5 Luxury Hotels That Used to Be Notorious Prisons

Photo: Het Arresthuis – Facebook

5. Het Arresthuis, the Netherlands

Built in: 1666, established as a prison in 1863

Opened as a hotel in: 2011

Over the years, Het Arresthuis has served as a bishop’s palace, military hospital, barracks and Halls of Justice. Today, the hotel embraces its fascinating history, particularly when it comes to naming its suites like The Lawyer and The Jailer. My pick for the best room for two is the spacious Deluxe Cells which were former prison recreation rooms. 

Coolest fact: In 1866 when the Netherlands got its own Penal Code, the Het Arresthuis building housed small time criminals and those awaiting trial, so naturally it has less chance of being haunted than the others.

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