While completing the Paris scenario technically gets you to that coveted 5-star level, what about doing it on your own - from scratch? That’s a different challenge entirely. There isn’t one straightforward combination to reach 5 stars, and while the in-game tutorials give you the basics, there’s more to the process than they show. So let’s break it down into bite size chunks, starting with your 5-star shopping list.
Your 5-Star Shopping List
To earn 5 stars, you'll need to check off several critical features and satisfy multiple guest types. Here’s what you should build into your hotel:
- You'll need a gym, a bar, a spa and a restaurant for your guests.
- The standard facilities a hotel needs to run - lobby, workshop, staff room & laundry room.
- Some standard rooms to make some money while you're building your way to 5 stars!
- At least one Upper Crust–friendly room
- Critic satisfaction increasing with each visit
- Experienced staff to help run your hotel
Getting Started
There isn't a strict starting point, but here’s the lowdown on how to combine everything above into a high-performing 5-star layout:
Smart Zoning & Layouts
Organise your space first, lay it out as a blueprint and figure out how many rooms you would like and where. Even thought you might not build it all to start off with as that would demolish your bank balance, its good to have an idea of what you want to build. You do need a functioning hotel to get things off the ground though, so start slow with the basics when actually building!
Cater to All Guests initially!
Balance is key. You need standard rooms for backpackers, Sunbathers, Sporties etc and luxury suites to satisfy the Upper Crust. Start with the achievable rooms, for guests that require lower stars, and then work your way up to the Brats and Upper Crust.
A few rooms with 30+ tiles, premium décor, and luxury furniture will be perfect for Upper Crust - if you are patient, you can do this with just one big room to get that 5 star rating. You can increase the likelihood of a critic staying in the best room if you have a few very nice ones.
Remember!
Check guest preferences using the Guest Profiles tab and try to please everybody generally across the hotel with lots of entertainment and decoration.
Essential Facilities by Star Level
Design your hotel with progressive expansion in mind, move up through the 2 star requirements.
Make sure these facilities are not only present as you build but well-decorated and fully staffed to function at peak quality! As you progress up to 5 stars with facilities, you should already be sneaking towards higher ratings in other areas too.
Staff Makes or Breaks the Experience
Even the most beautifully designed hotel will suffer if the staff isn’t up to par. This can either take time to let your staff learn with xp, or you can fire them and hire staff with higher levels as you increase the rating of your hotel (make sure you have the upgrade tree perks for this though!)
Cleanliness and Decor Matter
Don’t overlook the aesthetic and cleanliness layers! These are really handy to see where your hotel is lacking in both departments. Use plants, art, and furniture with high diamond ratings to boost scores, ensure regular housekeeping coverage across all guest areas, and you must upgrade the furniture in rooms for higher ratings too.
Don't forget seating elsewhere in the hotel either, critics will look for this and they rate higher on the more luxurious seating too!
Keep an Eye on the Critics
To truly earn 5 stars, you must impress the critics. Your hotel's critic score can only go up one star at at time, so achieving 5 stars will come gradually even if you get 5 stars from your first critic. Critics opinions can vary slightly, as they do in real life and with every hotel stay being ever-so-slightly different.
You can get an idea of where is lacking by looking at your critic rating at the end of their stay or following them about and watching as they rate some of their activities.
With this guide as a solid plan, you'll go from blueprint to 5-star luxury in no time!
If you have any questions or need help, be sure to ask in the steam discussions or in our discord server and also be sure to check out our weekly challenge for build inspiration.
Happy Building, and we'll a nice big update for you soon!
- The Hotel Architect Team
