Developer: Pathos Interactive
Publisher: Wired Productions
Platform: PC
Tested on: PC
Hotel Architect – Preview
Summer is almost here, and for many of us, that means going on vacation. But whether your accommodation of choice is a luxury hotel, an all-in resort, or a simple bed & breakfast, have you ever wondered what it’s like to manage such a holiday destination? Or perhaps you have your own ideas on how to improve hotel service to cater to your specific needs. Well, wonder no more! Thanks to Pathos Interactive’s latest game, Hotel Architect, you can dip your toes in the hospitality industry. The game is currently in Early Access on Steam. We opted for an early check-in to see whether Hotel Architect already deserves a 5-star rating.
If the title didn’t already make it clear enough, Hotel Architect is a sim game that lets you design, build, and manage your own hotels. Your lofty goal is, of course, to create a profitable business while keeping guests happy. As with any management sim, there are quite a few parameters to keep an eye on, ranging from the quality of the rooms to the friendliness of staff and even guest entertainment. Keeping up the reputation of your hotel is important, as unhappy guests will leave negative reviews on social media. As if that wasn’t enough, professional critics also visit your hotel every two in-game days. Appeasing them can improve your hotel’s overall star rating, so it’s important to take a look at their feedback and make the necessary adjustments for their next visit. Each evaluation nets you a number of upgrade points with which you can improve your amenities. Those improvements cost time and money to implement as well, so planning ahead inevitably becomes second nature as you try and find the perfect leisure formula to please every type of customer.
There are six types of customers, and they each have their own needs. A Business guest is going to have different preferences compared to a Sunbather. As it stands, your hotels need to cater to the needs of all six types. That means that you’ll end up trying to find the right middle ground. We’re hoping that the full version of the game introduces scenarios and specific hotel types that need to cater to a particular type of guest. As it stands right now, late-game hotels tend to end up being very similar affairs.
On the upside, customizing your hotel is incredibly user-friendly and accessible, provided you have the right amount of cash. Whether it’s remodeling the layout of the rooms, decking them out with new furnishings, or even moving doors and windows around, you can just drag and drop, and your workers will take care of the rest. Just try to avoid disturbing your clientele through construction, as that could net you more negative reviews. Oh, and try to be mindful of your hotel staff’s well-being too. They play an important role in guest comfort after all. A well-rested, well-paid employee is a happy employee, and a happy employee means happy customers. Cheaping out on staff might save you some money in the short run, but if your guests are complaining about rude or even stinky staff, is it worth it in the long run?
The current version of Hotel Architect comprises two modes: scenario and sandbox. The former provides you with an existing hotel that is in dire need of new management. There’s a handy to-do list to check off, with each scenario providing its own set of challenges to overcome. Upon successful completion of a scenario, you’ll unlock the next scenario as well as the sandbox version of the map you’ve just completed. Every scenario is self-contained, so money or upgrade points can’t be carried over to the next map. However, certain goals like getting the full five-star rating for a hotel need to be unlocked by playing later scenarios, so there are reasons to revisit early maps after completing later ones.
Like Scenario mode, Sandbox mode delivers exactly what you’d expect. After setting your starting conditions, including how much money you start with and whether or not you’d like to use cheats, you’re free to let your creative juices flow and build the hotel of your dreams. We’d still recommend playing through the scenarios first, just to familiarize yourself with Hotel Architect’s finer mechanics. Not that Hotel Architect is a game that is difficult to figure out, mind you. This is one of the most user-friendly and accessible sim games we’ve come across in recent years. That’s something that’s emphasized by the game’s cute and cartoony visuals, which are inviting. There are plenty of visual gags to discover too as you’re soaring over your hotel, adding to the cozy atmosphere of the game.
With four maps available currently, the Early Access version of Hotel Architect gives a good impression of what to expect from the full release, although it does feel quite light on content. Right now, you’re looking at around 10 hours to complete everything, although the replay value is on the high side, especially when it comes to Sandbox mode. We’re hoping that future content updates bump up the game’s challenge level, as it’s a fairly easy game. You might fail your first one or two attempts at the first scenario, but once you get to grips with the in-game logic, it’s smooth sailing.
Conclusion
Fans of hyper-realistic, high difficulty sim games won’t find a whole lot to chew on with Hotel Architect. However, anyone looking for a more laid-back take on the genre is going to be thoroughly impressed with what the game has to offer. The core management mechanics are easy to understand, remodelling your hotel is very accessible, and the cutesy, humorous aesthetic adds to the fun and carefree atmosphere. We’re already eagerly awaiting future content, although a higher level of challenge is definitely something we’d like to add to our next booking.
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