Neon, Nostalgia, and Naughty: Ikisou City and its Love Hotel
A friend humorously suggested I compile a guide on the finest spots for complimentary "romantic encounters" in Second Life (SL). Indeed, she argued, isn't that a common reason for hotel visits in both the virtual and real worlds?
There's an element of truth to that, of course, and coincidentally, I've found a perfect inclusion for such a hypothetical guide: The Eroyado Love Hotel in Ikisou City.
Yet, I'll take it a step further.
Yes, this venue caters to adult interests, featuring animations at every turn. However, Ikisou City's broader area stands out as one of the most creatively and meticulously crafted regions I've encountered in SL. Its appeal transcends adult themes, making it a destination worthy of exploration by anyone.
My thanks to Susann de Cuir and her excellent 'Mein Zweites Leben' blog, through which I stumbled upon this gem.
The Ambiance and Design of Ikisou City
Ikisou City mesmerises with its Japanese neon aesthetic, its streets a labyrinth of tightly packed buildings. Each alley reveals a variety of shops, residences, and bars, inviting exploration.
The region is shrouded in a perpetual night-time mist, a setting that amplifies the vibrancy of the shopfronts and neon lights.
Notably, Ikisou City enjoys popularity among Japanese SL residents—a testament to its authenticity. The creator, Jaenessa (ffffyou), has crafted an experience that resonates with genuine cultural nuances.
The Eroyado Love Hotel Experience
Unlike the similarly named Eroyado Hotel in Kiyori City, this hotel offers complimentary access. It features a dimly lit hallway leading to several rooms.
The rooms, while adult-themed, boast designs that, if I were to stay here in RL, I'd really like, mirroring the eclectic style of contemporary art hotels found in major cities.
Each room showcases a unique bed of excellent quality. From the Ruckus bed, which may not be my personal favourite but has its fans, to the well-reviewed Good Moaning bed and the USDesigns Lerna bed—a rare find in SL but a personal favourite of mine.
Additionally, the rooms are equipped with bathrooms featuring INM-Compatible showers. One even includes a Lovense-compatible Xplicit Tantric Lounger.
Yet, the hotel (as well as the region at large) goes beyond the oftentimes vulgar aesthetic of adult venues in SL, setting a high bar for design and attention to detail.
Housed in a skybox, the illusion of being in the main town is convincingly maintained by the street scenes visible from the windows.
Beyond the hotel, the area boasts small apartments accessible for use, maintaining the same high design standard.
Facilities and Features
While the hotel itself is relatively simple, Ikisou City offers much more. Highlights include an expansive Onsen, a modern, clean pool I found particularly appealing, various bars and ramen shops, a waterfront, a subway station, and a mini-mart. The region is well-equipped with teleport points to facilitate navigation.
Practical Information
Ikisou City is designated as an adult area, you can also pick up a sex HUD allowing for animations anywhere, which you can only use in the region.
Despite its level of detail, lag is minimal, and visitors are encouraged to use the highest graphics settings possible.
The rooms are free to use, which means privacy is limited.
Conclusion
Discovering and exploring Ikisou City has been an absolute delight. While the hotel rooms are a draw, the entire region offers many experiences worth exploring.
