Review - Alpha Beach ⭐️
Summary
Note, this has now shut
Alpha Beach is a new Balinese themed beach development from the team behind Bali Virtual.
As the name suggests, it's a beach island, with standard SL beach activities. There are also a number of cabins to rent.
Aurelia (Aurelia Von Troubles) and myself went to check out out, and overall really liked what's on offer.
It explicitly markets itself as a couple's spot, and that's probably what it's most suited for.
I highly recommended it, the SLURL is here, and you can also find out more info on the website.
Overall look and feel
Alpha Beach is vaguely Balinese with some statues in front of the Warung (restaurant / bar), but it's probably more accurate to say that it's more of a generic tropical beach experience.
Regardless, it's nicely done and manages to pack quite a lot in without being too busy (one of the main criticisms I have of resort sims).
The landscaping is good, Alpha Beach uses quite an environment / windlight that really works, and the cabins are simple but still good.
I should also add that the Alpha Beach website is visually hands down one of the best SL resort websites out there, the owners of Bali Virtual clearly know how to design sites (or have used someone who does).
Overall - 4.5 / 5
The rooms
There are a dozen of so cabins on offer, which are small but have pretty much everything you need, in terms of a bedroom, seating area, balcony, and a full bathroom.
For me, having a bathroom adds extra realism. Outside of doing these reviews, I actually now don't stay at places that skip this, so well done for Bali Virtual for adding one.
One thing that I wish Bali Virtual wouldn't have done is add ban lines around the cabins. IMO these are unsightly, and individual security units are better. Note the ban lines for all cabins vanish if you rent one and join the group.
Cabins cost 500L a week.
Overall - 4/5
Facilities
The main "facility" is of course the beach, which has various chill out and seating areas, all geared towards couples, with suitable PG and adult anims.
The beach also has a surf area where you can rez surf boards.
There's also a Warung, a Balinese style restaurant, though the interior has London posters on the walls. Does it matter? I don't think so, I still liked it, and so long as you don’t arrive expecting to see Bali, it works.
Then there's quite a small swimming pool, though I imagine most visitors won't use it, given the expansive beach.
Overall - 4/5
Other considerations
As mentioned, Alpha Beach is couples friendly and adult, this is not a place for families. For example, the beach shower is 'not mine' compatible.
Lag was not a factor for me, I use a 2019 Macbook Pro.
Cabins cost 500L and can be rented via the rental unit out front. You can then add other tenants.
You can rez here (objects auto return in an hour), so you may want to consider Alpha Beach as a photo location.
Overall
Highly recommended. It's well designed, with lots of things to do, and the cabins are fairly basic but good.
Go and take your significant other, spend an afternoon or morning there, or go one step further and rent a cabin for an SL beach mini-break.
Thanks to the beautiful Aurelia for her help with the pictures. If you don't already follow her amazing Flickr feed, you should.