Love board games? Let’s talk boardgames, lots of board gaming (and a few RPGs). Tabletop Bellhop, your cardboard concierge, is here to answer your gaming and game night questions, helping you make your game nights better with tabletop game reviews and advice.
This episode we talk about board games to get you thinking, and games that are great to play with aging parents. We also share thoughts on trying some of the optional rules in Gnome Hollow and wrap up with two reviews: Courtisans and Santorini 2nd Edition.
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 280, was recorded on September 3rd, 2025. We normally record Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
Find full, detailed show notes at https://tabletopbellhop.com/podcast/ep280/
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Games mentioned may be review copies provided by publishers.
(00:00:00) Checking In
(00:02:58) Ask The Bellhop
(00:31:38) The Bellhop’s Tabletop
(00:39:34) The Game Room – Review of Courtisans
Buy Courtisans: https://amzn.to/4mX1Ccf
Check out the Pandasaurus Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3I2Chyk
Other Pandasaurus Content on our Blog: https://tabletopbellhop.com/search/?q=pandasaurus
(00:55:50) The Game Room – Review of Santorini 2nd ed
Buy Santorini 2nd Edition: https://amzn.to/3HOvQPp
Check out other games from Roxley, like the amazing Brass: https://amzn.to/42o7gvx
Check out our Marvel Dice Throne Review (another Roxley game we love): https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/marvel-dice-throne/
(01:05:56) Closing the Doors
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This episode we talk about board games to get you thinking, and games that are great to play with aging parents.
We also share thoughts on trying some of the optional rules in Gnome Hollow and wrap up with two reviews: Courtisans and Santorini 2nd Edition.
Tabletop Bellhop Gaming Podcast Episode 280 was recorded on September 3rd, 2025. You can join us live on Wednesdays at 8 PM Eastern at https://www.twitch.tv/tabletopbellhop
If you’d like to watch the (slightly less edited) video version of this recording you can jump to the bottom of the post.
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. Using these links costs you nothing extra and helps us offset the cost of producing this show. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the games mentioned in this podcast were provided free by publishers, designers, or distributors.
— Ask The Bellhop: Great Board Games to Play with Aging Parents — [00:02:58]
Nathalie asks us for recommendations on games she can play with her aging mother to “help keep her mind sharp”.
Playing board games, cognitive decline and dementia: a French population-based cohort study
- Splendor
- Azul
- Carcassonne
- Alhambra
- Ticket to Ride
- boop.
- Zensu
- Shobu
- Santorini
- Courtisans
- Land Vs Sea
- Finspan
- Quoridor
- Patchwork
- Blokus
- Qwirkle
- Ingenious
- Memoir ‘44
- Harmonies
- Point Salad
- Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters
- Pandemic
- Horrified
- Hanabi
- Forbidden Island
- The Game
- EXIT Games
- Puzzling Pursuits
- Chronicles of Crime
- Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
- Doomensions
- Ghost in the Machine
- Puzzles
- ESC WELT Puzzle Boxes
- Mechanical Puzzles
- Decorum
- Sagrada
- Traditional Playing Cards
- Thrones of Valeria
- Skull King
- Reign of Dragoness
- Diamonds
- Wizard
- Xylotar
- Sandbag
- The Crew
- Trio
- Cat in the Box
- Crits & Tricks
Honourable Mentions:
Thinky game recommendations from our fans:
Send your questions to questions@tabletopbellhop.com.
— The Bellhop’s Tabletop — [00:31:38]
What we’ve been playing lately:
— Courtisans Review — [00:39:34]
A quick to learn tableau building game about intrigue at the court where players will be manipulating the favour of six families through clever card play.
— Santorini 2nd Edition Review — [00:55:50]
The classic and fantastic abstract strategy game Santorini is back with an all new, easier to learn, better looking, and streamlined edition.
- Buy Santorini 2nd Edition
- Check out other games from Roxley, like the amazing Brass
- Check out our Marvel Dice Throne Review (another Roxley game we love)
—Support our efforts—
If you enjoy our content
- Join the Bellhop Discord.
- Check out our Patreon.
- Shop Tabletop Bellhop merch.
- Buy us a coffee.
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