My builds - Jude525

So, I've gone ahead with the resort option of the Hanging Gardens project. @Jessabeans I saw what you meant about the restriction when I discovered the need for a "tower." I got around that by burying a beach tower under a better structure and running some stairs down to the basement to keep it available for functionality. I'm pretty sure there's no reason to ever go down there in normal gameplay, and once I start game testing it I'll minimize the available space to keep Sims from loitering down there. But, otherwise, I think everything else is do-able without effecting my theme.

Here is a peek at how it is coming along...

https://i.imgur.com/z2FopfA.jpg?1

The "requirements" for a resort, as I understand them, are met. The pool is inside the main pyramid. There is a bar area to the lower right, across from the "party area." As mentioned, the tower is buried under the building to the left, with the check in desk and dining area on the main floor. The second floor holds the gym. The flat topped building in the center is a premium room, with en suite. A couple basic rooms are across to the far back left, with a shared bathroom in a separate building between them. (Not sure if that works, but I liked the concept.) Finally, in the far back there will be a wedding area.

This is a view from the opposite side, showing the standard rooms to the right and the premium room on the left.

https://i.imgur.com/17UNYJK.jpg?1

There will also be a secluded spa area on the right of the pool area with a couple massage tables and a sauna. I am trying to leave the back of the property pretty much empty so that the lot can be easily placed on a beach front lot. Assuming that there exists a 64x64 beach front lot somewhere in some world!

Right now I suppose it is a couples' only resort. I'm not sure what to do if a family checks in. I'll work that out in play testing. I have room to make adjustments if necessary.

I've got the gym and a pool bar. Thanks for the heads up on the firepits. I probably would have tossed one in just out of habit. They tend to show up on most of my properties. Especially since I've learned that you don't have to place all the chairs. Extra chairs will mysteriously appear as needed, the way things do in the Sims.

Based on the availability of blueprints, I assumed a bar, "party area" and wedding/chapel area are benefits as well. Of course, this is only relevant if I want to play as the resort owner. If I am simply going to place it and let my Sims vacation there, the details are less relevant. As long as they can check in and find a bed to sleep in. Although, since Michaela and Laz are both alien, they don't even need to sleep.

But, now that it is almost done, I do think Michaela and Laz will be having their wedding there. So, the chapel area will probably get some decent attention.

Wow, almost a month! Well, game update. Michaela and Laz have married and have two children, Zach and Sondra.

More relevant to this thread, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon Resort is complete and has been play tested. I think I've mentioned before that I've been lax in the past about play testing builds. Square rooms are generally safe. Luckily, I have NRaas's Overwatch installed. Because I got routing warnings night and day after opening the resort. I did several things trying to resolve the problem, from moving several plants, to building walls to keep Sims out of some planting areas completely.

Nothing was working. Then it occurred to me to check the "buried" resort tower. Sure enough, resort staff kept getting stuck when exiting the back doors of the building. I opened up the space around the building by a couple squares and suddenly all the routing notices were gone. By that point I chose to leave all the changes in place. Some actually made the build nicer.

The only thing I'm still keeping an eye on is that when I first visited the resort, after about a week of operation, the game had generated trash on the roofs of buildings, where maintenance staff couldn't get to it to clean. But, after I manually relocated it to ground level, I have not seen it happen again. Which is a relief. I couldn't imagine creating access to all the terraces of the ziggaraut.

I need to set aside some time to do a "photo shoot" before posting the build. But, here are two teaser shots:

https://i.imgur.com/z2FopfA.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/17UNYJK.jpg?1

Actually, these shots are not of the completed build. All the buildings are complete and as shown. But there is a LOT more landscaping and some of the service areas have changed, ie: the hot tub, the wedding area, and an interactive spa area. I promise to post it within the week.

It is great that you have finished the Hanging Gardens of Babylon Resort ! :) Other simmers have also had the issue that there needs to be free space around the hidden resort tower.
The teaser photos of the build look very nice! :) Very nice exterior designs of the buildings! I will look forward to seeing the pictures of the completed resort with the added landscaping work. :)

...skip....

So, here it finally is. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Resort. This is my biggest project to date. link

The lot is categorized a Resort and is 64x64

The inspiration for this build was The Hanging Gardens of Nebuchadnezzar, one of the fabled Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As I've probably mentioned previously, this started out as a concept for a house/mansion. But, as the ziggurat came together, I couldn't see how having the large indoor pool would allow for interior upper floors without detracting from the aesthetic. (Ironically, as I'm typing this, I've thought of a possible solution to that. LOL) I then briefly considered making it a public pool. But it just seemed too grandiose for that. So I decided to build my first resort.

This is going to be a long post. Because there is just SO much to cover. I've opted to use the "Spoiler" option to keep the post from becoming overwhelming. But, with it being a resort, I need to make sure you know where each resort requirement is being met.

Front view
https://i.imgur.com/m8FJXse.jpg?1

Rear view
https://i.imgur.com/ZNCQig3.jpg?1

And, now, something you rarely see here, an actual elevation breakdown. The property is too complex for me to have left this out. Again, I didn't want you to get lost. *smile*

Aerial view
https://i.imgur.com/Lgi5cKm.jpg?1

Main level
https://i.imgur.com/58IyGGs.jpg?1

A - Front desk
B - Cafeteria
C - Billiards table
D - VIP rooms
E - VIP suite
F - Hot tub
G - Party area
H - Bar
I - Pool with Pool Bar
J - Wedding pavilion
K - Massage cabana
L - Sauna

Main Level Tour:

Welcome Center (A, B, C)


VIP area tour (D, E, F)



Facilities (G, H, I, J, K, L)



Upper level
https://i.imgur.com/4LPo400.jpg?1

A - Gym/Game area



Sub-level

The Spanish Resort Tower is buried under the Welcome Center, with an access staircase from the lobby. Fully upgraded, this provides 40 standard rooms and rabbit hole spa services similar to those available in town.

You can also see the glass walled structure of the pool. Oh, and the hot tub structure in the back corner.
https://i.imgur.com/PhunNoU.jpg?1

As an owned resort, I think I've covered all the bases on what is needed/desired. Although my Sims still get wishes to upgrade with duplicate amenities from time to time, my latest rating is 4 stars and rising. Profits are approaching §4,000 per day, after expenses.

One important design decision was to leave the entire back portion of the lot empty so that it can be placed on beach front property, further increasing the value and desirability of the resort. It doesn't really show in the pics, but it is on the side with the wedding arch. If you do this, you may want to place a couple water vehicles on the beach to give Sims a few more activity options. The game may even suggest them through wishes. I don't know. But, overall, it is designed to attain high ratings as is within a desert setting. It was built in Lunar Lakes and would be a perfect fit for Lucky Palms. In Lucky Palms it would be appropriate to place a gaming room in the area reserved for the beach. I would like to offer the extra options as blueprints, but I haven't been able to get the blueprint mod to work lately. If I get it working again, I will try to remember to come back to this option.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Resort is such a very grand and detailed build! :) It has many special feature areas in it! Each area of the build is designed so very well! Very nice exterior design of the building! It looks so very great! The layout of the Resott is very nice. The glass walls in the pool is a great creative idea for the Resort! It was great going on a tour of it through your pictures
It is a very special Resort to either run or to stay at! :)

Thank you @rosemow, I always look forward to your reviews.

I can't wait to see more pictures of the finished build, and to be able to download it. It looks like it will be an awesome addition to Al Simhara. Assuming there's a lot large enough there where it can be placed. :D

@MiaSkywalker, maybe the spoiler headers threw you off. All the pics are in that post and the share link is at the top of the post.