Review:The Candy Shoppe, Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms, Holmdel, NJ
Fun Factor 7
Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms
2145 NJ-35, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Date we played: March 15, 2025
Booking size 2 to 10; We recommend 3 to 5
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: Your grandfather is nearing retirement. Who will take over the business? And more importantly, continue to make his renowned delicious chocolate? Enter your grandfather’s candy shop to see if you can solve the puzzles to lead you to his secret recipe for making his delicious chocolate and prove you are his worthy successors
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing The Candy Shoppe at Puzzle Connect in Holmdel, NJ and recommend it with a Fun Factor of 7. That rating is based on the charming set, immersive puzzles and fun game flow.
Candy shop-themed rooms are not uncommon, but Puzzle Connect distinguishes itself with impressive art direction and unique custom-made props. Highlights included real candy in the displays (you can eat with your eye…so no calories) and an exclusive Snoopy PEZ dispenser—a charming detail featured in our end-of-game photo.
The scenario effectively integrates puzzles with the story, justifying their presence as challenges your grandfather set to safeguard his prized chocolate recipe. This narrative framing works particularly well for families and children, given the bright, cheerful atmosphere. Kids will especially enjoy the scavenging aspect of finding hidden items—a skill at which younger players often excel…but I do not.
However, the puzzles are genuinely satisfying for adults too, falling solidly within an intermediate difficulty range. There's a thoughtful balance, with some puzzles being straightforward and others offering a bit more complexity. Experienced escape room players should find ample opportunity to solve puzzles at a pleasant pace.
Another prop piece specially designed and built for Puzzle Connect!
Puzzle Connect clearly prioritizes player comfort and puzzle accessibility. We appreciated the logical puzzle designs, clear solutions, and smooth game progression without any unnecessary physical challenges. There is no crawling or climbing needed for this room.
The Candy Shoppe can be booked by groups of 2 to 10 players, but we believe the sweet spot (pun intended!) to be 3 to 5 players. While experienced duos can handle the game well, larger groups will find sufficient room and content.
From the moment we walked into Puzzle Connect, we felt genuinely welcomed. Every team member we met was friendly, engaging, and clearly passionate about escape rooms. It wasn’t just about running games—they truly enjoyed discussing puzzles, themes, and experiences, making our visit even more enjoyable.
One small but meaningful touch that stood out to us was the title they give their game monitors: *Game Hosts.* It’s a simple change – that we see occasionally - but it made a big difference in how we felt. Rather than just overseeing our progress, our host made sure we had a fantastic experience, much like a great host would at their home. That thoughtful detail reinforced the welcoming atmosphere, making us feel like valued guests rather than just players passing through. That kindness and welcoming adds to the fun!
Very welcoming and friendly! We learned that they can host team building events.
We particularly enjoyed how well the puzzles tied into the candy and chocolate-making theme, especially one standout puzzle near the end. This multilayered challenge required careful observation, tactile interaction, and logical deduction, offering a fresh and enjoyable experience we hadn’t seen before.
Yum!
Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms is conveniently located in a shopping area with easy, free parking.
If you're in the area, we recommend trying The Candy Shoppe at Puzzle Connect. For an extended visit, consider playing their other rooms as well— Frozen In Time: The Race To Save Christmas, another excellent choice for families and our favorite at Puzzle Connect is Curse of the Hidden Temple. If you visit, please let them know you saw this Fun Factor Escape Room Review—let us know what you think…and HAVE FUN!
