From Notorious Prison to Transformed Hotel with guests sleeping in the cells

 It was a place were 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.

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.

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.

Het Arresthuis is not the only former prison, which has been transformed into a hotel.