3 of a kind

Hotels in former prisons

THE LIBERTY HOTEL

215 Charles Street, Boston, 001-617-224-4000, libertyhotel.com

Malcolm X was one of the most famous prisoners who spent time in the former Charles Street Jail, now known as the Liberty Hotel. As with the Helsinki prison hotel (below), this too was built in the 1800s in a style that it was hoped would bring better conditions for prisoners. It was designed by architect Gridley James Fox Bryant in consultation with penologist Louis Dwight – and had more natural ventilation and light than many prisons.

But for all the good intentions, it was declared unfit for use in 1973 and was converted into a hotel in 2001. This was done in collaboration with local historical societies to get a good mix between history and modern comforts.

The granite exterior and light-filled interior has remained, and the vast 90ft high central atrium – with its walkways – now forms the hotel’s lobby. The former exercise yard is now a landscaped courtyard and in the restaurant – called Clink – there are tables in preserved jail cells with barred windows.

The hotel is beside the smart neighbourhood of Beacon Hill and near the river.

RoomsThere are nearly 300 rooms, all decorated in pale rose and taupe, with mahogany details. They range from 37sq m to 74sq m (400 to 800sq ft) and have floor-to-ceiling windows, some with ornate ironwork. Prices from $199 (€153) for a double.

MALMAISON

3 Oxford Castle, New Road, Oxford OX1 1AY, 0044-1865-268400, malmaison.com

The striking thing about many prisons is that they were often located quite near city centres so, bizarrely, are quite convenient for tourists (as, conversely, in their sad days they were convenient for families visiting prisoners).

This hotel in Oxford is no exception, being just around the corner from the city centre and the university college buildings. The interior has been done with a mix of Malmaison’s trade solid-chic and faithfulness to the past. The central stairway has been left much as it was in the dark days, although it is well preserved and painted.

Staying in the upper cells, with their high, small windows, gives a sense of the enclosure prisoners would have felt, but whereas one cell used to accommodate three prisoners, double rooms with en suites now comprise three cells knocked into one. The breakfast and restaurant food is excellent. Ask to see the unconverted cell where Porridgewas filmed.

Rooms: You don't have to sleep in a former cell – although the experience is worth it – there are also bright, glassy, airy rooms overlooking the (now grassed) former exercise yard at the rear. Doubles from £170 (€204).

HELSINKI HOTEL KATAJANOKKA

Merikasarminkatu 1A, 00160 Helsinki, 00-358-9686-45132, bwkatajanokka.fi

After Russia won a war against Sweden and got Finland into the bargain, this prison was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas in 1832. This now comprises the white wing of Hotel Katajanokka and contains a former church, which retains its hand-planed wooden floors.

In the late 1880s, Tsar Alexander III commissioned three new wings with redbrick walls and based on the then worldwide model of having an open central hall surrounded by corridors, and cells measuring 7sq m (75sq ft).

Much of this form remains intact because the building was listed. It was converted into a hotel in 2007 in consultation with the Finnish Board of Antiquities.

The open central corridor, redbrick outer walls and the high perimeter wall around the maple-studded grounds serve as a reminder of the building’s dark history. Past prisoners include Risto Ryti, the country’s president from 1940-44, who was held here during a post-war trial.

The centre of Helsinki is 10 minutes by tram and 15 minutes on foot.

Rooms: As with Malmaison in Oxford, two to three cells have been knocked through to make each room – and those thick walls have a tendency to make you feel secure. Some of the en suites have retained their exposed brick walls, now painted white. There are 106 rooms in all, complete with non-penal modern amenities such as TVs, air-con, internet and kettles. There's a 24-hour gym for those who like punishment. Prices from €146 B&B.