Overview
Don't stress about packing your bags — a new breed of playcation has just launched at QV Melbourne. Opened in the CBD for the first time, Hijinx Hotel is combining its immersive quick-play challenge rooms with a sprawling Archie Brothers arcade-meets-cocktail bar experience. Together under a single roof, expect a kaleidoscopic entertainment destination that delivers a double dose of fun.
If you haven't experienced Hijinx Hotel Chadstone before, just know these 'hotels' are designed for action-packed play, not overnight stays. Set around a series of hypnotising challenge rooms hidden behind hotel suite doors, guests swipe their keycard to enter a world of brain-teasing adventure. There are ten in total to explore, spanning massive ball pits, giant puzzles and a mega light-up floor grid made for dancing and dodging.
When it's time to play, teams of two to six players complete a course of five challenges, with guests given just four minutes to crack each room's task. If you succeed, you've earned yourself a point for the leaderboard. Along the way, these brand-new challenge rooms will test your precision, teamwork and quick thinking skills. Featuring chaos and creativity in equal measure, this multi-sensory experience offers a next-level adventure without leaving town.
"We set out to create a destination that brings pure joy to Melbourne's social scene," says Michael Schreiber, CEO of Funlab. "What excites us most is how this venue is set to bring everyone together, from couples and friends to full corporate teams looking to shake up their next event. We've built a space where play leads the way and memories are made from the moment you arrive."
Once you've finished decoding the puzzles, step into Archie Brothers, an impressive 1600-square-metre arcade filled with circus-themed gaming. Think claw machines, classic arcade games, and engrossing VR experiences that offer nostalgic and future-forward encounters side by side. Plus, there are comprehensive karaoke rooms and function spaces perfect for catering to private events and parties.
What's more, Archie Brothers is renowned for its theatrical cocktail bar, with creative concoctions like the Bubble and Pop featuring tropical rum-drenched flavours and topped with a scented bubble that bursts into a suspended vapour. There's also a crowd-pleasing food menu to fuel your crew, with pizza, tacos and chicken bites on offer. So, leave the toothbrush at home and check in for an offbeat night of fast-paced gaming and unique challenges.
Hijinx Hotel QV Melbourne is open Sunday–Thursday from 10am–11pm and Friday–Saturday from 11am–1am at QV Melbourne, Level 3, Cnr Lonsdale and Swanston Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
Images: Zennieshia Butts.