Mystery Express - "Motel California"

Paul Shyshou
3 hours ago
2 min read

LOCATION:  Warsaw, Poland

Photo above is property of Mystery Express

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Motel California
📅 DATE PLAYED: November 29, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Thriller
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 9/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 100 Mins.
💰 PRICE: 260-500 PLN
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [90:00]

📖 THE STORY

It’s 1973. Your friend Kasia has decided to travel across America. It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime, but one day you receive a troubling message from her. Something strange is happening in the seemingly ordinary motel where she planned to stay for a few nights. Her passport has gone missing from her room, at night she hears unsettling noises coming from the room next door, and the motel staff are acting suspiciously.

In a foreign country, Kasia is relying on your help. Will you manage to reach her in time and prevent a tragedy?

Video above is property of Mystery Express

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

A very beautiful and atmospheric escape room
The game master greets you already in character
The SMS invitation to the game is also thematically styled
A wonderful reception area that immediately sets the right mood
An interesting in-game storyline

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

Quite often you come across puzzles you’ve already solved, but you still need to set the correct values or perform certain actions to move forward
The game was shortened, so some clues and mechanics remain unused
It’s not always clear which compartment or shelf has opened, as the escape room lacks corresponding sound or light cues

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Overall, this is a wonderful escape room — very atmospheric and genuinely engaging, with a number of great puzzles and unexpected plot twists. Even though it’s labeled as a scary escape room, even the most timid players can safely go — just be prepared for some high- quality but not very pleasant-looking decorations :)