Archive · 13 Sep 2025
Hotels with Unique Histories: From Jails to Palaces
Some hotels around the world used to be something else!
For instance, the Liberty Hotel in Boston was once a jail, now offering luxury suites.
The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur was built as a palace for royalty.
The Kruisherenhotel in the Netherlands was originally a monastery.
The Hacienda de los Santos in Mexico was once a sugar mill.
Finally, the Malmaison Oxford was originally a castle, then a prison, now a hotel.
These hotels offer guests a chance to stay in a piece of history, enjoying modern comforts within historic structures.
Several hotels are repurposed from former jails, palaces, and monasteries.
The Liberty Hotel in Boston was once the Charles Street Jail.
The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur was a royal summer retreat.
The Kruisherenhotel in Netherlands was a Gothic monastery.
Hacienda de los Santos in Mexico was a sugar mill.
Malmaison Oxford was originally a castle and prison.
- Who
- Hotels around the world
- What
- Hotels converted from former jails, palaces, monasteries, and other unique buildings
- When
- 18th century and 15th century for some buildings, with modern renovations.
- Where
- Boston, Udaipur, Netherlands, Alamos, Oxford
- Why
- To offer unique lodging experiences in historic buildings.
- Liberty Hotel
- Former Charles Street Jail, Boston
- Taj Lake Palace
- Former royal summer retreat, Udaipur
- Kruisherenhotel
- Former Gothic monastery, Netherlands
- Hacienda de los Santos
- Former sugar mill, Alamos, Mexico
- Malmaison Oxford
- Former castle and prison