World's First Minecraft Hotel to Open at Chessington in 2027

Minecraft is officially moving from the screen to the real world in a way fans have never seen before. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios have confirmed that the world’s first dedicated Minecraft hotel will open its doors at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in south-west London. Scheduled to arrive in 2027, the hotel is part of a wider expansion called 'Minecraft World,' which aims to bring the game’s iconic blocky landscapes to life for visitors.

The Independent reported that the hotel will feature nearly 70 themed bedrooms, allowing players to extend their stay in the Overworld after a day at the theme park. According to FTN News, the four-storey building will consist of 49 standard rooms and 20 premium rooms. The design is intended to be fully immersive, with interiors inspired by the game’s various biomes, textures, and creatures. Daisy Mercedes, a creative producer at Merlin, described these rooms as 'respawn points' where fans can sleep inside the game itself.

A Deep Dive into the Hotel Design

The experience begins the moment guests step into the lobby. As detailed by FTN News, the reception area is designed to look like the Overworld, featuring block-style trees and animals. Even the lifts have been given a makeover; they are themed after Nether Portals, transporting guests between floors. The corridors are styled like dark mine shafts, and chessington.com noted that guests should keep their eyes peeled for hidden diamonds along the walls as they find their way to their rooms.

Dining at the resort will also follow the blocky theme. Travel and Leisure Asia revealed that the hotel will house an underwater-themed restaurant inspired by the game's ocean biomes. For older guests, there will be a potions bar themed after the rare and mysterious Woodland Mansion. The Evening Standard mentioned that the entire project is part of a £50 million investment, showcasing the scale of the collaboration between the theme park giant and Mojang.

The 'Escape the Nether' Rollercoaster

The hotel is only one half of the story. The new 'Minecraft World' land will feature several attractions, the most prominent being a rollercoaster named 'Escape the Nether.' Yahoo News reported that construction is already well underway, with tracks for the ride already being installed. This rollercoaster will be the first of its kind, putting guests into minecarts as they navigate a dangerous journey through the Nether alongside characters like Steve and Alex.

According to chessington.com, the ride will feature plenty of 'lava' and hostile mobs. The experience starts in a dark, indoor mining area before a dramatic launch through a Nether portal and back into the Overworld section of the park. Filip Keatley Thoms, the creative lead for Minecraft Parks at Mojang, told the Evening Standard that the team has spent a lot of time ensuring the scale of the blocks and the appearance of the mobs feel authentic to the game's community.

What the Community is Saying

The announcement has sparked a mix of excitement and curiosity across the Minecraft community. On YouTube and social media, many fans are thrilled at the prospect of a high-budget rollercoaster, with some creators noting that a minecart-themed ride is a perfect fit for a theme park. There is a lot of praise for the 'Nether portal' lift idea, which many see as a clever way to use the game's mechanics in a real-world building.

However, the reaction isn't entirely without criticism. Some players have expressed concern over the 'real-life' look of the blocks, fearing they might look like cheap plastic rather than the textures they love in-game. Others have drawn comparisons to the visual style of the recent live-action film, with a few fans worrying that the resort might lean too heavily into a 'realistic' aesthetic rather than the classic pixelated charm. There is also the usual debate regarding pricing; while chessington.com has not yet opened bookings, Travel and Leisure Asia noted that fans are already joining waitlists despite the lack of confirmed room rates.

While an exact opening date has not been set, the project is moving fast. Yahoo News pointed out that the success of the Minecraft Movie in 2025 has likely accelerated the desire for physical attractions. For now, fans will have to wait until 2027 to see if they can truly survive a night in London's version of the Overworld.