Sleeping in Prison Hotels and Bunkers

Several years ago I volunteered at an event and rather than put us up in a hostel or hotel they put us up in a bunker and the experience was good. The advantage of a bunker is that it’s clean, and quite spacious, so you can choose which room to spend time in.

The beds are minimal, and you sleep on a simple bunk bed with just a pad and your sleeping bag. The showers are minimal too, just a cubicle like you would expect at a swimming pool, rather than with any privacy.

Yesterday I noticed that some people are sleeping in prisons that have been converted into hotels. Although this may sound grim to some the rooms have been expanded. What would have been a cell for two or three people has now been optimised for two or three people, with the two adjoining cells being used to provide people with a private bathroom as well as more space. The result is a prison stay that is more enjoyable than if you were a prisoner.

The windows are high up and small. You’re in a cell, like in a convent. You’re meant to reflect on what you did wrong and feel regret. In the case of the hotel it’s a good way of recycling an old building.

What I don’t understand is why these have been transformed into luxury experiences, in England, rather than cheap experiences such as hostels, refuges and more. If I was to stay in a prison cell hotel I would want it to be minimal and cheap, ideal for a hiking holiday for example.

I saw Bodmin Jail and HMP Oxford, or Malmaison being mentioned. These are both “luxurious” rather than real prison experiences. It’s not that I want a prison cell with a simple mat and blanket but I’d like something more in keeping with the theme. A prison youth hostel would be ideal.

Barbaras Lucern Hotel is more fun. They even have a four bed cell and canyoning deal. This is what I would expect a former prison to be about. You find a group, you plan a Via ferrata or three, since the drive is more than two hours. You spend the night in prison, go to climb, have a good time, and then sleep in prison before heading home. I find the idea amusing.

And Finally

While writing this article I could find mention of just three or four prison hotels. Either prisons are still in use or they are demolished and replaced when they are retired. I think prison hostels could be interesting. The reason for which these prisons become luxury hotels may be due to cost of upkeep. Old structures require constant upkeep and maintenance.