Tag: escape hotel
ESCAPE ROOMS – Escape Hotel The Attic – CA
The Attic at Escape Hotel is a well designed, story-driven, immersive experience. It is a really fun game. I had a blast playing and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good scare while solving puzzles.
ESCAPE ROOMS – Escape Hotel: Jack Reacher – California
I want to start off by letting you know that Escape Hotel offered free tickets to the general public on their website to play the Jack Reacher game for beta testing purposes and I that is how I booked tickets for this experience.
I didn’t know anything about Jack Reacher going into this escape room experience (aside from Tom Cruise being in the movie) and I didn’t learn anything about the story from playing the game either. I would recommend at least watching the movie trailer before playing the Escape Hotel’s Jack Reacher room if you want some idea of what the story is meant to be about. There isn’t really any story given to you for gameplay, however I think it’s assumed that the story is there from players’ prior knowledge of it. My team did mention that they didn’t think the room had anything to do with the movies aside from familiar faces in pictures used in some of the props. There is a video at the beginning of gameplay outside of the rooms we were locked in with the mascot of Escape Hotel talking, but I wasn’t really able to hear it because it wasn’t loud enough. That video might have given some of the information I was looking for, but alas I don’t know. There was an attempt at immersion through the use of blindfolds and environment, but it would have been much stronger if the story was made clear.
The room layout was interesting. We started out blindfolded and were placed in three different cells where we worked to escape our small cells into a larger room to work together to solve the final objective. It was unclear to us that the objective was not to escape the room. Since we entered blindfolded, later in the game I accidentally opened the exit door while exploring because I didn’t realize it was the exit door.
Puzzles. There were a few puzzles in the room. I hate to be too critical of puzzles since this was a beta test situation. I always try to be forgiving of small glitches and tech issues when testing a game prior to ticket sales opening up to the public and in this case we only had one, so I won’t elaborate on that. I will say that the room has some tech and I assume it will work wonderfully once the room is officially open for ticket sales. There weren’t very many puzzles for the length of the game. They all seemed fairly simple aside from one major puzzle that stumped our group until we asked for a hint. Once we were looking in the right place, we easily understood the rest of them. Sometimes I am not sure if it is fair to say that puzzles are easy when I am playing with experienced teammates because we’ve been exposed to so many different puzzles. However this time, along with my husband and a friend, I had two random teammates that had never played an escape game before and they didn’t have any trouble with the puzzles either. Again I want to stress that since we played during beta testing, it is very possible that the puzzles will change or more puzzles may be added to the game.
The rooms decor was not as elaborate as I expected. One of my favorite things about Escape Hotel is the amazing lobby. Unfortunately the beautifully themed lobby is not a reflection of the decor in the games that I have seen at this location including Jack Reacher. It was rather plain and parts of the set dressing was already falling apart. The props looked a little more like handmade craft projects than professionally designed props. It’s disappointing that the game itself isn’t more elaborately decorated since it seems the purpose is to promote the movie and give customers a “Hollywood” experience.
This game is a ticketed game, meaning you buy a ticket and may be playing with random customers that also bought a ticket. Normally I dislike playing with strangers, but our team ended up being a lot of fun. There were five of us, which was more than enough to play the game. There were times where there wasn’t really enough for all of us to do. I will say we had fun playing the game together though.
We escaped in time and then waited for the game master to come congratulate us. She did not, so after an uncomfortable amount of time we exited the room ourselves and made our way back downstairs to retrieve our phones from the lockers behind the check in desk. The receptionist called the game master on her walkie talkie and she came out and apologized for not coming up to get us and explained that there is a blind spot in the room, so she didn’t know we had escaped.
If you haven’t played an Escape Hotel room before, be prepared to arrive 30 minutes early and fill out a waiver and create your passport. Also leave plenty of time for unexpected traffic and parking. There are paid lots nearby and some street parking. This location is also easily accessible by metro.
I can’t stress enough that this experience was a FREE BETA TEST and may or may not reflect the experiences of those that pay to play the Jack Reacher game once they officially start selling tickets to the public. I am curious to hear from others that play the game in the future to see if it has changed. If you play Escape Hotel’s Jack Reacher please leave a comment here on this blog post or on my YOUTUBE video for it.
ESCAPE ROOM – Escape Hotel: Agent – California
We enter a beautiful hotel lobby reminiscent of the Disney California Adventure’s former Tower of Terror. A strange bellhop greets us in a rather robotic manner. Upon approaching the desk we are warmly greeted and asked for our IDs. Several minutes later we are handed a very professional looking passport. To the right of the desk stands a counter that serves sandwiches, salads and drinks. Many comfortable couches are scattered about the lobby and the second level. The wheelchair specific lift to the second floor next to a backdropped photo op look a bit out of place, but it’s forgivable because their purposes are so clearly important. Postmodern Jukebox rings throughout the building adding to a fun but slightly creepy environment. This lobby sets expectations high even if you haven’t watched the incredible marketing videos before arriving.
Unfortunately the Agent Room isn’t quite as spectacular as the lobby, but it is a lot of fun. The decor is good. I honestly expected a bit more from it based on the amazing lobby. There are zip ties holding a few things together that seem a bit more functional than decorator choices. I’m usually not a fan of war themes, but this one was quite fun. I felt transported to a different time, maybe because I would never expect to find swastikas on anything these days. I couldn’t tell you the story primarily because I couldn’t hear the video that explains it over the loud music meant to set the tone. There is very little tech in the room, but what is there worked properly. It is very much your typical well-done escape room. I liked one of the puzzles near the beginning because it felt very MacGyver and I hadn’t seen it before. The room bottlenecks near the end, but up to that point there seemed to be enough to keep all six of us busy. If you are sensitive to violence or historic war visuals, this may not be the room for you. Also be aware this is right smack in Hollywood, so arrive early to find parking and deal with unexpected traffic.
Overall my husband and I had a really good time. We went opening weekend, so the company is still going through some growing pains of a brand new business. I expect amazing things from them in the near future, but until then The Agent is the room I recommend at Escape Hotel.
CALIFORNIA ESCAPE ROOM LIST
Below is a list of the Escape Rooms I’ve played roughly in order of MY favorite to least favorite. Note: I prefer strong storytelling and immersion, especially in horror, paranormal & magic themed escape rooms, so my preferences may be different than yours.
Feel free to write to me Twitter @christinebarger or Instagram @TheHauntGirl
GROUPED BY REGIONS: LOS ANGELES AREA, “THE VALLEY”, ORANGE COUNTY, INLAND EMPIRE, HIGH DESERT, VENTURA COUNTY, PALM SPRINGS, BIG BEAR, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO
LOS ANGELES AREA ESCAPE ROOMS
Glass Onion Knives Out Escape Pop-Up Experience
Quest Room: Warlocked
60out: The Orphange
Quest Room: Red Giant
Quest Room: Bloody Elbow
Maze Rooms: They’re Coming
60out: Hyde Circus
Planet Escape Rooms – Wise Guys
Planet Escape Rooms – Game of Swords
Maze Rooms: World of Illusions
60out: Alice in Wonderland
60out: Time Machine
Maze Rooms: One Way Ticket
60out: Houdini
60out: Amityville
Quest Room: Da Vinci’s Challenge
Maze Rooms: The Dragon’s Lair
Maze Rooms – SteamPunk Samauri
Planet Escape Rooms – Cntrl-Alt-Reality
Fox In The Box – Tesla
Maze Rooms: Jack the Ripper
60out: Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle
Hypnotic: Project 5150
60out: Grandma’s Masterplan
Roomescape LA The Bank (now Fox in a Box)
60out Escape Rooms: Doctor Psycho
60out Escape Rooms: Cartel DEA Undercover
60out Escape Room: P.U.T.I.N. (now Red Alert)
60out Escape Rooms: Ghost Ship
60out Escape Rooms: The Mystery of Senator Payne
Roomescape LA: Prison (now Fox in a Box)
60out: DaVinci’s Secret
Maze Rooms: Castle
60out: Nautilus
Mobile Escape Room LA: MacGuffins Cocktail Room
Roomescape LA: Bunker (now Fox in a Box)
The Laboratory Escape Room (original location)
Horror Escapes LA: Captive Chamber
Horror Escapes LA: Dr. Office
Back in Time – Salem Witch Hunt
Maze Rooms: Motel
Roomescape LA: Zombie Lab (now Fox in a Box)
MagIQ Room: Secrets of Wizardry
Maze Rooms: FBI
Quest Room: Polar Station
60Out Escape Rooms: Hangover Game(now Mafia)
Hatch Escapes – Lab Rat
Escape Room LA: The Pyramid
“THE VALLEY” LOS ANGELES ESCAPE ROOMS:
The Basement (Basement, The Elevator Shaft & Study) *NEW GAME* The Courtyard
Maze Rooms: Wizard’s Tower
Maze Rooms: Lord of the Swords
Escape the Room: Cartman’s Escape (South Park)
Maze Rooms: Whatever Happened to the Garretts
Escape the Room: Jurassic Escape
Exit Artists
Theme Quest Escape Room: Houdini (now Architect)
Maze Rooms: Tombstone
Theme Quest Escape Room: Bonnie and Clyde (now Architect)
Nodus 805 Escape Room
Arcane Escape Rooms: The Hideout
The Bunker Experience (the original version)
Arcane Escape Rooms: The Agency
The Room Live Escape Room: The Cabin
Escape the Room: Clock Tower
Enchanted Escape Room: Spellbound
ORANGE COUNTY ESCAPE ROOMS:
I now own an escape room in OC: EXIT GAME
CrossRoads Escape Game: Weeping Witch
Scenario Escape Rooms: Mad Rapper
Unlocked Escape Room: Game On! Unlocked Arcade
The Escape Game: Playground
Mission Escape Games: Escape the Hydeout
Unlocked Escape Room: The Return of the Magician
Hidden Donkey – Irvine School of Wizardry
Not Another Escape Room: Battleship
Cinema Escape Room – The Strange Thing
Puzzle Workshop: CSI Hollywood
Puzzle Workshop: Secrets of the Illuminati
Crossroads Escape Game: Funhouse
Escapade Games: The Last Experiment
Not Another Escape Room: Time Machine
Nerdy by Nature: The Initiation
EscapeX: Odditorium Emporium
Deceptive: The Butcher
Legacy: Sugar Rush
Nerdy by Nature: The Lost Treasure of Captain Blackbeard
Detectives Society Escape Rooms: Da Vinci’s Lost Workshop
The Escape Game: The Depths
Legacy: Cabin 13
Legacy: Georgie
Deceptive: Return to Coulrophobia
EscapeX Rooms: Mafia Heist
Escape ERA: Ben Franklin
PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Paranormal
Immersion: The Cursed (now Entangled)
Kryptic: The Mystery of Stillwater Asylum
PuzzleMazement: The Dollhouse(original version)
Square Room: Harry Potter (now Sorcerer’s Study)
*DeadRingers by Escape Bus (seasonal 15 minute Escape game)
*Crossroads: The Asylum (ScareLA mini-game availability varies)
INLAND EMPIRE ESCAPE ROOMS:
Wizards & Wires: The Ghost Chamber
Breaking Point: Whitmore Estate
Wizards & Wires: The Curiosity Shop
MindTrap: Taken
The 13th Room: Chapter 2 The Silence
Quest Tavern: Last Supper
Breaking Point: Headcase
MindTrap – Jingle Bells
Mind Trap Escape Room: Gold Rush
Quest Tavern: The Bridge Between
Clever Fox – Book of the Dragons
Mind Trap Escape Room: Conspiracy (original version)
Quest Tavern: Witches Cauldron
Trapped: Pandora’s Box
Confusion: The Last Job
Chronos: ChronosTopia
Chronos: Jurassic Island
Unity Escape Rooms: The Cabin
Unity Escape Rooms: The Temple
HIGH DESERT ESCAPE ROOMS:
CENTRAL VALLEY ESCAPE ROOMS:
VENTURA COUNTY ESCAPE ROOMS:
House of Clues: Pirate Ghost Ship (original location)
PALM SPRINGS ESCAPE ROOMS:
Escape Room Palm Springs: Dark Shadows Room (Vampire’s Lair)
Escape Games at the River: The Great Candy Challenge
Escape Room Palm Springs: Saw Room (now Locker Room)
Escape Room Palm Springs: Titanic
Escape Games at the River: Mutiny Skull Island
Escape Games at the River: Secret of the Dragon’s Spire
BIG BEAR ESCAPE ROOMS:
Mountain Room Escapes Big Bear: Alpine Ski Lodge
SAN DIEGO ESCAPE ROOMS:
Quicksand Escape Games: China Town
Steal and Escape: The Neighbor
Quicksand Escape Games: The Diner
The Unlockables: The Escape
Escape Game SD: Japanese Thriller Room
Top Tier – Outside In
Quicksand Escape Games: The Speakeasy
Boss Play – Chocolate Factory
The Entrapment: The Disappearance at Fogmore Manor
Top Tier – Undercover escape the safe house
Escapology San Diego: TH3 C0D3
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA ESCAPE ROOMS:
Enchambered – Whispering Halls
Enchambered – Containment Breach
Palace Games: Houdini
R.I.P.
These are rooms that I have played in California but are no longer available:
The Purge Truck
CrossRoads Escape Game: The Psych Ward
Level Games: The Menagerie
Enigma Escape Rooms: The Seance
Level Games: Doggy Dog World
Countdown Live: PsychoCountdown Live: Spaceship
Countdown: Mrs. Jezebel’s Tea Party (original version)
School of Hard Locks: Halloween Room
CatCon Animal Planet Escape Box
Exit Game The Ai (Los Angeles location)
Exit Game The Villains Lair (Los Angeles location)
Exit Game: The Chamber (Los Angeles location)
Trapped! The ChamberTrap House (Think Tank)
Real Escape Room: Treasure Island
Countdown: Special Event Beta Test
Kaien (the game we beta tested, but isn’t open yet)
School of Hard Locks: Principal’s Office
SCRAP Real Escape Game Escape from the Cursed Forest Event
SCRAP Real Escape Game Escape the Magic Show
Salvation Room: The Inferno
Ace Escape Game The Pharaoh’s Treasure
SCRAP Real Escape Game: Escape from the Time Travel Lab
The 13th Room (ScareLA mini-game)
Trapped! Escape Room: Jailbreak
Room of no return: Jail
Escape the Night (VidCon)
The Cromwell Estate (Midsummer Scream mini-game)
Maze Quests: Queen Anne’s Revenge
Countdown Live Escape: Krampus
Evil Genius Escape Rooms
Mobile Escape Room LA: Sleep Study
Captured LA: The Starlet Killer
Logiquit: Warehouse of Jack Travis
Logiquit The Laboratory of Dr. Lev Pasted
Escape Room Treasure Hunt: The Alchemist’s Lab
Amazing Escape Room: Operation Desert Storm
Famous Escape Rooms: The Great Redemption
S.H.A.D.I.E. Grove Escape Room
Hollywood Escape House: The Royal Indian Dungeon
Eskape Rooms: Operation Dream State
PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Professor S!
Escape the Place: The Chamber
PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Saving Christmas!
The Cromwell Estate
The 13th Room: Alchemy & Wizardry
The 13th Room: Jack the Ripper
The Game Maker Escape Room (temporary room at Coffin Creek)
Funhouse Escape 60 Minutes to Curtain & Another 60 Minutes to Curtain
Real Escape Room: Bomb
Broken Chains Escape Games: Caught In A Rumple
Real Escape Room: Crazy Secret Laboratory
One Way Out: Apocalypse (now Exodus)
Escape This! Mosi’s Curse
Rooms of No Return: The Classroom
Rooms of No Return: Dead Silence
The Great Escape: Mafia Bomb Squad
Bakersfield Escape Room: Winter Fall
Real Escape: Bootlegger Warehouse
Real Escape: Wizards Lair
Escape Room Palm Springs: Mystery Room
Divergent Realities: The Informant
Great Room Escape San Diego: Houdini’s Hidden Workshop
Great Room Escape San Diego: The Lab
School of Hard Locks: Art Class
Maze Rooms: VR Cosmos Game
Escape Room Police
Spookador
Escape SF: Escape from Antique Room
Kaein LLC: The Alien
Suite 201
Escape the Night – PopUp at UTA
LA Dragons – Knights of the Round Table
Escape From Godot
Exit Game: The Lab (Los Angeles location)
Exit Game: The School of Sorcery (Los Angeles location)
Exit Game An Hour To Kill (Los Angeles location)
Escape Room Long Beach: Bad Blood
60out: Wizard’s Workshop
60out: Zen Room
Trapped in a Room with a Zombie & Still Hungry
Countdown Live: Pandorus (now 60out Galaxy Quest)
Maze Quests: Clinic
60out Escape Rooms: Quest in a Box (temporary popup)
Countdown Live: Tiki Palace (now 60out)
Escape Hotel: Day Care
Escape Hotel: Witchcraft
Escape Hotel: Jack Reacher (renamed Espionage)
Horror Escapes LA: Edmond’s Attic
Escape Haus LA: Masquerade Ball Room
Escape Chronicles
Amazing Escape Room: The Starlight Lounge
Amazing Escape Room: Escape the X Corporation
Amazing Escape Room: Black & White
Amazing Escape Room: Mystery of the Red Dragon
Unlocked Escape Room: The Professor’s Basement
Hidden Passage: Pharoah’s Curse
TrapZone Escape Rooms: The Asylum
Legend X Iteration(original version)
MindTrap – Wizard of OZ
Containment: Carnival
Gaslamp: The Sword in the Study
Containment – Cabin
Hall of Shadows: Shadow Menagerie
Trapped! Escape Room: Puzzlemaster (original version)
Trapped! Escape Room: Sector 13 (original version)
Xscape Pods: Galaxy Adventure
Xscape Pods – Pharaoh
Xscape Pods – Government Secrets
The 13th Room (original)
Open Door Escape Games: The Study
Get a Clue Room Escape: The Toy Shop
The Ultimate Escape Rooms: We Are All Mad Here
One Way Out: Bank Heist (now Exodus)
Xcape Room Fresno: Murder Scene (original version)
Breakout Fresno: Sabotage – Code Red
Bakersfield Escape Room: RESCUE (now Puzzle Effect Bakersfield)
Escape the Asylum (All Saints Lunatic Asylum)
Escape Games at the River: Baker Street Mystery
3rd Day Escape: Harvest Motel
Top Tier – Atlantis Dive to the Forgotten City
Mighty Awesome: The Office of Professor R.K. Alogee
Nightwalker Caverns Escape Room: Clownotorium (original)
3rd Day Escape: Hourglass (original version)
Escape Room Movie 2 Pop-up Subway
Stranger Things Mini-Game Pop-Up
Cryptic Escape Rooms
Live Escape Room & Haunt Reviews 
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