Escape the lockdown blues in these Second Life resorts
The rainforest by the Lotus Palace Hotel
With several European countries heading into a November lockdown and COVID rates spiking in the US, there’s not going to be much international RL travel for a while.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have a vacation though. Where would you like to go? Fiji? New York? Greece? It’s all there for you in Second Life.
There are at least 20 Second Life hotels and resorts that do an impressive job in recreating an actual vacation experience. So much so that some of them will act as sensory or memory triggers, reminding you of RL experiences.
This post will give you pointers about where you could go with your significant other, or with friends. Some I’ve reviewed, others are still on my review list (I’ve indicated where this is the case).
The first thing to bear in mind is that there are three types of SL hotels and resorts. There are places catering to a particular RP, I am not going to cover those here.
Then there are resort-hotels that allow you to self check-in via a terminal at reception, with no set time to do so. And though you can do things like have an RP spa or dinner treatment, their philosophy is usually to just leave you to it.
Finally there are immersive resorts, built on restricted sims. You book online, get a group tag on the day of arrival, and most then have some kind of check-in time and routine - which could be as involved as a half hour voice tour.
These places do tend to be more expensive, but most of them also make a pitch for larger groups (which brings the cost down per person).
With all that in mind, here are my ten vacation suggestions (note, prices are per night)
Self-check in resorts
1 - Rizzi on the Beach (see review)
Looking out onto the Rizzi Pool
This is where I now stay in between reviews. Owner Lana de Savoie has done an amazing job in building a vast beachside resort hotel, with two beaches, a spa, a really well designed bar / restaurant, and my favourite pool in SL.
Depending on your reference point, it will probably be different for you, but this place reminded me of resort hotels I used to go to in Dubai.
Prices are low for what you get - 250L for a junior suite and 500L for a massive grand suite. Look out as well for regular specials where group members can get 20% off.
2 - The Lotus Palace (see review)
On the Lotus Palace pool terrace
An Indian themed resort where the hotel is on an island in a lake, and the surrounding land houses a village, rainforest, and lakeside villas. The level of detail here is just astonishing, and everyone needs to experience the Lotus Palace at least once.
Prices range from 100L for a basic treehouse (which does give you access to the hotel facilities) to 750L for the Maharaja Suite.
3 - The Essencia Hotel (see review)
Premier Suite bedroom
The theme here is city hotel with pool and beach. And so the reception very much gives off a four-five star business hotel feel. The bar in the lobby is a favourite place of mine to meet people (pay the bot barkeeper 1L for a drink). The Essencia also has a spa, restaurant, gym, and a pretty garden by the beach.
Rooms range from 150-500L
4 - The Kidaka Resort
I haven’t formally reviewed it yet, but I have stayed here twice.
From the owners of the Lotus Palace, this is an African / Safari themed resort. The owners have clearly been there in person, as it’s a very good copy of places I have seen in Southern Africa.
The safari lodges are excellent value at only 300L a night. There are also hotel rooms at 250L and two ‘glamping’ tents for 100L
5 - Little Santorini
Little Santorini was built by Jasmine Kiyori, who is better known for her Far East-themed Urban sims.
I have yet to stay here, but I have seen it, and it looks beautiful. As the name suggests,. it’s all about Greece.
There is no hotel as such, but there is a rental office on the island. So the parallel would be renting self catering villas on a mediterranenan island.
Prices range from 995 to 1675L
Immersive resorts
6 - Lush Tulum (see review)
Azul Cafe / Restaurant terrace
A Mexican / Yucatan themed beach resort, the villas are some of the best I’ve seen, the highlight for me was the bathtub with the rainforest view. It also has one of the nicest beaches I’ve experienced in SL.
There’s a cute check-in process, and the owners Luxie and Luna Palmas find just the right balance between making you feel welcome but not being intrusive (something other immersive resorts often don’t get right). The larger villas are particularly suited for groups of friends.
Prices range from 1500-3500L
7 - Lake Alem
Lake Alem villa
At time of writing, this is the place I am staying in and reviewing. This is a mountain / lakeside resort with luxury cabins and various activities, so it has the look and feel of the US Pacific NorthWest, or Canada. Again, it’s group friendly with the largest villa catering for a party of eight.
Prices range from 2000-8000L
8 - Winter in New York
From the team behind Timor Isles (which has now closed for the Winter), Winter in New York is opening on November 6th. Judging from the website there are several hotel options, and like Timor Isles, the emphasis is on extras such as dinner RP.
Prices range from 2500-3500L
9 - Mykonos (see review)
Villa swimming pool
This is another Greek themed resort, with a traditional Greek village ringed by villas (there is also a villa in the island itself with three bedrooms).
When we stayed here, the highlight for us was the underwater experience, including the underwater villas.
Prices range from 800 to 2500L
10 - Off the Coast (Tahiti)
Tahiti is one of a number of Pacific / tropical themed resorts in SL, other examples include Fiji and the Australian style Oasis Resort.
Interestingly, Tahiti SL has its own vineyard, something the RL Tahiti certainly doesn’t have. But this is SL, so Tahitian wine? Why not!
Prices range from 1800 - 3200L
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