Minecraft World will open in 2027 in Chessington Park near London: what will this change for hotels

The best-selling video game in history is finally getting its own physical territory. Merlin Entertainments is investing £50 million in Minecraft World, the first parkland entirely dedicated to Minecraft, which will open in 2027 in Chessington, thirty-five minutes by train from London Waterloo. It features world’s first roller coasters, blockscapes, themed shops and restaurants. As for hospitality, the question is different: the resort already has two hotels and glamping, but Minecraft rooms have not yet been announced. Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s not, and why it matters.

What does the world of Minecraft contain?

The zone is billed as the first in the world to completely bring the game’s universe into the park. It will feature a world-first roller coaster, interactive rides, playgrounds built from blocks, and shops and restaurants themed after the game, including a setting inspired by the Nether. Merlin works with Mojang Studios and says it relies on established community creators to ensure overall accuracy. “We’re thrilled to bring the creativity and adventure of Minecraft to life in the park for the first time.”” says Angela Jobson, senior vice president of brand at Merlin Entertainments, while Torfi Frans Olafsson, creative director of entertainment for Minecraft, sees it as a “milestone” in the expansion of the universe.

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What’s not announced: hotel

This is the main takeaway for those planning a stay. Merlin did not announce a Minecraft room or a special hotel: the project is focused on a park area with restaurants and shops. We note this because the ad was widely circulated under the name “Minecraft Hotel”, which it is not at this stage. However, the group’s logic makes this hypothesis plausible in the long term, as illustrated by the case of the Harry Potter Hotel at Legoland Germany, another Merlin address built on a franchise whose announcement was enough to change demand for hotels across the region.

Existing Resort Accommodation

Chessington is not starting from scratch, and this is what makes the hypothesis plausible. The resort operates two neighboring hotels, Azteca and Safari, where themed rooms are already a well-established practice: categories include Gruffalo, Oreo, Capri-Sun or PAW Patrol licenses, as well as Jumanji rooms and rooms with windows looking directly onto the park’s animal enclosures. The existing stock of licensed rooms provides a natural foundation for future Minecraft adaptations.since converting a room is much faster and cheaper than building an attraction. Additionally, the resort opened Explorer Glamping with thirty-five tents on May 27, offering park access, dining, and evening entertainment.

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◆ License plates are already operational in Chessington.

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Why this project is important for British hospitality

Chessington is thirty-five minutes from Waterloo, making it the most accessible park from central London. The global license area is changing the nature of its clientele, attracting families traveling from further afield to stay overnight, whereas previously the park relied mainly on local day-trippers. Shifts are measured by the number of overnight stays, not absences. The UK is also preparing a project of a completely different scale – a Universal resort in Bedford with a hotel with five hundred rooms, which is expected in 2031.also forty-five minutes from London. Find UK hotel news at La Revue des Hôtels.

Our point of view

Merlin realized earlier than others that the license was now worth more than the attraction itself. A roller coaster can be copied, but a game universe cannot. The real question is whether the group is up to the challenge of hosting, because that’s where the advantage lies. and what foreign guests who come exclusively to the Minecraft zone will require. The precedent of the Gruffalo and Paw Patrol rooms shows that the mechanics are well established within the company. Pending the announcement, our practical advice is simple: for stays in 2027, book the Azteca or Safari as soon as bookings open, as demand will increase well before the inauguration.

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Practical information

• Address · Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Greater London
• Discovery of the world of Minecraft. · 2027, exact date not yet announced
• Access · 35 minutes from London Waterloo Station or via the M25.
• Accommodation · Azteca and Safari Hotels, Explorer Glamping
• Official website Chessington.com