A woman has shared her experience of staying in an old Victorian prison that has been converted into a boutique hotel – guests stay in cells and some say it’s ‘haunted’
Every so often, we all crave a luxurious getaway and one woman insists that you try out a raved about hotel with a twist
Nestled in the heart of Oxford is a former Victorian prison that has been transformed into a stunning boutique hotel known as Malmaison Oxford. This 20th-century building was once home to inmates until its closure in 1996. During its operational years, the prison was notoriously overcrowded, with up to three individuals crammed into a cell designed for one.
According to Oxford Castle and Prison, inmates were allowed just one bath or shower and a single change of clothes each week. Educational opportunities were scarce and physical exercise was minimal. The prison grappled with these conditions for years before finally being shut down. Today, it serves as a tourist attraction where visitors can experience a night in a converted cell.
Lifestyle content creator Amrit Bilkhu revealed what it’s truly like to stay in the old prison, which some have labelled as “haunted”.
Amrit hailed the location as “the coolest hotel ever”. It also frequently serves as a filming location for TV shows and films. In a travel review video she posted on her TikTok page, she said: “I can now officially say I’ve been to prison. This is Malmaison hotel in Oxford and it is quite literally a prison.”
She documented her journey to her cell block and entering her room, complete with a traditional cell door featuring a peep hole. “It was so cool from start to finish,” the hotel enthusiast gushed. She was particularly fond of a cupboard fitted with lockers and noted that the original windows have been preserved in the cells.
Amrit was wowed by the “unreal” room service menu and the spacious bath and shower in the bathroom area, not to mention the hotel’s proximity to Oxford town centre. Amrit enthused: “We had such a nice experience, I would definitely recommend checking this hotel out.”
However, some guests admitted to feeling a tad uneasy about spending the night in what used to be an old prison. “Probably haunted,” one guest speculated. “I stay there in a cell room but slept with the light on,” another confessed.
A different visitor remarked: “Nope. That would give me heebs. It’s probably haunted.” Meanwhile, someone else commented: “It’s such a cool hotel, unfortunately I couldn’t sleep because I found out it was haunted the day before my stay.”
Yet many have relished their stay without any ghostly fears, as one person recalled: “I had my wedding night there.”
Another added: “Stayed there a few years ago, absolutely loved it,” “I stayed there, it’s amazing,” a third chimed in. For those intrigued, Malmaison Oxford is currently priced at £123 for two people for one night, according to Booking.com.
Would you dare to book a stay? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below.
