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

Player boards

Price cards

Tourist cards representing different nationalities

Hotel upgrade cards

Money tokens

How To Setup Hotel Samoa

To set up the game, each player receives a player board and a set of price cards. The tourist cards and hotel upgrade cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player starts with a certain amount of money. The objective is to prepare the game environment so that players can begin bidding and managing their hotel.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Bidding: Players simultaneously choose a price card to play, which determines both their bid for building a hotel upgrade and the price they set on their hotel.

Tourist Placement: Players aim to place tourists of varying nationalities in their hotel to maximize profits.

Hotel Management: Upgrading the hotel to attract more tourists and increase revenue.

Objective: The goal is to earn the most money by efficiently managing hotel upgrades and tourist placements.

Player Experience

In Hotel Samoa, players engage in a dynamic and competitive environment where strategic decision-making is crucial. The game involves balancing the need to upgrade the hotel with the necessity of pricing rooms attractively to lure tourists. The simultaneous bidding mechanism adds an element of unpredictability, as players must anticipate and react to their opponents’ moves.

Pros

Interactive and Competitive: The game encourages active engagement and competition among players.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance short-term gains with long-term strategy.

Variable Player Powers: The different price cards and hotel upgrades offer varied strategies.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last around 45 minutes, making it a great option for a casual game night.

Cons

Luck Element: The draw of tourist cards can introduce an element of luck, which may not appeal to all players.

Limited Theme Depth: The luxury hotel theme might not be as immersive for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Hotel Samoa

Hotel Samoa is ideal for those who enjoy strategic bidding games and hotel management simulations. It’s a great fit for families and casual gamers looking for a game that offers a balance between strategy and luck. However, it may not be the best choice for players seeking deeply thematic games or those who prefer games with minimal luck involvement. If you’re looking for a fun, interactive game that’s easy to learn but challenging to master, Hotel Samoa is a solid addition to your game collection.

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