Chelsea Connor
Only a few people can gain access to a hotel's 'mystery room' that requires a password to get in.
Exclusive hotels are always exciting to visit, as they usually offer a 'once in a lifetime' experience, but what about one that requires a secret password?
This is the case with a certain hotel's 'mystery room’, which has been the subject of whispers for years due to how enigmatic it seems to be and how gaining access can be tough.
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Located on the second floor of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, the ‘mystery room’ was once used as an authentic speakeasy during Prohibition.
The room is said to have been created by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright almost 93 years ago, eight months after the stock market crash and nine years into Prohibition - the nationwide law that banned the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcohol from 1920 until 1933.
Today, the room is still shrouded in mystery as only 40 people are allowed inside at a time, and is now a part of ‘hotel mystery tours’ and small scale cocktail nights can also be arranged.
With only few being allowed to enter the room, mystery has surrounded the room for years.
“What we understand from the stories that have been passed down is that there were no official descriptions of this room because it was illegal,” says historian Ashley Johnson, who guides historic tours on the property.
“It was called the Mystery Room because no one was supposed to know about it. It can be challenging to separate fact from speculation—or downright fantasy.
"I think from the get-go it was going to be a men’s smoking room, but, wink wink, nudge nudge, it was also going to be a place to serve alcohol, to party and enjoy yourself."
After pictures of the interior of the room were recently posted to Reddit, users were surprised to finally see an image of the inside of the shrouded room.
One commenter said: “I’m getting legend of Zelda vibes. I feel like there’s a treasure chest behind the fireplace.”
While another added: “I would imagine it is fairly typical of the style back then. I think it is tasteful and not too ostentatious. Distinct enough for the clientele to find, but not out of the place enough to be vulnerable to police raids.”
And one said: “I massively prefer The Shining (1980) film to the book (I prefer subtle menace to the overt supernatural).
"However, one thing I do appreciate about the book, is how it goes into the hidden mobster background of The Overlook. That is the sort of impression I get from this room.”