Touring Omerta Island in Second Life

It’s been three years since I visited Omerta, a Full region design by Lux Voxel leveraging the additional Land Capacity bonus. Back at that time, the location was called Omerta City (see: A silent city in Second Life), and presented an urban environment of considerable and well-placed detail. Since then, the region has been recreated by Lux as Omerta Island, centred on the Empire Hotel, a place I first dropped into in mid-2023, but didn’t actually get to blog about at the time. As such, correcting that oversight has been long overdue.

Offered as a hotel / vacation / entertainment destination within second life, supported by a detailed website and which has been given added depth through the use of AI NPCs, Empire Island offers the opportunity to mix relaxation and the potential for a little light role-play; and – for those opting to be a guest at the hotel – perhaps discover one or two little secrets.

Discover the unique charm of Empire Omerta by exploring our picturesque island and inviting hotel. Rent our hotel for your special events and join the Empire Omerta group for exclusive member-only benefits. Use our booking form to schedule your memorable stay with us. 

– The Empire Omerta website

From the outset, this is a location to be experienced rather than simply visited; the majority of facilities are open to the public, but there is also Group membership, which brings with it a range of additional benefits. These include: access to secluded member-only locations across the hotel and island, use of hidden entrances, additional curated experiences, participation in contests and raffles, exclusive narrations, and advance notifications of events and activities throughout Empire Omerta (which are also recorded on the calendar located on the region’s website).

To achieve all of this, excellent use of space is made within the region; the ground level is home to the hotel and the majority of its public facilities, with the more exclusive / restricted elements located in the sky. The hotel sits on a small island almost surrounded by tall mountains and wooded shorelines, a single passage offering a glimpse of open seas beyond, suggesting the hotel sits within a deep water bay cutting into the coast of somewhere.

Visits commence on a pier extending out from the east side of the island, giving the impression that one has just disembarked the hotel’s de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter moored at the pier with engine running, have just flown in. A short walk along and up the pier and boardwalk, passing through a small “arrivals” area and then a more impressive “gatehouse” to reach the hotel’s main entrance.

Passing through these will expose visitors to their first opportunities to become members at the Hotel – as noted, this is not required for casual visits (or for renting one of the hotel’s luxury suites), but it’s worth touching them just the hear the svelte tones of the greeter once more, if you missed it on arrival! And, obviously you can join at any time during a visit, should you wish.

The lobby of the hotel will bring you into contact with one of many AI NPCs to be found throughout – Vinny, the hotel receptionist, who will greet arrivals as they enter and can be engaged in light conversation and answer questions. The foyer provides access to the the hotel’s gift shop and library and, after passing through the hall providing information on the hotel’s services and details on the individually designed feature suites, visitors can find Vitali’s restaurant – also a destination in its own right, offering free seating of a “live” dinner service if a reservation is booked. The bar here is overseen by Jimmy, a fairly smooth-talking barman with a Sinatra-like sense of style and who’ll mix / pour you a drink / get you nibbles to feed on, when you select something from the menu.

It’s at the back of the hotel that visitors can find the elevators serving the hotel suites and sky-located facilities. The suits can be accessed free-of-charge for a 3-minute period to preview – although it is worth reading the descriptions for them found in the hall linking hotel lobby with the elevator / back of the hotel to get an understanding of their theme and features (those already rented are indicated here as well).

Staying in a suite provides access to all of its facilities, together with 150 LI with which to rez your own items, if required, with the daily rates again displayed in the hotel’s hallway. Room rental provides privacy and access to facilities and options exclusive to guests (hint: there are some hidden (adult) specialities waiting to be discovered  – particularly in the case of the Cardinalis, you’ll just need to be a bit of a bookworm (so to speak) to discover the secret.

The elevators also provide access to the hotel’s Dance Club (open to all) and facilities such as the spa (with sushi bar!), gym, cinema and casino which are restricted for members only use. Details on the various experiences to be found within the setting can be found on the website, which includes a glimpse of upcoming experiences as well.

My passion is creating unique experiences around the hotel for both individuals and couples to enjoy. I’ve been dedicated to custom work for years and I’m excited in curating experiences like Vitali’s, where I blend custom audio, scripting, graphics, and more to craft something truly special. 

– Lux Voxel, creator of Omerta Empire

Outside of the hotel proper is still more to be found and enjoyed by members, guests and non-members alike. These include a ribbon beach running around the south-east arc of the island’s coastline, sun decks and gazebos, a wedding chapel, reserved outdoor dining, a little art gallery / walk set between two glazed gazebos, and more. One of the more unusual is the outdoor venue, where a stage has been set-up in the space once occupied by a car wrecking yard, the sad remains of former cars and trucks now repurposed as a wall to help keep the wind out while the neighbouring water tower has also bee repurposed as a neat little romantic look-out point. The wrecking yard stage area is balanced on the south side of the island by another outdoor stage area located alongside the chapel.

Piers close the the one serving the hotel’s air taxi offer jet skis for use be group members, free diving into the water, fishing (catch and release!), all of which can be found at the Old Port, whilst the Tattoo Parlour to the rear of the hotel, and with is own street-side access,  includes an elevator that will deliver visitors to Lux’s Meshmafia in-world store. Also accessed separately from the hotel is the local photo studio, which includes rates for photoshoots ranging from a profile headshot through a couple’s scenic photoshoot to full wedding / event photoshoot.

Richly detailed, with friendly service – my sincere thanks to Lux for he welcome and support throughout my visit and his patience in answering my questions – Empire Omerta is a genuinely engaging Second Life location with a lot to see and enjoy, including a very active events calendar. Should you enjoy your time visiting and fancy indulging yourself over the upcoming Christmas holiday period, be sure to enquire about Empire Omerta’s Christmas Gala, featuring 3 hours of live entertainment!

Slurl Details

• Omerta Island (Omerta, rated Moderate)