Most people try their hardest to avoid spending a night in jail. But a growing number of travelers are actually booking one on purpose.
Around the world, historic prisons and jailhouses have been converted into hotels, inns, and hostels that offer something no ordinary accommodation can match: a genuine sense of history baked right into the walls. Some of these places have been transformed into five-star luxury retreats with gourmet restaurants and spa services, while others keep things simple and let the original architecture do the talking.
Former inmates would barely recognize these properties today, and that contrast is exactly what makes them so fascinating. Whether you are drawn to the dramatic stonework of a Victorian prison or the quirky charm of a converted county lockup, these 14 former jails now offer a night behind bars that you will actually want to remember.
1. The Liberty Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s most storied overnight stay sits inside the former Charles Street Jail, a granite landmark completed in 1851 that held inmates until 1990. The building’s cruciform layout and soaring 90-foot rotunda were originally designed to maximize supervision, but today that same dramatic space serves as the hotel’s awe-inspiring lobby.
Guest rooms blend modern comforts with playful nods to the building’s past, including do-not-disturb signs that read “Solitary” and tally-mark throw pillows. The original first-floor cells now house Alibi bar, complete with barred windows and brick walls.
Restaurants called CLINK and Scampo, the Italian word for “escape,” keep the theme going without overdoing it. The hotel sits on Beacon Hill with views of the Charles River, and guided historical tours are available for guests who want the full story behind those granite walls.
2. Jailhouse Inn, Newport, Rhode Island
A federal-style brick building dating to 1772 sounds like it belongs in a history textbook, but Newport’s Jailhouse Inn invites you to actually sleep inside one. This former county jail and police station has been carefully updated while keeping enough of its institutional character to remind guests exactly where they are staying.
Rooms come with private bathrooms, flat-screen televisions, and comfortable beds, and a complimentary continental breakfast starts each morning on a pleasant note. Free self-parking is a genuine bonus in a city where finding a spot can feel like its own ordeal.
The inn is just one block from Washington Square, putting Newport’s waterfront, the 1763 Touro Synagogue, and the historic Old Colony House within easy reach. The famed White Horse Tavern sits directly across the street, making dinner plans refreshingly simple after a day of exploring the city’s Gilded Age landmarks.
3. The Old Jail Inn, Parke County, Indiana
Built in 1879 in an Italianate style, Parke County’s former third jail spent over a century holding inmates before finding a far more welcoming second act as a one-of-a-kind Airbnb in downtown Rockville. Nine original cells have been converted into themed guest rooms, each named after a notorious figure like Dillinger, Jesse James, or the legendary duo Thelma and Louise.
Original lockdown controls remain on display, giving visitors a tangible connection to the building’s working past. Guests can even pose for mugshots with an instant camera and don a pair of complimentary handcuffs for the full effect.
The basement’s former holding cell has been repurposed as the Drunk Tank Winery, turning a space of detention into one of leisure. High-quality beds, fresh linens, and ample hot water round out the stay, making this a memorable base for exploring Parke County’s famous covered bridges.
4. The Cell Block, Clifton, Texas
Tucked into Clifton’s Art Alley, this compact 1930s two-cell jailhouse has been reimagined as one of Texas’s most unconventional overnight escapes. Rather than hiding its past, the property leans fully into the lockup theme, keeping original bars and concrete construction as central design features.
One cell holds a queen-size bed while the adjacent cell, partitioned with original bars and new glass walls, functions as an open-air bathroom with a modern shower. A vintage phonograph, lounge chairs, a small fridge, and a coffee maker fill out the living space, and a rooftop deck dubbed the “prison yard” adds an outdoor area with loungers and a natural gas fire pit.
A professionally installed mini-split AC and heater keep temperatures comfortable year-round despite the concrete construction. Positioned between Dallas and Austin, The Cell Block describes itself as a “bed and booze” experience, with local shops and galleries just a short walk away.
5. The Old Jail Bed and Breakfast, Taylors Falls, Minnesota
Originally built as a saloon in 1869 by the Schottmuller Brothers and connected to a cave used for keeping beverages cold, this Taylors Falls property added a jail next door in 1884. Local lore suggests the proximity was no coincidence, with the lockup serving as a convenient overnight solution for rowdy patrons from the saloon next door.
Listed on the National Historic Register and recognized as one of Minnesota’s oldest registered bed and breakfasts, the property now offers apartment-style suites with private entrances and jail-themed decor. The original iron door and window bars remain intact, and the “Cave Suite” lets guests take a warm bath in the same space that once kept barrels of beverages cold.
A full gourmet breakfast is delivered directly to each suite every morning. The inn overlooks the St. Croix River and sits beside Interstate State Park, with hiking trails, shops, and restaurants all within easy walking distance.
6. Malmaison Oxford, Oxford, England
Oxford is famous for its centuries-old university buildings, but few structures in the city have a backstory quite like Malmaison Oxford, which occupies the former Her Majesty’s Prison Oxford inside the historic Oxford Castle complex. Parts of the wider castle date to 1071, and the prison itself operated from 1786 until 1996 before being converted into a boutique hotel in 2006.
Three original prison cells were typically combined to create each guest room, with two forming the sleeping area and one becoming the en-suite bathroom. Plush beds, digital televisions, and complimentary Wi-Fi are standard, while minibars are cleverly disguised as old prison lockers.
An original untouched cell on the lower ground floor remains available for guests to explore, and the A-Wing’s central atrium, complete with metal galleries and glass walkways, is one of the most striking interior spaces in Oxford. The hotel’s location in the Oxford Castle Quarter puts major landmarks within easy reach.
7. Bodmin Jail Hotel, Bodmin, Cornwall, England
Cornwall’s most imposing historic structure has a history that runs deep: Bodmin Gaol was built in 1779 with the help of French prisoners of war and holds the distinction of being the first prison in Britain to house inmates in individual cells. Over 50 people met their fate here before the institution finally closed in 1927, after which the building briefly operated as a nightclub before its current transformation into a hotel.
Thick stone walls and arched openings from the original cell structure still define each guest room, giving the interiors a weight and character that no purpose-built hotel could replicate. The adjacent Bodmin Jail Attraction features a “Dark Walk” with theatrical effects, films, and projections exploring 18th and 19th-century penal life in Cornwall.
Guests can also explore the original Naval Wing, an actual execution pit, and the Administration Block. After a full day of history, the Courtyard Restaurant offers a relaxed bistro-style meal to round out the experience.
8. The Courthouse Hotel, London, England
The Grade II listed Great Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court in Soho holds the distinction of being the second-oldest magistrates’ court in the UK, and its guest list over the years included Oscar Wilde, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and cases connected to John Lennon. Charles Dickens himself reported from its halls in 1835.
After closing in 1998, it reopened in 2004 as a five-star hotel.
Three of the original jail cells have been repurposed as private VIP rooms within The Bar, where guests can sit where defendants once waited. The main courtroom, with its original oak paneling, judge’s bench, dock, and witness stand still intact, now serves as the setting for the hotel’s destination restaurant, Silk.
A private cinema, spa with a swimming pool, conference facilities, and the Soho Sky Terrace with city views make this far more than a novelty stay. Carnaby Street and Liberty London are just steps from the front door.
9. Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, Finland
Finland’s most notorious former prison now welcomes guests with considerably more warmth than it ever did during its operational years. Hotel Katajanokka, part of the Tribute Portfolio by Marriott, occupies a building whose history on Katajanokka Island stretches back to 1837, with the main structure completed in 1888.
The prison closed in 2002 after holding everyone from ordinary criminals to President Risto Ryti, who was detained here following war-crime trials in 1945.
Original iron staircases and one-meter-thick brick walls remain defining features of the building, while guest rooms have been soundproofed and fitted with triple-glazed windows, digital TVs, air conditioning, and mini-bars. Some suites include private saunas, a fitting touch for a Finnish hotel.
A former standard cell and a group cell in the basement are preserved for visitors to explore. The inner courtyard, once a bare exercise yard, now hosts an outdoor cafe, and Uspenski Cathedral and the central market are both a short walk away.
10. Het Arresthuis, Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands
Built in 1863 by state architect Allard Cornelis Pierson, the panopticon-style prison at the heart of Het Arresthuis was designed so a single guard could monitor over 100 cells from one central point. The building served as an Episcopal Palace, military hospital, and palace of justice before its final stint as a correctional facility, which ended in 2007.
After a meticulous renovation, it reopened in 2011 as a five-star hotel.
Original cell doors remain on their hinges and prison bars are still visible on windows throughout the property. Standard rooms were created by merging original cells and now include a sitting area, sleeping area, and private bathroom.
Four luxury suites are each themed around a role within the prison hierarchy, with names like “The Judge” and “The Director.”
A wellness area with a sauna, a gym, and Restaurant Damianz with its seasonal menu round out the amenities. The hotel is Green Key certified and sits a two-minute walk from Munsterplein in Roermond’s historic center.
11. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Türkiye
This handsome neoclassical building near Hagia Sophia was constructed between 1918 and 1919 as the Ottoman Empire’s first jailhouse in its capital, originally intended as a guesthouse before being quickly repurposed. It held figures ranging from those awaiting trial to notable intellectual dissidents, including Turkish poets Nazim Hikmet and Can Yucel, some of whom wrote celebrated works within its walls.
After closing in 1969 and briefly reopening as a military jail, the building was transformed into a Four Seasons hotel in 1996 and fully renovated by late 2021. The former exercise courtyard is now a manicured garden that supplies the hotel with fresh flowers and herbs, and the inscription on the main gate remains one of the few overt reminders of the building’s penal past.
Rooftop venue Sureyya offers views of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, while Avlu serves Anatolian cuisine in the garden courtyard. Sixty-five guest rooms are furnished with custom pieces crafted by local artisans.
12. Langholmen Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
Langholmen Island in Stockholm has shaken off its grim reputation as a prison island, a status it held from the 18th century until 1974, and now draws visitors for its parks, beaches, and one of the city’s most distinctive places to stay. The hotel occupies Langholmens Centralfangelse, a significant prison complex with an atrium gallery dating to 1866, converted into a hotel and hostel after the facility’s closure.
Guest rooms, affectionately called “cells,” have been refurbished to be bright and functional while retaining the narrow proportions of their original design. Options range from compact double cells with a 140cm bed to family-sized rooms with fold-out wall beds.
All include private bathrooms, televisions, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
An on-site prison museum is open daily, and weekend guided tours add historical context to the stay. The island offers nature trails, a beach, and kayaking, while the Hornstull district with its restaurants and metro station is a 10-minute walk away.
13. Jailhouse Accommodation, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Built in 1874 from 60-centimeter-thick concrete, the former Addington Prison operated for 125 years before closing in 1999. After sitting vacant for several years, the building was renovated in 2006 and reopened as an award-winning backpacker hostel that keeps its Gothic-revival architecture fully intact and makes no attempt to disguise what this building once was.
Room types range from singles and doubles to dorms and larger family configurations, all with plush beds and fresh linen. Complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi, free off-street parking, a well-equipped guest kitchen, movie rooms with streaming services, a pool table, and laundry facilities make daily life comfortable without stripping away the property’s character.
Room 20, a dedicated show room, has been preserved exactly as it was when the last prisoner departed, complete with inmate art protected behind glass. The Jailhouse sits within walking distance of Christchurch Railway Station, with the Botanic Gardens and city center reachable by a short bus ride.
14. The Old Mount Gambier Gaol, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia
Planning for this South Australian institution began in 1862, and it officially opened in 1866, operating continuously until 1995 when a newer facility took over. Today, the former gaol offers a range of accommodation that spans backpacker-style dormitories, twin bunk cells, double cells with en-suite toilets, and two-bedroom family units with private lounges and fully equipped kitchens.
Original heavy prison doors with peepholes remain on the cell rooms, now covered for privacy, and modified locks allow easy guest access. Electric blankets and wall heating make the stone-walled rooms comfortable even in cooler months.
The former chapel, library, and lounges now function as communal areas with internet access and televisions.
Three courtyards are available for outdoor activities, and historical information displays throughout the property walk guests through its long past. Located on Margaret Street, the gaol is a five-minute walk from Mount Gambier’s main street, shops, and the scenic Cave Gardens.
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