Do time at this incredible jail hotel

The rooms overlook a central lounge area that is now filled with comfortable couches. Picture: Het Arresthuis

• Dutch jail converted to luxury hotel
• It still offers plenty of bars - of both kinds
• In pictures: The best jail hotels

THIS former jail has been converted into a hotel. Now people are lining up to get inside. You will be amazed by the transformation.

Het Arresthuis in Roermond, the Netherlands, housed some of Holland's most notorious prisoners after it was opened in 1862.

In 2002 the jail operated as an emergency facility for body stuffers – people who ingest drug vials to avoid prosecution. Het Arresthuis was also called "bolletjesbajes" which is translated as stuffer's prison.

In pictures: The best jail hotels

The rooms certainly have more facilities than when Het Arresthuis opperated as a jail. Picture: Het Arresthuis

Now all that is history. In 2007 work began to transform the prison into a luxury hotel. The result is amazing. 

Don't expect to be confined to close quarters during your stay. This is not basic accommodation. The 150 cells have been gutted and transformed into  24 standard rooms, 12 deluxe rooms, and four suites named The Jailer, The Lawyer, The Director and The Judge.

The hotel has kept the original cell doors as a reminder of what this hotel once was. The three stories of cell blocks overlook a common area now filled with comfortable plush couches. There's also a sauna, a fitness center, a central patio with olive trees, and an organic herb garden.

Het Arresthuis in Roermond, the Netherlands. Picture: Het Arresthuis

The prison courtyard, where prisoners were once forced to get their daily exercise, has been converted into an outdoor cafe.

There's still plenty of bars – of both kinds. 

Het Arresthuis is located in Roermond on the western side of the Netherlands approximately two hours from Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

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