Six hotels and resorts for Xmas
Taken at Poconos by Aria Christen
Looking for a Second Life vacation spot for the Festive season? Here are six hotels and resorts that Aria and I have been to and that you may want to consider. Each has something different to offer, and will suit a variety of budgets.
Photos for Poconos, Ritz, Essencia and Fete Venice by Aria Christen, rights reserved.
TONAL Chantily via the Tonal Studios Facebook page.
The Poconos Ski Resort
If you want a snow filled ski and winter sports resort with lots of RP activities on offer, this is a great choice.
Created by Second Life resort veterans Highlife Destinations (who ran SL Las Vegas over the Summer), this is a closed resort, meaning you need to book via the website. You then get a group tag on check-in.
This is actually the third year that the Highlife team has run Poconos, but the good news is that it looks quite different to last year, so if you’ve been before, definitely go again.
The lodges are nicely kitted out, there is lots to see and do, and you can also book RP spa and dinner services.
(Full reivew to come)
Rooms and suites start at 2000L
Website for bookings and more info
The Ritz Second Life
The very grand and luxurious Ritz SL Hotel now has snow in the grounds, providing it with a festivel feel. The hotel is loosely based on historic five star hotels you see in major European cities (like the Ritz Paris). It combines a mix of modernity and tradition, and the design and furnishings are excellent
Over the Summer it was also refurbished, with a number of features (such as tunnels you can go and explore) added to it.
This is a hotel where you check yourself in, so it’s not RP based. However, there are regular events including live music in the Hitchcocks Bar.
The bar is open to everyone, but to get into the Hotel itself you need to be a guest or buy a day pass.
Rooms and suites start at 500L
TONAL Chantily
This is a French countryside themed community and resort inspired by the RL Château de Chantilly. The main part is the Château de Chantilly, which is an absolutely vast structure containing suites, dining and bar areas, and even a museum.
The grounds meanwhile feature a racecourse with regular race events.
You could easily spend several days here and not get bored, there are lots of little detalls, and the basement spa is a real highlight.
TONAL also gives you the opportunity to take part in hunting (with horses and dogs) in the surrounding countryside.
It’s possible to turn up and book a room yourself, or you can do it via the website. Rooms and suites start at 500L
(Full review to come)
Fete Venice
This isn’t Winter themed as such, but it’s brand new and won’t be around forever, so it’s worth going soon before it shuts.
Fete Venice was built by the owners of the restaurant of the same name. Recreating an RL place (especially a city) in SL is hard, and the owners have done a fantastic job. Really, they have got so many details right.
The hotel rooms / suites are located around the lagoon, and start at 1500L
You can obviously book RP dinner, and also a spa service - in fact, Fete offers one of the best restaurant experiences in SL, so a dinner booking is recommended.
Fete Venice website (this is a private resort, book via the website)
The Essencia Hotel
The Essencia is probably the closest we have seen to a modern five star city hotel in terms of realisim. It looks and feels the part, and the experience is immersive, it draws you in.
Owner Sergio and Manager Kira are also constantly adding new features and enhancements. Last time we were there, they showed us the brand new rooftop breakfast bar and conference room.
This hotel is self check in (either via the terminal at reception or the website). Some of it, such as the excellent mezzanine bar, are open to the public, while other areas, such as the spa are restricted to guests. You can also book an RP dinner in the restaurant.
Rooms start at 250L
Fairfield Bed and Breakfast
The Fairfield B&B is part of an area called Seogyeoshire. inspired by the English countryside.
The guest house is basic but cozy, with a downstairs sitting area and kitchen and two upstairs bedrooms to rent for only 15L. But it does a good job in mimicking an actual bed and breakfast.
The surrounding area includes farms, pubs and a country house called Claydon Park, which operates an automated horse and carriage tour.
There’s also a train station, where you can take a train to explore the surrounding area, and last time we were there we even saw a Christms themed bus, which also gives tours.
We list lots more places on our recommendations page, including beach resorts if that’s how you want to spend your SL Christmas