Desperately inhaling the heavy, stale air, I stumble through the fog as best I can. I can’t help but be reminded of the girl who warned me of the other patients, especially the one who plucked her right eye out of its socket. As my own eyes search hungrily for any indication of a horizon, an end to the dizzyingly white network of twists and turns (didn’t I just make that left ten steps ago?), I see it. The tall figure looms over me, and I’m face to face with its mask, a slightly dirtier, yet equally expressionless visage staring back at me through the mist. As if in response to the rise in my pulse, a chainsaw revs on cue directly behind me. I’ve never been so relieved to finally see a black tunnel punctuating the blank canvas all around me, and I plunge into its depths. At least even the thickest fog is invisible in pitch black darkness… I’m checking into Las Vegas Haunts’ Hotel Fear and Asylum for the first time.

For their 23rd year, Las Vegas Haunts has updated their two iconic mazes Hotel Fear and Asylum with beautiful sets and details that pay homage to the resilient and passionate haunt community. The extended white fog conclusion of the Asylum is the cherry on top of the institution themed maze that leaves its visitors as disoriented as its inhabitants. As for Hotel Fear, this establishment now boasts a brand-new area: a wine cellar housing the rarest vintages of the finest producers, including family names which should be familiar to those in the Las Vegas Haunt community. These film-set worthy halls provide a traditional, haunted house experience through a series of trailers with about 20% of its rooms changed from last year.

Asylum

While on our last visit, we learned that Adrian, the only surviving son of Dr. Vander, has been optimistically attempting to cure rather than merely treat the patients of Meadview Health Sanctuary. Yet, what we stumbled upon in the Asylum’s dark halls indicates that his good intentions have not come to much fruition. For better or for worse, the government has since intervened and, for the sake of transparency, now allows visits from the public.

The design of the Asylum showcases Las Vegas Haunts’ careful eye for detail that contributes to the feeling that this is a distorted nightmare of a hospital. Because of the strategic and innovative set design, navigating the space is reminiscent of a maze, with long corridors that twist and turn. Yet, these are clear moments that left us full of wonder, such as a series of lights that turn off one by one until we’re left in the dark; and then when the lights turn back on, the walls have shifted revealing a new path. But it’s not just wonder we experienced, we also felt peril and dread fueled by the skilled actors inhabiting its lively, and highly active walls. Do keep an eye out for the playful girl behind the chain link fence; she’s been known to “break” those who get too close.

There is frequent use of strobe lights throughout this maze meant to disorient, several tight spaces reminiscent of the padded cells the patients live in, and spatial transformations using the strategic mechanics of the settings showcasing that this is not real—but rather a nightmare you cannot escape from. As such, be aware of the loud and unpredictable noises to be expected from such a surreal facility.

Hotel Fear

As the requisite second stop of the dual maze tour, we checked into Hotel Fear in a somewhat fragile state of mind. If we were overwhelmed by the crescendo of brightness of the clinical Asylum setting, our senses were quickly on guard against the stark contrast of the somber, dimly lit den of disrepair we found ourselves in. Upon arrival, we sought to ascend the stairs to our room, only to be diverted through a wall that insisted it was a door, urged ever forward by the vocal, if not friendly hotel staff and a being trapped in the walls that screamed with the memories of the horrors committed in that dark place. We found ourselves in a twisted hellscape of a wonderland, instructed to find Room 13 if we ever wanted to escape.

While Asylum had a complete head-to-toe makeover last year, Hotel Fear had a few additions added this year to give her a new polish. First, a wine cellar was added which adds more personality and character to the hotel. While the scares are light here, this was a prime opportunity for Las Vegas Haunts to pay homage to their staff and supporters over the years, naming many of the wines you see in there after them. Second, the infamous Room 13 hallway has been adjusted with an upgraded feel and an awe-inspiring conclusion to the room.

Finally, the ending has shifted, as a child-like voice summons us to safety—only for us to find out we’re not quite alone. Suffice it to say, we found the voices in that establishment to be as terrifying as the faces in the neighboring Asylum. Far from repetitious, we fear that the shocking endings of both the Hotel Fear and Asylum may only confirm our deepest self-doubts… We can only hope our memory and senses are still to be trusted.

As with Asylum, Hotel Fear incorporates disorientation of sight, tight and potentially claustrophobia inducing spaces, many hidden doors revealing the maze-like structure of this hotel, and loud and unpredictable noises reminding you that you’re never alone in Hotel Fear.

Covid Safety

Similar to last year, Las Vegas Haunts’ Hotel Fear and Asylum has implemented a ticket system that utilizes time slots for groups rather than relying on a tightly spaced traditional queue. We love this new system as it prevents massive queues, conga-lines congesting the maze, and further intensifies the immersion of the experience. Masks are required at all times, and hand sanitizer is provided before entering each maze. We are continually grateful for Las Vegas Haunts’ commitment to safety and improving the efficiency and reducing the wait times. This is a stark contract to Freakling Bros’ Trilogy of Terror in which a line wrapped around their footprint, leaving guests waiting for an hour before they could even enter a single maze.

Final Thoughts

Las Vegas Haunts and their Hotel Fear and Asylum are two of our favorite haunted houses in the Las Vegas area. These haunts expertly combine film-set quality design, a maze-like structure, and strong acting that is meant to elicit scares. With some fantastic additions this year—including a new scare and an entire wine cellar in Hotel Fear and an expanded white-out room in Asylum—this haunt deserves a revisit if you haven’t been in a while. Do yourself a favor and check in to the Hotel—or the Asylum—both have wonderful amenities.

For more information about Las Vegas Haunts’ Hotel Fear and Asylum, checkout their website, Facebook and Instagram pages. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar.

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Las Vegas Haunts’ Hotel Fear and Asylum are amazing trailer haunts in Las Vegas, NV.