Dunston Checks In 1996

As Lionel Spalding (Faye Dunaway) and his devoted dog Neil make their entrance at the prestigious Majestic Hotel, they are abruptly soaked by a sudden water barrage unleashed by Kyle Grant and his brother Brian. The hotel manager is already fraught with tension, and his fury only escalates as Robert, the boys’ father, grapples with overwhelming disappointment at their antics. Although the trio was looking forward to a well-earned vacation in Barbados, their hopes are dashed yet again by Elena Dubrow, the hotel’s imperious owner, who insists on canceling the trip for the third time.

Her justification? The Majestic is on the verge of achieving its coveted sixth star from the Le Monde Traveller Organization, thanks to a critic rumored to be among the guests. Yet, unbeknownst to them, a surprising new arrival has just stepped into the hotel: none other than “Lord” Rutledge, a notorious jewel thief, accompanied by his orangutan accomplice, Dunston. Trained from a young age in the art of thievery, Dunston yearns to break free from the grip of his cruel handler and lead a life unrestrained by crime.

Amid the commotion, as Kyle becomes intrigued by Rutledge’s behavior, he inadvertently triggers a sterling rope mini-pulley, sending Brian tumbling down a laundry chute. In this frenzy, Dunston seizes the opportunity to escape, finding an unexpected protector in Kyle. However, this friendship introduces a cascade of complications as Dunston disrupts the hotel’s guests, including Lionel Spalding, whose workout is interrupted and Mrs. Angela Dellacroce, whose massage is spoiled. Consequently, Robert, overwhelmed by the chaos, calls in animal control expert Buck LaFarge to safely retrieve the rambunctious orangutan.

Together, Kyle and Brian devise a clever plan to disguise Dunston as Dr. Lamb Binh Ngoc, stashing him in the hotel’s Presidential suite. However, Rutledge’s shrewdness leads him right to the sneaky ape, binding Kyle with rope and stifling his cries for assistance. Undaunted, Dunston and Kyle orchestrate a daring escape to the opulent ballroom, where they pilfer incriminating evidence from Rutledge’s room—a photograph featuring him, Samson, and the naive Dunston.

Meanwhile, Robert’s frustration boils over when Kyle divulges the shame of being tied up by Rutledge. As Brian and Kyle race against time to find their elusive companion, they maneuver through a series of hurdles, dodging LaFarge’s relentless pursuit and Mrs. Dubrow’s watchful gaze. In the midst of the chaos, Robert faces off against Rutledge in the kitchen, while Brian and Kyle fend off Mrs. Dubrow’s wrath, who erroneously accuses Kyle of bringing Dunston into the hotel—a complete fallacy.

In a surprising twist, Spalding, whose dignity has been sorely tested by Dunston’s mischief, finally reveals his role in the pandemonium. As LaFarge attempts to tranquilize him with a dart, Mrs. Dubrow’s fortunes plummet from five-star luxury to dismal mediocrity. Rutledge is apprehended, and LaFarge extends an insincere apology to Dunston, who retorts with a definitive slap.

In the wake of the upheaval, Robert, Kyle, and Brian are offered a fresh start as they move to Bali to manage a new Majestic Hotel, where they can finally keep their spirited pet in check. They even extend a kind invitation to Spalding, offering him a complimentary room complete with meals, a gesture aimed at reconciling past grievances.

Yet, just when they think they’ve found tranquility, Dunston’s playful antics resurface with a vengeance, culminating in a hilarious moment when a large coconut plummets from the sky, landing squarely on Spalding’s unsuspecting head.