It sounds like they aren't actually getting to the hotel regardless of what I do. So guess my main question is: Are there correct or incorrect routes? And I suppose that has subquestions... Is it possible to not actually solve anything, and does that have negative effects? Is there any way the Hinterlands story connects to the Hotel part of the game, or is it a self-contained story?
No worries, you can find your answer around chapter 18 when everything collides one another. I do believe the choices in hinterlands have changes just with little things with the dialog and relationship. Putting the 12 to rest, retreating the skin, and just give storm a nice time is really my thoughts the best one can do.
edit. But to put it simply, yeah the reach it lol. I felt like i was dancing around your question and that wasn't fair of me
what i can tell you, is that there are 4 tasks you can do, but only have time for 2 or 3. the main point of this chapter, is for you to investigate the mysteries surrounding the hinterlands. as for negatives, the novel isn't far enough to know what are all the outcomes. just try to give the answer that seems right to you.