Hotel That Was A Prison In Oxford

Ever found yourself in a hotel room, wondering about its history? Like, maybe it was once a bustling marketplace or a grand old mansion? Well, buckle up, 'cause I've got a tale for you that'll make your next check-in a whole lot more interesting.

Picture this: You're in Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, and you've just checked into the Malmaison Oxford. It's all plush beds, sleek decor, and that fancy shower you've been craving. But here's the twist - this place wasn't always a hotel. Nope, it was once a prison. A prison!

I know, right? It's like staying in the real-life version of that game where you have to guess if the room was once a jail cell or a cozy nook. Spoiler alert: This one was definitely a jail cell.

From Bars to Beds

So, how did we go from bars to beds? Well, let's rewind a bit. The building, originally known as Oxford Prison, was built in the 1870s. It was designed to be a model prison, all high walls, heavy doors, and not a single window in sight. The idea was to keep the bad guys in and the good guys out. You know, the usual prison stuff.

Fast forward to the late 20th century. The prison closed its doors in 1996, and the building stood empty for years. It was like the world's most depressing haunted house, all echoing corridors and cold, hard floors. Then, in 2011, something amazing happened. A group of visionaries decided to turn the old prison into a hotel. And not just any hotel, but a chic boutique hotel.

Prison Life, Hotel Style

Now, you might be thinking, "That sounds like a fun challenge, but also a bit creepy." And you'd be right. Imagine trying to turn a place designed to keep people in into a place they'd want to stay. It's like trying to turn a dentist's drill into a massage tool. But the Malmaison team pulled it off.

Malmaison Oxford prison hotel review: A (luxury) night behind bars

They knocked down walls, added windows (because who wants to live in a dungeon?), and transformed the old prison governor's house into a swanky restaurant. They even kept some of the original features, like the old prison cells, now repurposed as cozy seating areas. It's like staying in a real-life game of Jenga, but with way more pillows.

And the best part? The hotel's even got a bar. A bar! In a former prison! It's like they took the old prison rulebook and threw it out the window. No more "lights out" at 8 pm, thank you very much. Now it's all "last orders" at 11 pm and "breakfast served until 12" the next day.

Why You Should Care

So, why should you care about this prison-turned-hotel? Well, aside from the obvious bragging rights of saying you've slept in a former jail cell, there's more to it than that.

Malmaison Oxford prison hotel review: A (luxury) night behind bars

You see, places like the Malmaison Oxford are a testament to how our cities change and evolve over time. They're a reminder that even the most unlikely spaces can be transformed into something beautiful and welcoming. It's like watching a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, but with fewer wings and more check-in desks.

Plus, it's just plain fun. Staying in a former prison is a unique experience that'll make your next trip to Oxford anything but ordinary. It's like staying in a real-life ghost story, but with room service. And who doesn't love room service?

So next time you're in Oxford, why not give the Malmaison a try? Just remember, if you hear strange noises in the night, it's probably just the echoes of the past. Or maybe it's the ghost of a former inmate who's jealous of your fancy shower. Either way, it's sure to make for a memorable stay.