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Spending a night in a former prison: what to expect from a converted jail stay

For most of their history, prisons were places people desperately wanted to leave. Today, a number of former jails, gaols and detention buildings around the world have been given a second life as hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Where locked doors once kept people in, travellers now choose to check in for a night.

These conversions can be found on several continents, from old city jails in North America and historic gaols in Australia and New Zealand to former prisons in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Some are stylish hotels where the prison past is a quiet backdrop, others are budget hostels that lean into the history, and a few are small guesthouses in a converted cell block or a former police lock-up. This guide explains what sleeping in one is really like, how to approach the history with respect, and what to check before you book one of the stays listed on this page.

Why stay in a converted prison?

People choose a prison stay for many reasons. Some are drawn by architecture: long galleries, iron staircases, vaulted corridors and solid stone or brick buildings designed to last. Others are interested in history and social change, and want to understand how justice and punishment have developed over time. Many simply like the idea of an unusual night that they will remember and talk about for years.

Whatever your reason, it helps to remember that a converted prison is not a theme park. These buildings held real people, often in harsh conditions, and some held political prisoners or people who were treated unjustly. A good stay combines curiosity with respect.

From cell to guest room

How a prison has been converted makes a big difference to the experience. Broadly, you will find two approaches.

Rooms that keep the character of a cell. In some buildings, individual cells have been kept close to their original size and layout. Expect a compact room, sometimes with the original heavy door, a small high window and bare walls. Hostels in particular may keep this raw look, with bunk beds and shared bathrooms along the corridor.

Rooms made from several cells. In many hotels, walls between two or three cells have been removed to create a room of normal size with a private bathroom. The prison atmosphere is found more in the corridors, the central hall and the details: bars kept on a window, a peephole in the door, the original numbering, or exposed stonework.

Look closely at the room descriptions and photos, because two rooms in the same building can feel very different.

What the rooms are really like

• Small windows. Prison windows were built to let in a little light and air, not to offer a view. Some converted rooms have been given larger windows, but many remain small, set high in the wall or behind bars. Rooms can feel darker than you are used to.
• Thick walls. Solid masonry keeps rooms cool in hot weather and quiet from outside noise. It can also make them chilly in cooler months, and it often blocks phone signal and Wi-Fi.
• Heavy doors. Original doors are often solid and heavy. In modern conversions, guests can of course open them freely from the inside, but it is worth knowing how the lock works before you settle in for the night.
• Limited space. Storage may be basic, and there may be little room to open a large suitcase. Travel light if you can.

Sound, light and the feeling of being enclosed

Prisons were designed so that guards could see and hear along long wings and open galleries. That design can create unusual acoustics. Voices, footsteps and doors can echo through a central hall, while the rooms themselves may be very quiet. If you are a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the main hall, bar or reception, and pack earplugs.

Some guests find small rooms with little daylight uncomfortable. If you suffer from claustrophobia, look for a room made from joined cells, with a larger window or a view, rather than an original single cell. It is also fine to visit the building on a tour first, or book one night before committing to a longer stay.

History tours and learning about the past

Many converted prisons display old photographs, documents or objects, and some have a small museum area, preserved cells or guided tours. These can be the most rewarding part of the stay. Ask the staff what the building was used for, when it closed, and who was held there. In some countries, former prisons are also linked to difficult political periods, and local guides can help you understand that context. Listen with an open mind, and remember that for some people in the local community these stories are still personal.

Travelling with children

A former prison can be a fascinating place for older children and teenagers, and a good starting point for conversations about history, fairness and human rights. For younger children, the setting may be confusing or frightening, especially if there are displays about punishment. Check whether family rooms are available, since original cells are often too small for extra beds, and ask whether any areas or tours are not suitable for children.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is the room an original cell, or has it been created from several cells?
• How big is the window, and does the room get natural light?
• Does the room have a private bathroom, or are facilities shared?
• Are the original doors still in use, and how do they lock?
• How are the rooms heated or cooled?
• Is there a quiet room away from the bar, restaurant or central hall?
• Are there history tours, a museum area or information about the building's past?
• Are there lifts, or many stairs and narrow corridors?
• Are children welcome, and are there family rooms?
• Is there Wi-Fi and phone signal in the rooms?

Tips for a thoughtful stay

Arrive with time to explore the building before dark, when it is easier to take in the architecture. Read about the prison's history beforehand, so the details you see make sense. Be mindful when taking photos in preserved cells or memorial areas, and follow any requests from staff about where photography is appropriate. Avoid jokes that make light of the suffering that happened there, especially in front of staff or other guests who may have a personal connection. And take a moment, perhaps late in the evening when the corridors are quiet, to think about the very different nights that others once spent in the same walls.

Find your prison stay here

The converted prisons on this page are grouped by continent, country and region. Each link leads to the owner's own website, where you can see the rooms, check availability and book directly. Do you run a hotel, hostel or guesthouse in a former prison or jail? Add your link for free with the button above, so travellers interested in this unusual kind of stay can find you.