Update: There is a response to feedback about the review at the end of this article.

Stepping into Alux, a new luxury RP hotel, involves entering a world of indulgence. Nestled on a private sim and requiring pre-booking (click here for details of how these kinds of resorts work), Alux promises a personalised experience focusing on immersive roleplay. 

But does this high-end haven live up to its lofty ambitions, and more importantly, is it worth the premium price tag? Maya and I embarked on a staycation to find out.

In summary, while we appreciated Alux's dedication to providing a high level of RP service, the prices seemed steep compared to similar venues, and the aesthetic is a matter of personal taste. We wondered if a self-check-in option with lower prices and optional RP add-ons might be a more attractive approach.

Arrival and First Impressions

The check-in process is quite the experience, though it can be lengthy. Normal check-in is 3 p.m. SLT, though they let us arrive 30 minutes earlier.

You're teleported to an aeroplane set with first-class seating and complimentary drinks.

Note that for Maya, the drinks involuntarily interfered with her AV, causing her to adopt a ‘drunk’ state locally and affecting her camera. We felt that a warning from the staff that this was about to happen would have been good, as it was a jarring and slightly uncomfortable moment.

After a 30-minute "flight," we were whisked away to the hotel in a limousine and escorted to reception.  

We were assigned a personal concierge, Nya, who was attentive and helpful throughout our stay. The emphasis on personalised service and RP activities is clearly a primary focus, and I can see how this would appeal to a specific clientele.

The hotel has a classic five-star city hotel vibe.  The closest competitors are probably the Essencia and Bongani, both of which I've reviewed and recommended.

However, unlike those venues, Alux requires guests to go through the full arrival experience, which might not be for everyone. You can’t just show up, and you can’t visit areas like the bar or gardens for free.

Alux boasts a range of amenities, including a beach, pool area, conservatory, spa, rooftop restaurant with RP dining, and cafe. Nya informed us that staff are generally available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM SLT.

We found the indoor lighting too bright - adjusting our environment settings didn't have much impact. Still, the outdoor areas looked better, especially when using a darker environment like "desert sunset." Maya commented that the bright lights detracted from the ambience, making it difficult to create a different mood with the environment settings, and I’d agree.

The overall aesthetic leans towards a 1980s-inspired luxury theme, with plenty of marble and gold accents. This isn’t a subtle look; whether it appeals to you really comes down to personal taste.

Having said that, we particularly enjoyed the pool area and the spa, which offered a more refined atmosphere with a rainfall shower and a salt spa. 

Suite Dreams

We initially booked a king suite for 3000L but were upgraded to the penthouse suite, typically priced at 6000L. Nya clarified that the penthouse rate remains the same whether two or eight people occupy it. 

Compared to the Empire Omerta, where well-designed suites are on offer for under 1000L, or the Essencia, which has rooms for under 500L, the overall suite prices are quite high., whether

That said, the penthouse offers better value for groups, as its three bedrooms (one master bedroom and two rooms with double queen beds) comfortably accommodate six people. It would be suitable for a memorable bachelorette party or a getaway with friends.

The penthouse décor heavily uses PBR textures, creating a modern look with lots of reflections. We did notice a few unfinished details, like empty bathroom stalls that seemed intended for WCs.

The bed was a modified Darkfold Legends model with Lovebridge capabilities, allowing for integration with Lovense devices. A convenient tablet in the suite allowed us to request housekeeping, room service, and other amenities.

RP and Amenities

Alux takes pride in its RP offerings, and our concierge, Nya, did an excellent job anticipating our needs. Although we didn't partake, several activities like afternoon tea were included in our stay.

This resort clearly caters to those seeking a fully immersive RP experience. Various RP add-ons can be booked when you reserve your room, from private dinners to spa treatments (priced at up to 2500L per person).

Other Considerations

• Privacy is excellent.

• The resort is adult-oriented.

• We experienced no lag issues.

• Room prices start at 3000L per night.

Conclusion

The Alux team is clearly committed to providing top-notch service. However, considering the competition in luxury city hotels, offering self-check-in with lower room rates and a menu of optional RP activities might be a more viable business model.

Having said that, if you are looking for a fully catered RP experience with a group of friends, Alux could be a good fit. 

Website for bookings and more information

A note to readers

Some comments on Facebook have questioned the authenticity of my stay at Alux. See as well my review policy

I want to assure readers that we absolutely did stay at the hotel and experienced the check-in process, amenities, and our suite firsthand. While we received an upgrade to the penthouse suite, our initial booking was paid for in full.

My assessment of Alux is informed by my extensive experience visiting and reviewing over 200 hotels and resorts in Second Life over the past four years, as well as my professional background in the real-world travel industry. To ensure complete independence, I have never accepted free stays, sponsorships, or advertising for any of my reviews.

I fully appreciate the creativity, time, and effort that go into crafting immersive experiences like Alux. However, when a venue charges for its services, it opens itself up to scrutiny and critique. It's important to remember that not every experience will resonate with every individual.

Ultimately, reviews are subjective by nature, but I strive to provide a fair assessment based on my observations and experience.

While we chose not to participate in any RP activities (and never claimed to have done so), my review is based on my genuine impressions of the hotel itself—the pricing, lighting, check-in experience, and overall design. We did, however, commend the look and feel of one of the RP areas, the spa, and noted that service levels were good.

The dialogue included in the review was accurately recorded during my interactions with the staff to provide context and insights for readers. I was particularly impressed by the attentiveness and helpfulness of our concierge, Nya, and made a point of saying so in the piece.

Hopefully, my posts can serve as constructive feedback for hotel owners, offering insights on how they might further enhance their offerings and cater to a wider range of preferences. Hotel owners may want to explore the venues on my recommended list for inspiration and ideas.

I encourage readers to form their own opinions based on their personal preferences and priorities. My aim is to provide helpful information and insights to assist them in making informed decisions about their Second Life travel experiences.