High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write (2023) Board Game

High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write is a board game that was released in 2023 by Lookout Games. It is designed by Virginio Gigli, Ryan Hendrickson, and Simone Luciani, with artwork by Klemens Franz. The game falls into the dice-rolling category and is suitable for 2-4 players, with a playing time of 45-90 minutes. The game is set in the bustling world of hospitality, where players compete to build and manage their own luxury hotel.

Game Components of High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write

1 action board

4 double-sided hotel boards

4 double-sided staff boards

4 pens

14 dice

1 start marker

1 rule book

How To Setup High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write

To set up the game, each player selects a random hotel board and a random staff board, both of which are double-sided to ensure high replayability. The action board is placed in the center, and the dice are prepared according to the number of players. Each player receives a pen and their respective boards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics: Dice Rolling

Objective: Players manage a prestigious hotel in Vienna, preparing rooms, accommodating guests, hiring staff, managing finances, and securing the Emperor’s favor.

Gameplay:
– Each round involves rolling dice and placing them on the action board.
– Players draft one die per turn and use the associated action based on the die’s strength.
– Actions include preparing rooms, occupying rooms, hiring staff, and advancing on the Emperor’s track.
– Bonuses are awarded for fully occupying room groups, rows, or columns on the hotel board.
– The Emperor visits at the end of rounds 3, 5, and 7, providing bonuses or penalties based on the player’s progress.

Game Length: 45 minutes

Players: 2-4

Age: 12+

Player Experience

Playing **High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write** involves a mix of strategic planning and simultaneous solitaire activities. Players must carefully choose dice to optimize their actions, balance financial management, and aim to please the Emperor. The game has a race aspect, where being the first to complete rows or columns can yield significant bonuses. The initial games may require learning the tempo of opening and filling rooms, but as players adapt, they can chain actions more effectively to achieve higher scores.

Pros

High Replayability: Different hotel plans and variable staff strips ensure varied gameplay experiences.

Quick Setup and Play: Fast setup and a 45-minute gameplay duration make it accessible for a wide range of players.

Strategic Depth: The game offers complex strategies despite its roll-and-write simplicity.

Thematic Immersion: Players are immersed in the life of managing a prestigious hotel in early 20th-century Vienna.

Cons

No Solo Mode: Currently, there is no official solo mode available, though the designers are working on one.

Initial Learning Curve: New players may find it challenging to optimize their actions and manage resources effectively in the first few games.

Personal Thoughts on High Season: Grand Hotel Roll & Write

This game is ideal for fans of the Grand Hotel series looking for a lighter, yet still engaging, experience. It is also suited for those who enjoy roll-and-write games with strategic depth. While it may not replace the original **Grand Austria Hotel** for some, it offers a condensed and fast-paced alternative that maintains much of the thematic charm and strategic complexity. For new players, it serves as a more accessible entry point into the world of hotel management and dice rolling strategies.

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