September 3, 2004 -- I well remember my first hotel murder mystery weekend: I inadvertently solved it before it even began when I stumbled onto the actors as they were staging the scene for the denouement. Maybe I'm just a natural born snoop, but I can recommend these events just for the sport of it.
Out in ersatz-Norwegian Solvang CA, the production company Keith & Margo is presenting a murder mystery weekend at the Country Inn & Suites on October 30-31. For $245 per person, you get one night's lodging and a two-day program of interactive adventure that includes "Murder Mystery & Mayhem," a cocktail party, all meals and taxes and all tips. The fun starts with lunch on Saturday and continues through noon on Sunday. For reservations phone 818/785-7700 or visit www.murdermystery.com, where you can view a complete schedule of this troupe's performances.
Cape May NJ has an enterprising Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, which has organized a Sherlock Holmes Weekend for November 5-7. Overnight packages start on Friday evening and end at Sunday brunch. Each deal includes two nights in a double room at your choice of accommodations, a $75 dinner certificate per couple valid at a choice of restaurants, a Friday night opening reception at Savannah Key restaurant, a Saturday search for clues tour and a visit with "Sherlock Holmes." Prices run $245 for a standard room, $301 for a deluxe and $346 for a super deluxe. Accommodations can include area B&Bs, beachfront hotels, historic hotels or Victorian suites. You can get more information online at www.capemaymac.org or by phoning 800/275-4278, ext. 185.
The fabulous Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz NY has a "Murder on the Rocks" mystery weekend planned for March 11-13, 2005. Prices start as low as $209 and run up to $450 per person, all including two nights' lodging, meals and a chance to win some prizes if you solve the mystery. You can contact them directly at 800/772-6646 or visit www.mohonk.com.
You can also make reservations for a weekend at the Villa Roma Resort (tel. 800/727-8455; www.villaroma.com) in the Catskills held on November 12-14. Prices and conditions are the same as for the Mohonk weekend. Both shows are produced by Murder Mystery, Inc., which can be contacted at 800/687-3374 or online at www.murdermysteryinc.com.
