Hotel Samoa (2010) Board Game

Hotel Samoa is a board game released in 2010 by designer Kristian Amundsen Østby and published by White Goblin Games. The game falls under the economic category and is designed for 3-6 players aged 10 and above. With a runtime of 45-60 minutes, Hotel Samoa challenges players to develop and manage their own tropical resort on the island of Samoa.

Game Components of Hotel Samoa

Game board

66 building tiles

84 ownership markers

30 guest tokens

30 resource tokens

6 player boards

1 first player marker

Rule book

How To Setup Hotel Samoa

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board and ownership markers in their chosen color.

Shuffle the building tiles and place them face down on the board.

Place the resource tokens and guest tokens nearby.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Hotel Samoa, players take turns selecting actions to build and upgrade their resort, attract guests, and earn the most points. The game involves auction/bidding, hand management, memory, and simultaneous action selection. The objective is to create the most prestigious and profitable resort by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Beautiful artwork and components

Replayability with different strategies to explore

Simultaneous action selection adds tension and excitement

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players

Luck plays a significant role in the game

Limited player interaction can make the game feel solitaire at times

Personal Thoughts on Hotel Samoa

Hotel Samoa offers a unique blend of economic strategy and resource management in a tropical setting. The game’s components are well-designed, and the artwork captures the theme effectively. However, the game may not appeal to everyone due to its complexity and reliance on luck. It is worth considering if you enjoy economic games with a competitive edge.

In terms of pricing and availability, Hotel Samoa can be found both new and used online. The game’s pricing may vary depending on the condition and edition. If you are a fan of auction/bidding games and enjoy building and managing your own resort, Hotel Samoa is worth your time. However, players looking for more player interaction or simpler gameplay mechanics may want to skip this title. It is recommended for players who enjoy a challenge and are willing to invest time in mastering its strategies.

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