In Japan already in June will open a hotel chain Hoshino Resorts in the building of the former juvenile detention center in Nara. The prison, built in 1908, operated until 2017 and today has the status of a national cultural heritage site, writes euronews.com.
The hotel will have 48 suites, each created by combining several cells. The Nara Prison Museum will also open on the grounds.
In Istanbul, a former prison for political prisoners that once held writers and journalists is now operating as the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. The building, erected in 1918, has been completely renovated and has been welcoming guests in the historic city center since 1996.
In Offenburg, Germany, the prison where participants of the Baden Revolution were held in the 19th century became Hotel Liberty. Architects preserved elements of the cells and reminders of the building’s past, transforming it into a boutique hotel near the Black Forest.
In Boston, the Charles Street Jail, which operated from 1851 to 1990, has operated as The Liberty Hotel since 2007. The historic atrium, bars and former cells have become part of the interiors, and the building’s past is told on tours.
In Australia, The Interlude, a boutique hotel, has opened on the grounds of the famous Pentridge Prison. It has only 19 suites created from several cells, and the complex is positioned as an urban wellness retreat.
Experts note that the interest in such facilities is connected with the growing demand for “meaningful travel”, where tourists combine comfort with historical context.
