The 3.0 update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the largest free updates the game has ever received. It introduced entirely new systems that give long-time players fresh goals to work toward. Two features quickly became fan favorites: the Resort Hotel and Resetti’s Cleanup Service.
Both features are tied to island progression, which is why some players unlock them immediately while others wonder if something is broken. This guide walks through everything step by step, so you know exactly what to do.
What Is the Resort Hotel?
The Resort Hotel is a brand-new facility introduced in Update 3.0, located at the far end of your island’s pier. It’s operated by Kapp’n and his family, with Leilani welcoming guests and Grams running the souvenir shop.
At its core, the hotel is a creative side activity similar in spirit to Happy Home Paradise:
- You decorate themed guest rooms for visiting characters
- Each completed room earns you Hotel Tickets, a new currency
- Those tickets can be exchanged for exclusive furniture, décor, and clothing not found anywhere else
The hotel gives experienced players something meaningful to do each day, without pressure, design at your own pace, unlock rewards gradually, and enjoy the creativity.
The Core Requirement: A 3-Star Island Rating
The most important thing to know is this:
You need at least a 3-star island rating to unlock the hotel.
There is no confirmed requirement for 4 or 5 stars. Many players with exactly 3 stars have successfully unlocked the hotel, which tells us that higher ratings are not necessary.
However, the star rating alone isn’t enough.
You Must Have K.K. Slider’s First Concert
Reaching 3 stars only triggers the next phase of the game. To fully qualify for new 3.0 content, you must also:
- Have K.K. Slider perform his first concert on your island
Once that concert happens, your island officially enters the post-game phase, and this is when many new systems unlock behind the scenes.
Kapp’n Is the Real Progress Check
A very reliable way to tell if you’re far enough into the game is Kapp’n.
If Kapp’n is standing on your pier offering boat tours, that’s a strong sign your island meets the minimum progression requirements.
If Kapp’n hasn’t appeared yet, it usually means:
- You haven’t reached 3 stars and
- You haven’t completed K.K. Slider’s first concert
Until Kapp’n shows up, the hotel likely won’t either.
Why Some 3-Star Islands Still Don’t See the Hotel
If you meet all the requirements but the hotel still hasn’t appeared, here are the most common reasons:
- Your game isn’t fully updated to version 3.0
- You haven’t logged in on a new day yet (some features trigger during daily announcements)
- You haven’t progressed naturally after unlocking Kapp’n
Once everything is in place, Isabelle will eventually announce that a resort hotel is opening. This doesn’t always happen immediately, so a little patience may be required.
Activating the Hotel: Designing Your First Room
When the hotel opens, you’ll be asked to design your first guest room for Leilani.
This step is important, it officially activates the hotel’s systems. Until you complete that first design, many features remain locked.
Hotel Progression: What Unlocks Over Time
The resort hotel is designed to be unlocked gradually, not all at once.
At first, you can:
- Design only two rooms per day
- Earn hotel currency once per day
As you continue designing rooms, your hotel catalog expands. Once you’ve completed eight total guest rooms, several major features unlock:
- You gain the ability to re-edit rooms you’ve already completed
- Your hotel furniture catalog reaches its full size
- The amiibo scanner becomes available
- The VIP suite unlocks, allowing you to invite special characters or villagers of your choice
Until those eight rooms are finished, designs are permanent, so it’s normal to feel a bit cautious early on.
Unlocking Resetti and the Cleanup Service
Now let’s talk about Resetti. Just like the hotel, Mr. Resetti appears to require at least a 3-star island rating.
Players with two stars or fewer consistently report that they cannot find him at all.
How to Know Resetti Is Available
Resetti doesn’t announce himself right away. Instead, you’ll know he’s unlocked when:
- You receive a letter from Resetti
- He begins wandering somewhere on your island
He won’t be indoors (so don’t check the museum or shops), but he can be in almost any outdoor area, sometimes tucked away in corners that are easy to miss.
Using Resetti’s Cleanup Service
Once you talk to him for the first time, things get much easier.
After that:
- You can summon Resetti through Isabelle at Resident Services
- Each cleanup costs 60,000 Bells
- Using the transceiver lets him come directly to your location
Interestingly, calling him to wander your island is free, which means you can use him purely as a fun roaming NPC if you want more activity around your island.
If You Can’t Find Resetti Yet, Try This
If you have 3 stars but still haven’t seen him:
- Double-check that your game is updated to 3.0
- Look for his letter, no letter usually means he’s not unlocked yet
- Give it time; he doesn’t spawn instantly for everyone
Many players report spotting him near Resident Services, but his location is random, so patience helps.
Final Thoughts
Both the resort hotel and Resetti are tied to natural progression rather than obscure tasks. If you’ve:
- Reached 3 stars
- Seen K.K. Slider’s first concert
- Have Kapp’n on your pier
- Updated to version 3.0
Then you’re on the right track, even if things haven’t triggered yet.
These features were designed for established islands, not early-game players, and once they unlock, they add a surprising amount of depth and personality to your daily gameplay.
