Prison Hotels - Old Prisons that are now Hotels in the UK

January 19, 2022
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Prison Hotels – Old Prisons that are now Hotels in the UK

Want to know more about Prison Hotels in the UK? Well we have you covered!

Telling people that you’re going to stay in a prison for the weekend does not sound appealing. However, many old prisons are now luxurious and elegant hotels.

Gone are the bare essentials. Instead, what you’ve today are comfortable beds, super-fast WiFi, fine dining and staff to cater for all your needs. In addition, there are tons of extra amenities such as indoor swimming pools, spas and cinema halls. So are you interested in staying at a fancy prison hotel?

Here are the best fun former prisons turned hotels in the UK.

1. Malmaison Prison Hotel in Oxford

Location: Oxford Castle, 3 New Rd, Oxford OX1 1AY

Malmaison Prison Hotel Prices: from £275 per night.

At the Malmaison Prison Hotel in Oxford, TV Shows such as Bad Girls, Inspector Morse and The Bill were all filmed!

When you stay at the Malmaison in Oxford you enjoy a luxury experience. The hotel is a converted Victorian prison located in the middle of Oxford’s redeveloped Castle quarters.

The unique hotel has tall 18th-century buildings surrounded by a stone wall. These interconnected buildings include the former Governor’s house and the old House of Correction with its towers. The part of the prison where executions were always carried out is now a block of offices. Built by William the Conqueror in 1086, the Oxford Castle is wonderfully maintained. Its interior features a heritage and shopping centre.

The Malmaison Prison Hotel in Oxford has 95 rooms and suites. These former cells have done their time. They’re now reformed as luxurious suites fitted with super comfy beds, powerful showers and super fast WiFi. As some of Oxford’s most stunning hotel rooms, they are spacious and good for the long haul.

The following are the type of rooms you can find at the Malmaison Prison hotel in Oxford…

Standard Double House of Correction
Standard Double
Club Double
Standard Double Cell Room
Club Double Cell room
Junior Suite
Suite
Signature Suite

Each room at the Malmaison Prison hotel in Oxford includes same-day laundry, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. Extra beds are available for children aged 3 to 14 years, but they are only available in Superior rooms at £30 per bed per night.

The brasserie and restaurant are at the heart of the hotel. All dishes are usually prepared with a modern twist and served in a unique setting. Guests have the opportunity of indulging in fine Black Angus steaks, crème brûlée and more. You can dine outside in the old prison Exercise yard or inside. If you’re looking for the perfect setting to celebrate an occasion, we recommend the hotel’s brasserie and restaurant.

At the Chez Mal bar, you can order a martini, rioja, mojito or pinot. The bar is at the Chez Mal brasserie and offers seating indoors and in the courtyard.

2. The Bodmin Jail Hotel

Location: Scarlett’s Well Rd, Bodmin PL31 2PL

The Bodmin Jail Hotel Prices: from £290 per night.

Make the Bodmin Jail Hotel your new hideaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Located deep in the heart of Cornwall, this elegant haven of luxury and history was once a notorious Cornwall prison.

Built during the reign of King George III in 1779, the Bodmin Jail Hotel was part of the Prison Reform and a milestone in prison design. It had individual cells, segregated male and female areas. The prison was initially a debtor’s prison until 1869 when it was abolished. From 1887, the Royal Navy occupied the prison and used the facility to house the Crown Jewels during World War II.

Like most prisons in the UK, the Bodmin Jail Hotel has a dark history. Thousands of people have passed through its doors, and over 55 executions have taken place. The last execution was in 1909, and two decades later, the prison was closed.

Over 100 years later, the Bodmin Jail is not only a historic landmark. But a hotel that offers stunning accommodation and dining experience. The hotel offers the following rooms:

Luxury King
Twin Rooms
Executive Governor’s Rooms
Family Rooms
Accessible Rooms

All the rooms are tastefully designed to provide the look and feel of genuine heritage. Each room has a flat-screen TV, free WiFi, well-thought bathroom and comfortable beds to offer comfort and indulgence. The hotel also has a selection of dog-friendly rooms, ensuring that you bring along your furry friend.

While staying at the hotel, enjoy an exquisite dining experience at the Bodmin Jail Hotel restaurant. Whether fast food or a la carte meal, the Chapel Restaurant and Bar plus the Jolly Hangman offer irresistible eateries. The bar offers fine wine, elegant cocktail ingredients, warming spirits, cold beers, soft drinks and more as you enjoy your evening.

Just sit back and relax in the plush seating and subdued lighting in the hotel’s bar and lounge.

3. The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch

Location: 335-337 Old St, London EC1V 9LL

The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch Prices: from £179 per night.

Amid London’s artistic and creative epicentre is the Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch. Perfect for guests looking for a tailored experience, the hotel has a rich historical significance.

Set within a Grade II Baroque building, it was once the Old Street Magistrates and Police Station. The building held several high profile cases, such as the Kray Twins and the London mobsters. It has also housed notorious criminals and the author of Animal Farm and 1984, Arthur Blair, well known as George Orwell.

Located opposite the vibrant Carnaby Street at the heart of the shopping district, the Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch has 86 guest rooms and 42 suites. Each of the 5-star guest rooms is individually designed with stylish furnishing. Boasting of a contemporary design, the guest rooms and suites offer a one of a kind experience. Examples of rooms include:

Dalston King
Magistrates King
Xscape King
Hoxton Studio Suite
Hoxton Family Suite
Shoreditch Suite
Shoreditch Sky Terrace Suite

Within the The Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch is a 196 seat cinema, top of the line spa, indoor swimming pool and a two-lane bowling alley. These are perfect for private events. Enjoy delicious cocktails and beverages at the JailHouse bar whilst surrounded by significant architecture.

At Judge and Jury, guests are always surrounded by court memorabilia and leather-bound journals. This ensures a personalized experience as you enjoy your full English breakfast or afternoon tea.

Upper 5th Shoreditch offers a panoramic view of London’s skyline. The Shoreditch Sky Terrace can accommodate 200 guests. It has comfortable seating with state of the art music system and table service.

Food services are available for larger group bookings. But hotel guests can enjoy a lovely BBQ buffet selection or canapes during their stay. However, Upper 5th Shoreditch is available for exclusive hire.

On the first floor of the original Magistrates Court building is the Members Bar. The former juvenile court is an exclusive members bar. It has original dark wood features and oval-shaped stained glass windows. Currently, the bar is available for private events only.

4. Clink78

Location: 78 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9QG

Clink78 Prices: from £28 per night

Set in an old courthouse in King’s Cross, a buzzing cultural quarter, the Clink78 is a vibrant hostel. The 200-year-old courthouse was where punk rockers, the Clash, were famously tried for shooting pigeons in 1978.

This is how Clink78 was born. Two sisters, Anne and Shelly from Dublin, wanted to experience new places and cultures. So they started travelling around the world, and their choice of accommodation was hostels. On returning home, they realized that hostels provide a perfect space for like-minded people with a passion for adventure. So, inspired by their experiences, they chose to create a space where like-minded travellers could stay.

Travellers can sleep in a real cell converted into a private room that sleeps 1 or 2 people. The refurbished rooms have shared bathroom facilities located on every floor. Towels and bed linen are both provided. Each room has a heavy door that guests can only access using a keycard from outside. From the inside, it opens freely.

Travellers have the choice of the following rooms:

Twin Room
Double Room
Family en-suite
Mixed Dorms
8 to 12 bedded girl only dorms

The girl only dorms have bunk beds with built-in reading lights. Guests can hire towels for a small fee at the reception. The hostel has a well equipped and self-catering kitchen where you can cook tasty and budget-friendly meals.

You can also order curries, chicken wings and tasty pizzas from the ClashBar. The bar has an open plan seating where you can enjoy your meal with friends and like-minded travellers. At the time of writing, Clink78 was temporarily closed. They will reopen in March 2022.