If you have ever wondered what happens to old prisons once they are no longer in use, there’s one unique way they’re being converted. Some have transformed into luxurious hotels, offering an intriguing experience for guests. These former prison-turned-hotels not only provide a glimpse into the history of the location but also offer top-notch amenities and services that cater to the needs of discerning travelers.
From retaining the original architectural features to incorporating modern comforts, these converted prisons blend the past with the present, creating an unconventional stay for those seeking an extraordinary accommodation option.
HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel – Ottawa, Canada
Once the Carleton County Jail (1962-1972), the HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel has rooms ranging from simple bunk beds to more comfortable beds. Guests can take tours of the facility, visiting the top floor that housed death row prisoners. Some even claim to have seen ghosts of former inmates during their stay. Much of the building remains in its original condition, including gallows, metal bar doors, and stone walls.
Langholmen Hotel – Stockholm, Sweden
Originally used as a women’s prison after the state purchased it in 1724, this building expanded over the next 250 years until its closure in 1975. Today, the hotel and hostel for young people still carry traces of the past, such as original metal doors, barred windows, and bunk-bed-connecting stairs. The construction itself is a museum, maintaining many original features and containing wall engravings depicting the prison’s history.
Malmaison Oxford – Oxford, United Kingdom
Built almost a thousand years ago, this property served as a palace before becoming Her Majesty’s Prison Oxford. It operated until 1996, transforming into one of the most luxurious hotels. It’s hard to recognize that this hotel was once a prison as it is filled with modern decorative items.
The Liberty Hotel – Boston, Massachusetts
Situated near Beacon Hill in Boston, The Liberty Hotel was built in 1851 and served as the Charles Street prison until 1990. The famous Malcolm X spent some time detained there. Today, the site features 298 luxurious rooms (19 of them in an original cell block) and several restaurants and bars.
Alcatraz Hotel – Japanischen Garten, Germany
The prison was open from 1867 to 2002. Today, it is a 56-room hotel. Guests can choose to sleep in one of the renovated rooms or in a “cell,” where they will find three floors of original cells with windows closed by iron bars and bathrooms. The hotel also provides what it calls a “complete” experience. Guests can have a traditional prison breakfast characterized by bread with jam and the option to wear striped pajamas. Despite having no connection to Alcatraz Island in California, the hotel features various photos of San Francisco as a tribute to the U.S. prison.
Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka – Helsinki, Finland
Formerly a prison in Finland, this property housed prisoners awaiting trial. At least 40% of all the country’s prisoners have passed through this prison, which closed in 2002. The brick walls and markings from that period remain intact, allowing the viewing of inscriptions made by former inmates. The rooms, designed with a minimalist style, have been reconstructed by combining two or three of the original cells, offering comfort and luxury, including saunas in the larger suites.
