There’s something oddly thrilling about spending the night in a jail cell… on purpose. Not for a crime, obviously, but for the quirky, spine-tingly novelty of sleeping where outlaws, pirates, or maybe even poets once did. Around the world, a few brilliant minds decided to take crumbling prisons and turn them into boutique hideouts, and these jail hotels have become a strange new breed of luxury adventure. Imagine waking up under arched ceilings, behind iron bars, with Egyptian cotton sheets and room service. It’s bizarre, it’s bold, and yeah, it’s totally bucket-list-worthy.
Check out cheap flight deals online, because no one wants to get robbed while visiting a jail hotel, of course!
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The Alcatraz Hotel, Kaiserslautern, Germany
No, not that Alcatraz, this one’s in Germany, and it’s every bit as fascinating. The Alcatraz Hotel in Kaiserslautern used to be an actual prison until the late 1970s. Today, it’s a mix of humour and history, with old cells transformed into minimalist rooms that keep some original details, including barred windows, narrow doors, and steel beds (now thankfully comfy). Downstairs, the “cell bar” serves beer and bratwurst instead of bread and water.
Reserve the best hotels in Germany early because it’s one of the most sought-after jail hotels in Europe, especially during the Kaiserslautern Christmas Market. And yes, there’s Wi-Fi. Even inmates get Instagram now.
P.S. Secure the all-inclusive Germany tour packages to explore Best Christmas Markets in Germany in 2025!
The Bodmin Jail Hotel, Cornwall, England
Built in 1779, The Bodmin Jail Hotel once held prisoners awaiting their fate under the flicker of candlelight. Now, it’s a moody gothic escape that blends brutal history with plush velvet, rainfall showers, and dimly lit hallways that could be straight out of a movie. The owners poured £50 million into restoring it, and it shows. You must check it out by hopping on cheap flights to London.
There’s a sense of drama everywhere: stone corridors, heavy cell doors, and a restaurant that once hosted public executions. Creepy? Maybe. Cool? Absolutely. Pair your stay with a wander through the Cornish countryside and a trip to Tintagel Castle. Secure budget and luxury hotels in London bookings, as you’ll need them in England’s pricier corners.
Oxford Jail Hotel, Oxford, UK
Once part of Her Majesty’s Prison Oxford, this now-iconic stay, officially the Malmaison Oxford, blends old-school charm with rockstar luxury. You sleep in what used to be real cells, complete with arched ceilings and iron doors, only now they’re lined with plush linens and ambient lighting.
The best bit? Breakfast in the old chapel courtyard, sunlight streaming through tall glass panels that used to be barred. It’s one of the few luxury prisons where you’ll beg to extend your sentence. Apply for your UK visa online to check it out!
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Lucerne Jail Hotel, Switzerland
In the heart of Lucerne sits a time capsule of Swiss precision meets rebellion, the Barabas Hotel. Built in 1862, it kept criminals until 1998, and now it’s an offbeat traveller magnet. Murals painted by former inmates still decorate some walls. There’s even a room once belonging to a famous artist-prisoner, Walter Stürm, known as “The Jailbreaker.” Apply for your Switzerland Visa online.
Breakfast is served in the old mess hall, and it’s the kind of place where you wake up wondering if you’re in a movie or a memory. Lucerne’s cobbled streets and lakeside breeze add that extra magic. If you’re planning your escape to Switzerland, find a cheap flight ticket to Zurich and explore.
Jail Hotel Boston, USA
Yes, there’s one across the Atlantic too, the Jail turned into Hotel Boston, now known as The Liberty Hotel. Built in 1851, it once held notorious inmates in Beacon Hill, Boston’s most historic neighbourhood. Today, those granite walls echo with laughter, jazz, and clinking cocktail glasses.
The lobby bar “Clink” still flaunts original cell doors, and the restaurant “Alibi” is decorated with celebrity mugshots. Irony much? It’s swanky, social, and still slightly sinister in the best way. Staying here feels like breaking rules… legally. Want to feel the thrill of the illegal, but legally? Apply for your US visa online and secure cheap flights to New York to begin!
Het Arresthuis, Roermond, Netherlands
This Dutch gem, literally translating to “The House of Arrest,” nails the blend of design and dark history. Each suite in Het Arresthuis was once four prison cells combined into one, so there’s plenty of room to roam. Sleek furniture, muted lighting, and luxury touches replace the gloom of the past, which you can explore with exciting Netherlands tour packages.
Fun twist: the rooms are named “The Judge,” “The Lawyer,” “The Governor”, so reserve by securing the best hotels in Amsterdam. Breakfast comes with flaky pastries and strong coffee, because freedom never tasted better.
Discover: Turn Hotel Nightmares into Dream Staycations by Knowing What to Look For.
Långholmen Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden’s capital hides one of the most atmospheric jail hotels around. The Långholmen Hotel sits on a green island that once held Stockholm’s central prison. The cells are tiny but tastefully redone, and it’s now spotless whites, with smart storage, and a calm vibe.
The prison operated from the 1840s until 1975, and the building now includes a museum and a lively café serving cinnamon buns so good they should be illegal. Stay here by reserving the best hotels in Sweden online after applying for your Sweden visa.
Which among these intriguing jail hotels would be your first choice for a vacation? Let us know in the comments below!
Summing Up
From the haunted halls of The Bodmin Jail Hotel to the artistic cells of Lucerne Jail Hotel, these 7 jail hotels redefine travel adventure. Each prison-turned-hotel blends history with luxury, still keeping its iron bars, velvet beds, and cheeky puns on “doing time.” Perfect for travellers who crave weird, wonderful stays. Freedom’s great, sure, but one night behind these stylish bars? Totally worth the arrest record.
Also Read:
- Turn Your Layover into Staycation at the World’s Best Airport Hotels.
- Ever Wondered Which is the Safest Hotel Floor? Here’s Your Answer
- Boutique Hotels Celebrating Local Art and Handicraft Heritage.
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