Bored of the ordinary and craving something extraordinary?
Hotels housed in former prisons around the world offer a truly unique experience to elevate your stay portfolio. Sleeping “behind bars” at these locations has never sounded cooler (or more memorable).
– Featured image credit: Hotel La Prison –
Sofitel Luang Prabang
With a fascinating dual past as both a former prison and the residence of a French Governor, this early 1900s property now welcomes guests as Sofitel Luang Prabang.
Its colonial grace remains and gracefully fused with modern touches across 25 suites, each with a private garden. The hotel offers a refreshing way to experience Luang Prabang.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet
Once the Sultanahmet Jail, this age-old establishment dating back to 1918 now houses the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet.
Beyond its signature Four Seasons hospitality, the hotel carries a captivating sense of history where whispers of the past mingle with modern elegance. Perfectly set in the heart of the Sultanahmet district, guests are just a stone’s throw away from some of Istanbul’s most treasured cultural icons.
Hotel La Prison
Trade your go-to romantic Parisian vacation for something far more intriguing at Hôtel La Prison in Béziers, France.
Once a functioning prison from the 1800s until 2009, this historic site completed its remarkable revamp into one of the city’s most distinctive stays in 2023.
The rooms, playfully named Cell, Standard Cell, and Atypical, are now dressed in plush comforts and stylish details. It’s proof that a night “behind bars” can be surprisingly chic.
The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
Originally Charles Street Jail, this iconic building now shines as The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston, a stay brimming with history and distinctive character.
Inside its grand walls, 298 rooms and suites exude Marriott’s signature simple yet sophisticated comfort, making it easy to forget the building’s penitentiary past.
One highlight is CLINK, an American restaurant where cozy vibes meet clever nods to history, including original cell doors as part of the décor.
Långholmen Hotel Stockholm
Discover a different side of Sweden at Långholmen Hotel Stockholm. Housed in a former prison, this historic hotel on the island of Långholmen lets guests enjoy the experience of a jail-themed stay (minus the restrictions).
Its cleverly named rooms — Compact Double Cell, Double Cell, and Standard Cell — are styled in a soothing minimalist palette of whites and browns, turning former confinement into a comforting stay.
Wilmina Hotel
It’s easy to forget that Wilmina Hotel in Berlin once served as a courthouse and women’s prison thanks to its fairytale-like garden and airy, minimalist interiors flooded with natural light.
White and wooden furniture, exposed brick walls, and elegant design details create a calming atmosphere, welcoming guests to leave their worries behind and simply breathe. Designed to transform a former space of detention into a hub of social interaction, the property is thoughtfully divided into multiple experiences: Wilmina Hotel, Wilmina Brot (a bakery), Wilmina Apartments, Amtsalon (an art and cultural space), Lovis Restaurant & Bar, and LOTTA Day Bar.
The Bodmin Jail Hotel
The Bodmin Jail Hotel sits within the historic walls of the 18th-century Bodmin Jail, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for your Cornwall getaway.
The rooms, thoughtfully refurbished from former cells, along with other areas of the hotel, retain elements of the original architecture, giving guests a tangible sense of the building’s past, while contemporary amenities ensure a pampered stay.