Hotel is a classic board game that was released in 1974 by designer Geoffrey Hayes and artist Denys Fisher. It is a competitive economic game where players buy and develop hotels in order to earn the most money. The game has been enjoyed by players for decades and has become a staple in many board game collections.
Game Components of Hotel
Board: A 3D board that players build upon during the game, featuring various spaces for buying land, obtaining planning permission, and building hotels.Buildings and Facilities: Cardboard buildings with plastic bases and roofs, leisure facilities, and entrances.Title Deeds: Detail the costs and requirements for each property.Money: Banknotes in various denominations.Dice: Standard dice for movement and special dice for obtaining planning permission.Player Tokens: Colored cars.
How To Setup Hotel
To set up the game, place the Bank and Town Hall on their designated spaces on the board. Each player chooses a car token and places it on the “car park” starting space. The banker distributes $12,000 to each player in specific denominations. Players then decide who starts, with play proceeding clockwise.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Buying Land: Players can buy adjacent unowned properties when they land on purchase squares.Planning Permission: Obtain permission using a special dice; if denied, the player must wait for a later turn.Building Hotels: Build the main building, then additional buildings and facilities, each with specific costs.Adding Entrances: Place entrances on the board to charge other players who land on them; each entrance can only be placed on a space bordering the hotel’s land.Collecting Income: Players collect $2,000 when passing the Bank and charge opponents for staying at their hotels based on the hotel’s star rating.Auctions: If a player cannot afford payments, they must auction off their properties to the highest bidder.Objective: The goal is to be the last player remaining by driving opponents into bankruptcy through high hotel charges and strategic property development.
Player Experience
Hotel offers a fast-paced and engaging experience, often described as a quicker version of Monopoly with a unique 3D building aspect. Players enjoy the visual appeal of the game, though the flimsy components can be a downside. The game requires attention and strategic thinking, but it is not overly complex, making it suitable for casual gamers and families.
Pros
Visual Appeal: The 3D board and buildings are visually appealing and fun to build.Fast-Paced: Games typically last around 45 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable experience.Strategic Depth: While not overly complex, the game requires strategic thinking in terms of property development and financial management.Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up, making it a great game for families.
Cons
Flimsy Components: The cardboard buildings and plastic pieces can be delicate and prone to damage.Busy Board: The board can be cluttered, making it easy to overlook important details or knock over buildings.Limited Strategy for Hardcore Gamers: The game may not offer enough strategic depth for serious gamers.
Personal Thoughts on Hotel
Hotel is an excellent choice for families, casual gamers, or anyone looking for a fun and relatively quick board game experience. While it lacks the complexity to appeal to hardcore strategists, its unique 3D building mechanic and fast-paced gameplay make it a delightful addition to any game collection. It’s a great game to pull out on a rainy day or for a light-hearted game night with friends and family. If you find it at a second-hand store, it’s definitely worth picking up.
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