Latest on Aloft hotels in Second Life

We recently highlighted the Second Life experiment – a series of virtual worlds being built by some seriously clever people in the US.

Starwood Hotels has partnered with the creators to build one of its hotels within the system, ahead of a “real” hotel being constructed in a few years time.

It’s a fascinating project.

Recent events have included putting the finishing touches to the exterior of the hotel and its surroundings – a rather nice island, in fact – before heading inside to install everything else a hotel might need.

Perhaps the most bizarre recollections on the creator’s blog – and one that will perhaps reinforce opinions of those critical of the “virtual world” experience and its effects on people – comes in the form of a promotional photoshoot for a magazine.

More updates here in the coming weeks, ahead of the hotel’s grand opening in September

Kevin May, editor, Travolution