Notorious prison is transformed into luxury hotel (and guests still sleep in the cells)


By
Anthony Bond
PUBLISHED: 17:28 GMT, 25 February 2013 | UPDATED: 07:36 GMT, 26 February 2013

It was previously a place from which people desperately wanted to leave.
As one of the Netherlands' most feared prisons for almost 150 years, Het Arresthuis was not a place you would want to stay.
But following its closure and something of a makeover, people are now paying good money to spend a night at the former jail.

Grim: As one of the Netherlands' most feared prisons for almost 150 years, Het Arresthuis was not a place you would want to stayGrim: As one of the Netherlands' most feared prisons for almost 150 years, Het Arresthuis was not a place you would want to stay

Luxury: Following its closure and something of a makeover, people now pay big money to spend at least one night the old holding cellsLuxury: Following its closure and something of a makeover, people now pay big money to spend at least one night in the old holding cells

Change: The 105 prisoner¿s quarters have been converted into 40 spacious roomsChange: The 105 prisoner's quarters have been converted into 40 spacious rooms
Intimidating: This picture shows Het Arresthuis when it was a notorious prisonIntimidating: This picture shows Het Arresthuis when it was a notorious prison
The 105 prisoner’s quarters have been converted into 40 spacious rooms,  including 24 standard rooms, 12 deluxe rooms, and four suites, all of which feature modern furnishings and chic interior design.
All of the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen TV, free WiFi, and even a personal coffee and tea machine.

 
The hotel also features a  sauna, fitness centre, central patio with olive trees, and an organic herb garden. 
Het Arresthuis opened its doors in 1862 and quickly established a reputation as an intimidating jail.
Fancy: All of the rooms feature modern furnishings and chic interior design. This picture shows guests enjoying dinnerFancy: All of the rooms feature modern furnishings and chic interior design. This picture shows guests enjoying dinner

Makeover: This image shows one of the rooms, which used to be a cell for prisonersMakeover: This image shows one of the rooms, which used to be a cell for prisoners

Stylish: This image shows part of one of the bathroomsStylish: This image shows part of one of the bathrooms
Relaxing: Guests enjoy drinks and food in this pleasant terrace areaRelaxing: Guests enjoy drinks and food in this pleasant terrace area
Despite the prison featuring lots of bars, this place has both kinds – the ones you can’t get past and the ones where you can get a drink.
After being abandoned for a number of years, the jail reopened in 2002. But in mid 2007 it closed permanently after which construction of the hotel began. 
Het Arresthuis was also called 'bolletjesbajes' which translates as stuffer's prison.
Accommodation: Het Arresthuis opened its doors in 1862, as a prison. It closed down for good in 2007Accommodation: Het Arresthuis opened its doors in 1862, as a prison. It closed down for good in 2007

Pleasant: Unlike prisoners who were always keen to leave their cells, guests actually pay big money to spend a night herePleasant: Unlike prisoners who were always keen to leave their cells, guests actually pay big money to spend a night here

Scary: Despite the cells having a nice makeover, the original doors have been kept in placeScary: Despite the cells having a nice makeover, the original doors have been kept in place
Plush: The jail most certainly did not have a bar like this when it was openPlush: The jail most certainly did not have a bar like this when it was open

Het Arresthuis is not the only former prison which has been transformed into a hotel.
After closing in 1996, Oxford Prison was transformed into a Malmaison hotel.
Another prison which is now a hotel is the Jailhotel Lowengraben in Lucerne
Built in 1862, it was used as a prison until 1998, before being converted into a hotel.
Welcoming: This shows one of the entrances to the hotel
Welcoming: This shows one of the entrances to the hotel
Het Arresthuis
Het Arresthuise
Nice touch: The hotel has been fitted out with luxury design features

Sparkling: The kitchen facilities are certainly an improvement on those when Het Arresthuis was a jailSparkling: The kitchen facilities are certainly an improvement on those when Het Arresthuis was a jail

Fun: Its doubtful that the prisoners who used to stay here looked as happy as these guestsFun: Its doubtful that the prisoners who used to stay here looked as happy as these guests