I’ve done my fair share of escape rooms so my standards are a bit on the “picky” side now. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find this gem in the valley. I’ve been here three times now and I can’t wait for more of their rooms to open. The first time I took my two kids, 8 and 11, and we did Bonnie and Clyde’s Great Getaway. Then I came back twice more for date nights and did Houdini’s Hideout and Orient Express. I’ll get right to the point.
PROS
– The customer service is exceptionally accommodating and friendly. From the first time I called to book, to the lounge drinks before and after our game, I was impressed.
– The rooms themselves meet the hype that I read before going in. I’d rank Houdini’s and Orient as my favs, followed closely by Bonnie and Clyde. Houdini is on the more difficult end.
– Not going to spoil anything but there’s some very cool and clever stuff in both Orient and Bonnie and I’m still thinking it about days later.
– The décor convincingly matched the thematic arrangement of each room, including real period pieces from their respective eras. This helped to get me totally absorbed in the experience as I progressed through the games.
– The puzzles themselves fit with the narrative, which is a major plus in my book. You know those films with the endings that catch you by complete surprise, and you walk out wanting to watch it all over again to enjoy the thrill for a second time? That’s the feeling I had solving the puzzles. They were challenging and mysterious, yet intuitive, and they engaged that creative part of my brain that gets me just wanting to do more and more.
– I really love how the games are customizable in terms of difficulty, so I was able to play them with my kids and then also with adults later.
– They have a comfy outdoor lounge that is just beautiful at night and when I went there I was able to enjoy drinks before the games (and even see a couple random celebrities).
CONS
– It is by appointment only, so you can’t just walk-in and expect to play something. I learned this the hard way my first time going. Tip: book ahead of time so you can get what you want, as they tend to fill up fast.
– Parking is metered until 8 pm, not much anyone can do about this. It cost us a couple bucks. On the plus side, it’s close to their building and safe, so it isn’t really an issue.
