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UK Prisons, jails, courtrooms ...
converted to holiday accommodation, hotels, hostels, B&Bs

 Clink78
located: London, UK
website: HClink78
A modern hostel in a former courthouse in a very central location close to King's Cross/St. Pancras underground station. Offering high-tech pod beds with reading lights and personal lockers, self-catering kitchen, bar, TV courtroom, Internet courtroom with Wi-Fi, and secure key-card access to every room.

 Malmaison Oxford
located: Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
website: Malmaison
Former Victorian prison, now transformed into a stunning boutique hotel offering unique luxury in historic Oxford. Stylish rooms, fabulous original architecture, a divine brasserie and two bars come together at Malmaison Oxford. Spend a night in a converted cell complete with luxurious additions including a power shower, mood lighting, CD and DVD players and satellite TV.

 The Old Court Guesthouse
located: Temple Cloud, Somerset, UK
website: Old Court
Family-run grade II listed guesthouse, near Bath. This imposing Gothic Victorian building was formerly a courthouse; it's been tastefully converted with modern style but still retains features from its previous use, including a magnificent courtroom reception and a number of jail cell guest rooms.

 Courthouse – Henllys (The)
located: Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia, Wales, UK
website: www.guesthouse-snowdonia.co.uk
Bed and breakfast accommodation in a building that once served as the police station and magistrates court for Betws-y-Coed. Comfortable guest bedrooms in appropriately names rooms (Fingerprint, Interrogation, Handcuff, Lawyers) as well as the Cell Room converted to a comfortable single. Breakfast is served in the former courtroom.

 Old Police Cells (The)
located: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
website: www.theoldpolicecells.co.uk
Ground floor self-catering apartment for two in the centre of Shrewsbury. Housed in the old police cells this apartment features barrelled ceilings, brick walls and the original cell doors, complimented by contemporary design and comfortable furnishing.

– Holiday accommodation, hostels & hotels in jails, prisons – 
& courtrooms in Europe & beyond

Alcatraz Hotel am Japanischen Garten
located: Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
website: Alcatraz Hotel
Germany's first prison-hotel, offering both cell-style and conventional rooms, located near the Japanese Garden in Kaiserslautern. In the cell-style rooms, guests can taste a little bit of prison life via barred windows and original prison beds, breakfast can be served through the hatch of the original prison door if desired; more conventional comforts are available in the hotel rooms and suites.

Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka
located: Helsinki, Finland
website: Hotel Katajanokka
The Historical Katajanokka prison, dating from 1837, has been transformed into a luxurious ultramodern hotel, surrounded by lush parklands, walking distance from Helsinki city centre. Restaurant Jailbird has a prison theme and offers culinary delights while an idyllic summer terrace provides the chance to dine al fresco.

Hi-Ottawa Jail Hostel
located: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
website: Hi-Ottawa Jail Hostel
The only North American hostel in a restored prison that operated for over 100 years, formerly the Carleton County Gaol. Sleep in former jail cells, the prison hospital or perhaps the governor’s quarters in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Additional amenities include, a fully equipped kitchen, TV and games lounge, dining room, on-site internet access, laundry and parking.

Hostel Celica
located: Ljubljana, Slovenia
website: Hostel Celica
Hostel accommodation in a former military prison dating back to 1883. The 20 hostel 'cells' have retained the original cell bars on the doors and windows. It was named 'hippest hostel' by Lonely Planet and 'one of the 25 ultimate places to stay' by Rough Guides. There are also additional dormitories and an apartment.

Huis van Bewaring
located: Almelo, Overijssel, Netherlands
website: Huis van Bewaring
Unique accommodation in a comfortable modern hotel in a renovated prison in the heart of Almelo, walking distance from shops and restaurants. The beautifully decorated rooms are spacious and there is a cosy terrace. There is a sitting room and a dining room and guests can use the kitchen to make coffee and tea.

Jailhotel Löwengraben
located: Löwengraben, Lucerne, Switzerland
website: Jailhotel Löwengraben
The first jail hotel in Switzerland, used as a prison until 1998. Enjoy the unique atmosphere, including Club 'Knascht' (slang for Jail). All rooms are equipped with toilet, washbasin and shower. The really curious can stay in the 'unplugged-cells' which have been renovated to be as close as possible to the original cells; each cell-room has a private shower across the hall.

Jailhouse Accommodation
located: Christchurch, New Zealand
website: Jailhouse
A Christchurch hostel in renovated heritage accommodation with Gothic-revival style architecture; once a jail, a woman's prison and a military camp. The hostel has over thirty private rooms, available as singles, doubles or twin bunks; as well as some larger dorm rooms for groups or families.

Jail (The)
located: Mount Gambier, Australia
website: The Jail
Converted former prison with cell and non-cell hostel accommodation located close to Mount Gambier town centre with its numerous bars and restaurants. Offering double and twin rooms as well as dorm-style rooms in former jail cells. All beds are made on-site and are fitted with futon mattresses.

Karosta Prison
located: Karosta, Liepaja, Latvia
website: Karosta Prison
Not for the feint hearted! An opportunity to spend the night in a former military prison in 'prison-like' conditions – sleep on a prison bunk or iron bed and have a prison meal. Karosta Prison is considered to be even more impressive than Alcatraz and a stay here is certainly thought provoking! The prison has also been listed by Ghost Hunters International as one of the most haunted places on Earth. Overnight guests are offered free excursions around the interactive prison museum.

Långholmen Hotell
located: Stockholm, Sweden
website: Langholmen Hotell
Accommodation in a former crown prison in the center of Stockholm, also housing a captivating prison museum. The modern guest rooms are functionally furnished and have retained many authentic features. An attractive gallery, dating from 1866, is situated in the middle of the complex, creating a beautiful open atrium. The old prison entrance hall has been made into the reception and includes a 24-hour cafeteria.

 Old Jail Bed & Breakfast (The)
located: Minnesota, USA
website: www.oldjail.com
Unique apartment-style holiday accommodation in a former jail building retaining the original metal door and the bars on the windows! It offers a relaxing getaway and features a full-size bed, wooden fireplace, kitchen, separate entrance and a private deck overlooking scenic woodland.

 Jailer's Inn Bed & Breakfast
located: Kentucky, USA
website: www.jailersinn.com
The historic Old Nelson County Jail is now a unique and luxurious guesthouse. Six beautifully decorated guest rooms are all located in the renovated front jail, but the back jail remains relatively unchanged to give guests a sobering look at what conditions were like when it was a full operational jailhouse.