The Hotel

With The Hotel, Mystery Makers moves into a classic escape-room setup with a clear narrative focus: a murder mystery centered around the actress Betty Nansen. Inspired by the world of theatre and the atmosphere of the hotel, the room attempts to combine storytelling with accessible puzzles – and it succeeds to some extent. The room is created in collaboration with the Betty Nansen Theatre and uses props from the play Before the End. When it comes to atmosphere and scenography, Mystery Makers delivers. The set design is beautifully executed with a consistent “old hotel” aesthetic that immediately sets the right mood. The props are well chosen, and there is a strong thematic coherence throughout the room. For the observant, small details and easter eggs referencing the theatre production are hidden throughout, adding an extra layer to the experience. The room is clearly designed to be beginner‑friendly. There isn’t much to interact with at the start, which means players stand a bit on top of each other, but it does help gather the group before the room opens up. Once the first puzzle is solved, multiple puzzles can be tackled simultaneously. We played as a group of four, and there was almost always something for everyone to do, which is a major strength. The puzzles have relatively low complexity. For experienced players, they may feel a bit too direct (1:1), and one might miss additional layers or more challenge. However, there are some good “aha moments” supported by exciting effects. An interesting detail is the option to solve the murder mystery early, or to take a gamble on one of the suspects if you’re running out of time without having solved everything. The room uses a live actor, which often elevates an escape-room experience. Unfortunately, the interaction here felt a bit too guided and staged. There is untapped potential in making this interaction more dynamic, which could have made the experience even more memorable. The Hotel is a well‑produced and highly atmospheric room. It is the ideal choice for: • Beginners and casual players • Groups who value experience and flow over difficulty Experienced enthusiasts will enjoy the beautiful setting but will likely miss more complexity and additional surprises along the way. Difficulty level 🌰 🌰 Design 🌰 🌰 🌰 Scarefactor Entertainment vs price 🌰 🌰 🌰