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Grand Austria Hotel (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Grand Austria Hotel is a board game released in 2015 by Lookout Games. It is designed by Virginio Gigli and Simone Luciani, with artwork by Klemens Franz. The game is set in the late 19th century, where players operate a luxurious hotel in Vienna, Austria, trying to attract guests and fulfill their needs to earn the most points and win the game.

Game Components of Grand Austria Hotel

  • Game Boards: 2 main boards and 4 hotel boards
  • Cards: 120 cards, including guest cards, staff cards, and prestige cards
  • Dice: 14 dice
  • Tokens: 120 food and drink tokens (wooden cubes), 24 wooden discs, and other markers
  • Room Tiles: 84 room tiles
  • Imperator Tiles: 12 tiles for emperor evaluations
  • Victory Point Markers: 4 markers
  • Rule Book** and other setup components.

    How To Setup Grand Austria Hotel

    To set up the game, each player receives a hotel board and prepares three initial rooms. Players also start with an initial guest in their café, some food resources, money, and a small hand of staff cards. Three random Prestige Cards are revealed, setting additional goals for the game. The starting player rolls the dice and places them according to their numbers, readying the game for the first round.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Dice Drafting: Players select dice to perform actions, with the efficiency of actions determined by the number of dice showing the same number.
  • Action Selection: Players choose actions such as preparing rooms, preparing dishes, hiring staff, or gaining emperor favor.
  • Guest Management: Guests require specific rooms and food before they can be checked in, yielding victory points and additional rewards.
  • Emperor Evaluations: The game is divided into 7 rounds, with the emperor evaluating the hotel at rounds 3, 5, and 7, offering rewards or penalties based on performance.
  • Prestige Cards: Players aim to complete prestige goals for bonus points.
  • Staff Cards: Players can hire staff to help manage the hotel and fulfill guest requirements.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Grand Austria Hotel** is a balancing act between preparing rooms, feeding guests, hiring staff, and pleasing the emperor. The game demands strategic planning and adaptability due to the randomness of dice rolls and the availability of cards. Each playthrough is unique, thanks to variable setup elements like reversible asymmetric player boards and different prestige cards. Players must make meaningful decisions about which actions to prioritize, making the game engaging and challenging.

    Pros

  • High Replayability: Variable setup and different objectives ensure a unique experience each time.
  • Deep Strategy: Combines dice drafting with meaningful decisions and multiple paths to victory.
  • Beautiful Artwork: Attractive and thematic illustrations enhance the gaming experience.
  • Quality Components: Thick, linen-textured cardboard and good-quality dice and wooden tokens.
  • Thematic Immersion: Players feel like they are managing a real hotel, complete with the challenges and rewards.

    Cons

  • Complexity: The game can be overwhelming for new players due to the many mechanics and card interactions.
  • Staff Card Iconography: Some staff cards have unclear iconography, requiring frequent rule checks.
  • Player Count: The game is less enjoyable with four players compared to two or three.

    Personal Thoughts on Grand Austria Hotel

    **Grand Austria Hotel** is ideal for fans of Eurogames and those who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate a game with deep mechanics, high replayability, and a strong thematic presence. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, experienced players will find it challenging and rewarding. If you’re looking for a game that combines elegance with strategic depth, **Grand Austria Hotel** is definitely worth considering.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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