Escape to Nature at Crowded Retreat
I've seen many Second Life campsites and nature reserves, and Crowded Retreat ranks among the best. Located on the mainland in SL Norway, it feels incredibly realistic. Everything fits together seamlessly, from the well-designed chalets to the lush landscaping. It offers surprisingly good-value accommodation options, including cute Airstream trailers for just 300L a night.
However, while the sim excels in its realistic portrayal of nature, it could benefit from a more vibrant atmosphere and a wider range of activities.
Overall Look and Feel
Crowded Retreat is situated on the mainland in SL Norway, opposite Kaiden and Pandora Tray's New Deer Isle. The landscaping at Crowded Retreat, by Kaiden, is a testament to their skill. This sim is a forest and nature lover's dream, with every detail rendered realistically.
A board at the reception desk will teleport you to the various accommodation options. You can also ask questions of the bot receptionist, who is available 24/7. Even if you're not staying overnight, you can explore the sim and enjoy the amenities.
Wander through the forest and discover chalets nestled among the trees and along the dock. There's a games area, a beach with a swimming and diving zone, and boats you can rent. Horses are available via a Teegle rezzer, and quadbikes offer a fun way to get around.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from cosy airstreams to spacious chalets.
Starting at 300L a night, the airstream is perfect for a budget-friendly couple's retreat. It's small but nicely furnished with a bed (from CS) and a kitchen/dining area.
The chalets (800-1400L a night) are spread across two levels, with a bedroom upstairs. We stayed in one of the cheaper ones nestled in the woods, which offered more privacy than the ones costing 1200L located along the dock. While the dockside chalets have outdoor hot tubs and direct Blake Sea access, they are quite close together, which might be expected in a waterfront setting but may not suit everyone.
The chalets' interior design is well done, with excellent furniture, including beds from CS and showers from Good Moaning.
The Facilities
Facilities include boat docks with rezzable boat stations, rezzable horse stations, a games area, and a swimming area. There's also a heliport if you want to arrive in style.
The facilities could be better signposted, perhaps with a notecard of landmarks provided at reception. The information from the bot receptionist was a bit vague; for example, being AI-powered, she was accurately able to tell me the nearest planet to the Sun but couldn’t give me detailed directions (or a SLURL) to the pool.
There's also potential to do more with the amenities. SNO Airport is nearby and houses private charter companies. Offering charter flights or air and boat transfers could add a unique touch and encourage exploration of the region.
A Touch of Magic?
We both felt that while Crowded Retreat excels in realism, it could benefit from a bit more "magic." Perhaps hosting regular events, like live music performances, could create a more vibrant atmosphere and attract a broader range of visitors.
Other Considerations
The area is moderate, with adult furniture in the accommodation.
Being on the mainland, there was occasional lag, but not enough to seriously impact the experience.
Accommodation starts at 300L a night. A listing at reception details all the options.
Overall
Crowded Retreat is a pleasant nature-based retreat with high-quality accommodation. With a few more additions, it could become a must-visit destination for those seeking a realistic yet engaging, natural escape in Second Life. Recommended.
SLURL to reception: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tokapi/191/206/27
