Author: Jason

It Was Dinner and a Show…And MURDER… – Room: Homicide Hotel – Room 303 – June 7, 2020

A look at your lodging...
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror movies, are intrigued by whodunits, and love a good thriller.

Avoid if… you dislike confined spaces, scare easily, or feel like somebody’s watching you…

THE BASICS

303 Escape

Address: 8805 Fox Dr, #100, Thornton, CO 80260 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 303-568-9861
https://303escape.com

The Room – Room 303:

Description (from the company website): When Robert Quinlan identified his newest victim, Room 303 was the room he always checked them into. To an unsuspecting guest, the room looked like any other ordinary vintage hotel room. However, it was one part of the hotel that Robert had specially modified to allow him to spy on his guests through hidden peepholes and secret passageways.

You are Robert’s next victim and have found yourself in the room where so many before you started their final horrifying journey.

Can you escape the clutches of this Psycho or will you meet the same torturous fate as Robert’s 19 other victims?

Room 303 is where your nightmare begins.

A look at your lodging...
A look at your lodging… (Picture provided by 303 Escape)

Difficulty (1-10): None listed, but 11% escape rate with 0 clues

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: Variable ($40pp for 2, $35pp for 3-4, $30pp for 5-6)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: The lobby looks like a hotel lobby. There’s plenty of seating considering there’s only 1 room currently open. (And plenty of hand sanitizer because, you know, COVID-19.)

Metro Access/Parking: We drove from the Colorado Springs area, so we can’t tell you about Metro access, but there is ample parking in the lot. (And FYI, looking at the building, it’s around back on the end. We walked down the grassy hill, but you’ll find it easier to take the actual sidewalk…)

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Jason forgot to take one, but you will be able to read his thoughts below.

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room is designed as a hotel room, complete with passageways and peepholes. It looks like a hotel room, it FEELS like a hotel room.

Understanding of the Mission: Solve the puzzles to escape through Robert Quinlan’s labyrinth and exit into the lobby. OR DIE.

Did We Escape: Yes!

Time Remaining: 5:49 remaining (What can I say, we were rusty!)

Our Suggested Party Size: I wouldn’t go over 4 but you can definitely fit 6 in here.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Jason D and Steph D

We (all of us) forgot to take a picture after escaping. 🙁

Worth the time and money? Absolutely

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

This Room Conjured Up More Than Just Memories… – Room: The Conjuring – February 8, 2020

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror, being spooked, and/or The Conjuring movies.

Avoid if… you jump easily, don’t like being scared, or are claustrophobic.

THE BASICS

Panic Escape Room:

Address: 990 Grand Canyon Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 224-268-3947
https://www.panicescaperoom.com
[email protected]

The Room – The Conjuring:

Description (from the company website): A desperate cry for help falls on deaf ears as you and your group take up the challenge to save this poor girl. Your journey begins in the infamous Warren’s Occult museum as you search for clues as to what was taken and what has caused the neighbors and their young daughter vanished without a trace . Remember everything in the Warren’s is possessed or cursed so avoid taking anything with you!

Difficulty (1-10): Not listed, but has a 26% escape rate as of this writing (as per the website)

Time Limit: 65 minutes (Note: When this room was first booked, it was listed as 75 minutes. After that, I was told it was 65, as now listed. When we got there, we were given 60 minutes, plus a few extra, as you’ll read.)

Cost: $29.99

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Listed as up to 10, the booking page says minimum 3, but once you click Book, you are told minimum 4, max of 12. If you have less than 4, I’d recommend calling.

Staging Area: The location is (appropriately for the theme) in the basement of an office building. There’s a bench in the corner and a water cooler. Standing room otherwise.
Metro Access/Parking: This room was not in our home location, so we drove everywhere.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room at a discount, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: The initial room this escape starts in is cramped. Pretty much to be expected if you’ve seen the movies, as you’re supposed to be in the Warren’s Occult Museum.

Understanding of the Mission: Find the stolen items and figure out why the neighbors and their daughter have disappeared.

Did We Escape: Nope.

Time Remaining: 🙁 Even with the extra time.

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-8, though 8 will be a tight fit.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D, Aaron, Andrea, Mary Jo, Liam, and 3 others whose names I have, unfortunately, forgotten.

We did not take a photo after this failure. Not that we didn’t want to, but we weren’t asked.

Worth the time and money? Yes and no.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We didn’t go anywhere after (nearby), so no recommendation here. Sorry.

Continue reading →

Interview with 303 Escape (Denver, CO) – June 7, 2020

Video ~ ~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

With a dear friend in town, and the quarantines lifting, we embarked on a journey through the mind of a psychopath and ventured forth to 303 Escape up in Thornton, Colorado, a Denver suburb. Having read an article on Westword, and absolutely LOVING horror themes, I felt it was my duty as an Escape Room Guy to shoot Tim an email and see what this escape room was all about. There’s currently only one room available, but the 2nd room in this horror trilogy should be ready around Halloween (how fitting!) and I CANNOT WAIT to check it out!

Additionally, if you book 7 days in advance and use code 7DAY, you’ll save 7% off your booking.

Have YOU escaped the Homicide Hotel’s Room 303?? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for the review of Room 303. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

You Don’t Know Jack… literally… – Room: Jack the Ripper – February 7/8, 2020

Steph and Jason helped Scotland Yard discover the identity of Jack the Ripper! (Or did they...........)
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever wondered who Jack the Ripper really was.

Avoid if… shows about serial killers give you nightmares… or ideas.

THE BASICS

Odyssey Escape Game:

Address: 1111 Alderman Drive, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA 30005 (click address for Google Map)
999 N Plaza Drive, Suite 111, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 770-559-7548 (Alpharetta, GA), 847-285-1281 (Schaumburg, IL)
https://www.odysseyescapegame.com/

The Room

Description (from the company website): It’s November 9th, 1888. You are Scotland Yard’s finest detectives and you’re responding to a crime scene at 13 Miller’s Court in London’s Whitechapel district. You step inside the boarding room of Mary Kelly, the Ripper’s latest victim. Your objectives are to search for clues, collect the evidence and end the Ripper’s reign of terror. After returning to Scotland Yard, you must piece together the evidence, contact eyewitnesses and determine the true identity of England’s most notorious serial killer. You only have 60 minutes before the Ripper flees London forever, depriving Great Britain of the truth…who is Jack the Ripper?

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28, but use ERG15 to save 15% off when booking online at either of their locations

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: In the GA location, they have a nice-sized waiting room with lots of comfortable seating, a check-in desk, bathrooms off the lobby, and a party/conference room for private parties.

In the IL location, they look like they just opened. It’s a large, open floor plan. There’s a check-in lobby, then there’s a waiting room, plenty of seating, and a conference room.

Metro Access/Parking: We drove (in both instances).

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video Mike took before he entered the room:

This is the video Jason took before they entered the room:

This is the video Mike took after he completed the room:

This is the video Jason took after they completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room in each location for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off in the boarding house room of Mary Kelly, Jack the Ripper’s latest victim. It’s a humble abode, sparsely decorated, with indications that a murder has recently taken place.

Understanding of the Mission: Investigate Mary Kelly’s room for clues, make your way to Scotland Yard to gather investigative tools, and piece together the clues to give you the true identity of Jack the Ripper before he catches on that you’re on his trail and leaves Great Britain forever.

Did We Escape: Mike: Yes; Jason: No.

Time Remaining: Mike: 31 seconds

Our Suggested Party Size: 4+

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Mike was by himself; Jason was with Steph D

Steph and Jason helped Scotland Yard discover the identity of Jack the Ripper! (Or did they...........)

Worth the time and money? Absolutely

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Alpharetta – it’s in an office park, but there are restaurants within a 5 minute drive, so use Google. But Mellow Mushroom was recommended to me.
  • Schaumburg – It’s right by a mall, so there were plenty of places there.

Continue reading →

Need a One-Stop-Shop for Booking an Escape Room?

~ Jason

Hello everyone! It’s been quite a while since we wrote a non-review-related post, but we have some news that may be useful to the escape room community! We’re here with Marcell from Escape Spy. We’d like to share with you what he’s been doing the past few months.

Marcell is an escape room enthusiast who got the idea for his site, https://www.escapespy.com, while trying to find rooms to escape with short notice. Finding it difficult to navigate the websites on his mobile (and not wanting to have 5 – 10 tabs open in his mobile browser), he created the first version of Escape Spy to crawl the major escape room companies in California. After showing it to friends, they approved and requested he expand outside of California, and then outside the U.S.

Marcell reached out to us for some insight on what else his site should offer as an escape-room-only search site. We provided him with our feedback on making the site more user-friendly and better organized.

Escape Spy started as a simple search for Marcell’s own booking needs. It has since morphed into a one-stop shop to help you find available escape rooms on specific days/times and in specific areas (based on city or zip code) as quickly and easily as possible. The site shows over 13,000 rooms across more than 3,000 locations, making it one of the largest, most comprehensive directories online (if not the THE largest). Dozens of scrapers power the searches for open rooms and locations, using thousands of hours of bot crawler-time a month (plus automated quality checks).

One additional feature Marcell added is an escape tracker. You establish a tracker account and add your escapes and the other members of your group. So, if you wanted to search for a room that you did with only your wife so you could recommend it to your friends, you could narrow the search on rooms you did with only your wife and then send those rooms to your friends. That’s a pretty great feature once you start getting into double- and triple-digit escape counts.

Check out the site here and let him know The Escape Room Guys sent you!

https://www.escapespy.com

Owners, if you have a location and your information isn’t included on the site, or the information is incorrect, just email Marcell. He’s willing to work with owners to ensure that they’re included and the information on his site is accurate and useful.

I Thought I Was Going Into a Mine Shaft, Not a Mayan Temple… – Room: Mayan– March 11, 2019

Jason looking like a boss, even though he utterly failed the room.
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like archeology, tunnels, and logic.

Avoid if… you don’t like logic or skeletons.

THE BASICS

“ENTER Company Name”:

Address: 4437 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 702-602-9775
https://lockdownrooms.com/lockdown-rooms-flamingo/

The Room – MAYAN

Description (from the company website):

After years of extensive research, we’ve discovered there is a hidden chamber containing valuable treasure deep within the confines of an ancient Mayan Temple. As the best team of archaeologists around, this task is very suitable for you! Documents on the history of this treasure state “those who conquer the four elements, will be granted passage” Beware, you must proceed with caution! With such a brittle structure we aren’t sure how long you’ll have until the ruins will collapse. You’ll get a cut of the profit if you make it out alive.

Overcome the obstacles, grab the treasure, and get out!

Difficulty (1-10): 5/5

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $35

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 3-10

Staging Area: Lobby is pretty small; just a counter and a few chairs.

Metro Access/Parking: No idea; I drove. I’m sure you could find a bus that runs nearby.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the first video we took before we entered the room:

This is the second video we took before we entered the room:

This is the third video we took before we entered the room:
Hahaha, just kidding. I never actually did a pre-Mayan video!

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You walk into something that looks like it should be a the entrance to a temple in the jungle. It’s sparsely decorated and is primarily items needed for the room; very minimalist in that respect.

Understanding of the Mission: Solve the puzzles to discover the hidden treasure before the temple collapses.

Did We Escape: No, and totally pissed about it!

Time Remaining:    :'(

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-6

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Was just little old me…

Jason looking like a boss, even though he utterly failed the room.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • I’m sure you can find something on the Strip; I went to another room after.

Continue reading →

There Were 8 of Us; So Much for Going Stag… – Room: Stag Party – September 8, 2019

We found the ring, unlocked the door, and even had time for a beer!
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoyed the Hangover movies, retained photographic evidence of what happened in Vegas, or lost all your personal items the last time you went.

Avoid if… you don’t drink, gamble, or laugh.

THE BASICS

Mind Twist:

Address: 3200 S. Las Vegas Blvd Ste 1835, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 702-504-4225
https://mindtwistescapes.com/

The Room – Stag Party:

Description (from the company website): Based on the fan favorite Hangover Movies: You and your buddies partied SO HARD last night and you’re sure you had so much fun. . .  but you can’t remember a thing.  How’d a motorcycle get in here?  Who broke the front door?  OMG where’s the RING?!?!  It’s your buddy’s wedding day and the ceremony starts in an hour.  You better retrace your drunken steps, find the ring, find a way out and don’t be the idiots that ruin the wedding!

Difficulty (1-10): 7/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $35

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8 (must book minimum of 2, all bookings are private)

Staging Area: Lobby was a little small, as they’re still working on the space, but there is sufficient seating/standing room.

Metro Access/Parking: You can walk there (it’s in the Fashion Show Mall right off the Strip) but there is also a parking garage.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the first video I took before we entered the room:

This is the second video we took before I entered the room (because I forgot what the room was about the first time):

This is the video I took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: Looks like a hotel room that has seen a lot. There’s a fish tank, bathroom, and a lot of empty beer bottles.

Understanding of the Mission: Figure out what happened last night, where you went, where the wedding band is, and how to get out of the hotel room.

Did We Escape: Yes, and in record time!

Time Remaining: 28 minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: 2-6; 8 was a little cramped

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D, Marco, Holly, Mike, Jeanne, Samantha, and Rori

We found the ring, unlocked the door, and even had time for a beer!
We found the ring, unlocked the door, and even had time for a beer!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: I don’t recall where we went after, but it’s a mall on the Strip; you will figure it out.

Continue reading →

Grandma…What Dead Eyes You Have… – Room: Red Riding Hood – March 10, 2019

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’re a fan of children’s stories/fairy tales or you always wondered what was in Red’s damn basket…

Avoid if… you are scared of wolves, not into picnics, or don’t like your Grandmother.

THE BASICS

Number One Escape Room:

Address: 1775 East Tropicana, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 702-528-1459
https://numberoneescaperoom.com/

The Room – Red Riding Hood:

Description (from the company website): Red Riding Hood is a suspect in a series of murders that you and your team of private investigators have been hired to investigate. In this very grim tale, your team mission is to go to Grandmother’s house to find out if Red went Hood in the Woods and partnered up with the Big Bad Wolf!

Difficulty (1-10): 3.5/5

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $40

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 6

Staging Area: There is a very large lobby (this place is huge) and plenty of seating. There was a water cooler (if I recall correctly) and lots of swag for sale.

Metro Access/Parking: No idea how public transit works there; I was in town for work and just drove.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off in the living room of Grandma’s house. There’s a table, rocking chair, a dead body…

Understanding of the Mission: Determine if Red is a serial killer who partnered with the Big Bad Wolf, or not

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 3:15

Our Suggested Party Size: We were 2; I wouldn’t really recommend more than 4; it’ll get cramped REAL quick

Did the room challenge the entire team? Kinda

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Bobby

Worth the time and money? Eh…Kinda?

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

    • Went out on the Strip after, so can’t really recommend anything. Sorry

Continue reading →

Abracapocus! Hocus Cadabra! – Room: KAZAM! – February 17, 2019

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you had a magic kit as a kid

Avoid if… you are always trying to find the spoiler behind the trick.

THE BASICS

Puzzah! – Denver location:

Address: 1440 Blake St, #150, Denver, CO 80202 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 303-534-5477
https://www.puzzah.com/denver/

The Room – Kazam!:

Description (from the company website): Welcome to Kellar Kazam’s attic, filled with clocks and magical delights. Armed with only a pair of special glasses, you have to unravel the mystery of Kazam’s disappearance. Skilled apprentices may unlock bonus challenges concealed among his personal effects. Are you worthy of carrying on his legacy?

Mission Objectives:

    • Standard – Open the secret clock
    • Advanced – Solve Kazam’s mystery
    • Expert – Reveal bonus puzzles

Difficulty (1-10): Medium-Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-5

Staging Area: This place has a nice entryway and desk that opens to a large lobby with tables and seating. Restrooms are towards the back of the main room.

Metro Access/Parking: We don’t purport to know anything about the public transit system, but there is a municipal lot on the corner and street parking if you can get it.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: A small room that looks like an attic that is filled with magical memorabilia.

Understanding of the Mission: Find out what happened to Kellar Kazam, who disappeared during his final show, and prove yourselves worthy of being his apprentices.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:55 remaining, however, we solved ALL of the bonus puzzles (aka BUZZLES!!)

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-5, the recommendation, was good. It got a little crowded at times, but we made it work.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Greg, Heather, and Steph D.

Worth the time and money? Absolutely!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Why Would I Want to Leave This Place??? – Room: Escape the Speakeasy – June 4, 2019

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like talking about Prohibition, evading the police, or drinking clandestinely.

Avoid if… you don’t like bars or the Police.

THE BASICS

Escape IT Grandview:

Address: 1666 W. First Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 614-636-4848
https://escapeitgrandview.com/

The Room – Escape the Speakeasy:

Description (from the company website): Welcome to the 1920’s, when prohibition is at its peak. Not that it stops anyone from having a drink or two. That’s where speakeasies, or underground bars, come into play. You and your friends have been hired by the owners of the best speakeasy in the city for a very important task: stop the police raid that is about to occur in the next 60 minutes AND get a hefty payout for your efforts. Do you have what it takes? Great for players of all ages and experience levels.

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $25 ($20 M-Th, after 5pm)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

Staging Area: Small lobby with a couch and table and some games to keep your hands busy

Metro Access/Parking: No idea about public transportation in Ohio; I drove from Dayton.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

I forgot to do a post room live video… 

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room is rather large as escape rooms go. There’s a poker table, pictures on the wall, a bar and stools, dart board, gramophone. Looks like an underground bar, honestly.

Understanding of the Mission: You have an inside man in the force and you need to figure out the code word to call him and stop the raid from happening.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 2:15

Our Suggested Party Size: 10 might be a bit much, so I would limit your group to 6ish

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Just Jason

Jason stopped the Police raid and drank plenty.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • La Tavola – this Italian restaurant is right next door and was delicious (and has a good beer selection)

Continue reading →