Animal Crossing: New Horizons 2026 Update – Unlock All Key Features in Resort Hotel
[Summary] Unlock Every Key Feature in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2026 Resort Hotel Update)
The latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons update, version 3.0.0 – Resort Hotel, is now available for download. This major 2026 update brings extensive new content and is also available for next-gen platforms. Whether you’re returning to your island or playing for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about unlocking key features in one place.
Key Notes:
Players should frequently consult Tom Nook regarding island residents and Isabelle for maintaining and improving the island rating.
Unlockable Stores in the Main Game
Resident Services (Town Hall)
- Starts as a green tent serving as the island headquarters.
- Can be upgraded to a full building once the island has more than 5 residents.
Nook’s Cranny (Shop)
- Level 1 (Small Shop): Available after paying for your initial tent. Speak with Timmy and deliver items to start construction.
- Level 2 (Large Shop): Unlocks after earning 200,000 Bells and building Resident Services (Town Hall).
Able Sisters (Clothing Store)
- Unlocks after Nook’s Cranny Level 1. Spend 5,000+ Bells to unlock Mable and start the store construction.
Museum
- Level 1 (Tent): Donate at least 5 unique bugs to Tom Nook to unlock Blathers’ tent.
- Level 2 (Small Building): Donate 15+ fossils or bugs.
- Level 3 (Large Building): Donate 60+ items (fossils, bugs, fish) to unlock Redd and expand the museum’s second floor.
The Roost (Cafe): Unlocks automatically after Museum Level 3 and achieving a three-star island rating.
Dream Suite – Explore Other Islands
- Sleeping on any bed allows players to visit other players’ islands using Dream Addresses.
- Post-Resort Hotel update, achieving a three-star rating unlocks a personal dream island with online sharing capabilities.
Achieving Three-Star Island Rating
Required actions:
- Build at least 1 bridge
- Have more than 8 residents
- Construct a campground
- Consult Tom Nook regularly for further guidance.
Other tasks include planting flowers, building fences, decorating, and maintaining the island, as instructed by Isabelle.
House Upgrades
Players start with a 4×4 tent and can upgrade through multiple stages by paying off debt:
- Tent → Standard House: 5,000 Nook Miles + 98,000 Bells
- 8×8 House: 198,000 Bells
- Add Back Room 6×6: 348,000 Bells
- Add Left Room 6×6: 548,000 Bells
- Add Right Room 6×6: 758,000 Bells
- Add Second Floor 10×6: 1,248,000 Bells
- Add Basement 10×6: 2,498,000 Bells
Total cost for full house upgrades: 5,690,000 Bells (basement optional if exterior customization is not needed).
Storage Expansion
Storage can be upgraded in stages:
- 2,400 slots: 500,000 Bells
- 3,200 slots: 700,000 Bells
- 4,000 slots: 900,000 Bells
- 5,000 slots: 1,200,000 Bells
- 7,000 slots: 1,500,000 Bells
- 9,000 slots: 1,800,000 Bells
Harv’s Island (Photo Studio)
- Unlocks after having 3+ residents.
- Players can decorate, scan amiibo, and pose characters for photos.
- Includes a flea market featuring NPC shops:
- Harriet: Haircuts and special hairstyles
- Cyrus & Reese: Custom furniture designs
- Katrina: Daily fortune reading
- Tortimer: Item management
- Saharah: Rugs and wallpapers
- Kicks: Shoes, socks, and bags
- Leif: Seeds, trees, and grass removal
- Redd: Art and sculptures
DLC: Happy Home Paradise
- Focused on interior and exterior home design.
- Unlockable after achieving a three-star island rating.
- Allows full control over furniture, character outfits, and photo setups.
Resort Hotel Update Features
- Kapp’n manages the hotel expansion after achieving a three-star rating.
- Design Rooms 1–8 with unique daily themes.
- VIP Room: Unlocks after designing Rooms 1–8, includes guest invitations and retro game consoles (Famicom, Super Famicom, GameBoy).
About Animal Crossing: New Horizons
A charming life-simulation game by Nintendo, players develop a deserted island, fish, catch bugs, craft items, and build homes. Supports local and online multiplayer with animal neighbors joining the fun daily.
