect the Prince to actually help with your luggage.