Resort

Resort

One of the pre-made resorts in Isla Paradiso, Sparkling Sands

Resorts are a new type of lot introduced in The Sims 3: Island Paradise. Resorts are functionally similar to Hotels from The Sims 2: Bon Voyage as Sims can check in and rest, although one can also own a resort and improve them. There are three pre-made resorts in Isla Paradiso, although Sims can also build one of their own.

Checking In

Sims can simply check in using the front desk. From there, they can choose between staying in the Standard Tower Room or the Luxury Suite. Standard rooms are generally cheaper, although Sims has to stay in the resort rabbit hole. Luxury suites can be considerably more expensive, although the rooms will usually contains more amenities. Sims that own the resort can enjoy resort amenities for free, however.

Owning a Resort

Sims can also own a resort by simply using their mobile phone (smartphone if University Life is installed) or computer and use the "Real Estate" option to purchase a resort. Hobart's Hideaway in Isla Paradiso is free for first-time resort owners. Alternatively, Sims can click on the icon of the resort they would like to buy and purchase it directly.

Improving a Resort

A resort can be improved in a number of ways.

What does a Resort need?

For a resort to obtain a five-star rating, one need to have a number of objects at the resort. Note that with more objects comes more maintenance, so check the resort finances through the front desk or computer from time to time. Depending on how much you can afford, there will be differences in how much you can have but for the best resort, you will need:

• A front desk and a resort rabbit hole so that the resort can run properly.

• Bedrooms for visiting Sims to sleep in. One can either purchase rabbit holes or manually build the bedrooms themselves.

• A dining area for hunger-related needs. This is done with the new buffet table found under "Community Objects" in Build Mode.

• A gym. Note that only the treadmill and strength trainer count as gym equipment at this point.

• A pool area of acceptable size. Sims will complain that the pool is too small, so don't make it tiny. One might also want to put a pool bar, pool slide, waterfall and a diving board to improve aesthetics.

• A ballroom which involves a Wedding Arch and chairs.

• A bar for drinks. The bar can be a normal bar, pool bars or a professional bar if Late Night is installed.

• A game room may also help guest satisfaction. Try adding arcade machines to give more recreational activities.

• Recreation and other miscellaneous objects. Objects include hot tubs, deck chairs, drink stands and decorative objects. (Sims will comment on how much you landscape your resort, so don't ignore it.)

Star Rating

Sims can check the resort's star rating by selecting View Resort Reviews from the Resort Management pie menu.

Obtaining five stars will depend on a number of factors. If the resort is built from scratch, the resort will initially start out with no stars. Pre-built resorts will usually start out with a few stars at the beginning.

Every day at 7:00 am, the resort will either gain or lose half a star, or remain at the same star level depending on how many customers liked the resort. Resorts can only gain or lose the maximum of half a star, no matter how much one improve the resort.

Along with the updated star rating, the resort will get a few reviews commenting on what is good (or isn't) about the resort. These reviews come in the form of short sentences, which though brief, get to the point and gives one an idea on what the resort needs to improve.

Finances

Owning a resort costs one, not just from purchasing new objects and improving existing ones but also through maintenance. Ideally, the resort payout should be higher than maintenance costs so one are making a profit, but if it isn't one might want to consider the following:

• Workers to manage the amenities at your resort. One for the front desk, one for every bar, every pool bar and every drinks stand. Maintenance crews is also needed to fix and repair broken objects (which three can be hired up).

• Buffet tables don't magically make food appear. One need to pay upkeep for every buffet table that you own. How much one pay depends on how many tables you have and the quality of the food. Changing the type of food doesn't change the upkeep, but, it is ideal to have a few buffet tables for variety or Sims will complain. Bars also need upkeep in the form of the quality of the drinks one serve.

• Hot tubs and pools have costs too. For hot tubs, this depends on how hot the water (tepid or hot) and for pools, it depends on whether one wants to chlorinate the pool.

• Bedrooms will have extra upkeep from the toggling of room services and spa treatments.