If you love puzzles and cocktails (and boy DO we!) then you’re going to want to get a room or five at Brisbane’s newest colourful immersive experience, Hijinx Hotel. Now don’t be fooled by its name: this is one hotel you check in to play, not to stay.
Located within Westfield Chermside’s dining precinct, this leisure-tainment wonderland of nostalgia is housed within the theme of a quirky New York hotel with a lobby, lift, three bars, and 10 quick-play challenge rooms.
Even better, under the same roof, you can also putt your stuff at Holey Moley (since the entertainment group Funlab is behind both fun-tastic brands).
Once you walk through the doors of this perfect play-cation destination, you check in at the lobby to pick up your game passes. There are two sets of five rooms, so you can either book in time to do both, or use it as an excuse to come back another day and finish the set.
Then while you’re waiting for check-in time, you can take a sip or four of some cocktails from the colour explosion that is the whimsical bar area. Some of the concoctions on offer are pretty spesh, and match the magical atmosphere of the games themselves.
Drinks in a unicorn cup anyone?
When it’s your time to play, the hotel theme continues. You use your room key to get access to the mysterious lift, and head up to your floor. Once you get to your corridor, lovely hosts explain how it all works, and you swipe your key to open the door to wonder and fun. Each room has different games, from life size Tetris, to ball-pit basketball. To tell you any more would be spoiling the fun.
One thing is for sure: whether you want to show of your competitive streak and go for the points win, or pose in the fantastical rooms for the ‘gram, you’re sure to have a lot of fun.
We already can’t wait to go back for more.
Hijinx Hotel, Westfield Chermside, Gympie Road, Chermside, Queensland, p. 07 3169 1655
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
