An inside look at the new Hotel St. Michelle maze
Kyle Kruthoffer
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As the leaves begin to fall and chills form in the air, so be it the time for a new breed of screams and horror awaiting those at Kings Island's Halloween Haunt. There's vacancy for guests this year at a new, yet oddly-sinister maze: Hotel St. Michelle.
Let me be clear, this is not your average hotel.
Seemingly-abandoned, the human condition's curiosity compels you to explore this haunted hotel. The vibe of this undiscovered area feels as if the 1920's era were frozen in time.
Smooth jazz blues play softly as you draw closer to the site, passing through a garden. Dead, dried up, no life to be found whatsoever. Broken lawn ornaments and statues seemingly whistle as the cold wind blows against them. The area seems to be void of life, yet you still feel an uncomfortable "presence". Making it to the front steps, you'll notice all the doors are locked. All except the one labeled "EMPLOYEES ONLY." The phrase "Curiosity killed the cat" will likely be repeating in the back of your mind as you start to sneak your way into the forsaken building.
As you make your way into the hotel, you'll pry into the service hallway. This is the moment when you find out (surprise) you're not alone, and this hotel is not abandoned. As a matter of fact, not only is the hotel stuck in the Roaring Twenties, but so too are the residents. You're now forced to find a way of escape. The lights are seemingly dim and flicker throughout, testing your vision. You don't know what's real and what's not. You pass through a boiler room, greeted by victims of the ash and soot that heat the room. Stumbling your way into the next room, you realize you're in the kitchen. The stench of rotten food (and flesh) covers the room, as pots and pans clang against each other. Whatever you do, just don't look into the eyes of the cook.
The following room you find yourself in is the laundry room. The maids hate it when their laundry is messed with, so try not to bother them. Just as you think you've found a way out through a service elevator; the electric's been cut. A bellhop asks to take your bags. DO NOT take him up on the offer. You continue down a narrow hallway, realizing there is only one path to take. The horrors of the rooms that follow cannot be spoken; only experienced. Finally, you make it to the lobby and rush out. What you have just experienced - you must never speak of. Ever.
Hotel St. Michelle stands out as a special project to the Kings Island Entertainment team. The collaboration and creativity are truly remarkable in recent years, making Halloween Haunt one of Cincinnati's must-do Halloween experiences. It's no wonder that after a month of spirited voting in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards contest, Halloween Haunt has won the title of Best Theme Park Halloween Event in the country for the second year in a row and for the third time in the last four years of this contest.
Halloween Haunt runs select nights through Oct. 29. Discover the best deals and biggest savings to experience the award-winning event by purchasing your tickets online.