Cell # 205. On my travels, I have stayed in several accommodations, from boutique 5-star hotels and cheap dorms to guesthouses and Airbnb homes. Not to forget the occasional night spent at railway stations and even under a fishing boat. However, nothing prepared me for a night in a prison cell. Years ago, my travel friend and I, on a quick tour of Europe with Contiki, landed in Lucerne late in the evening. As the whole aim of traveling with Contiki was for a unique experience, our accommodation for that night sure lived up to the whole 'unique experience' feel. Barabas Jail Hotel was an actual prison in the heart of Lucerne. Purpose-built in 1862, it was a functioning prison until 1998, with 60 cells. Before that, convicts were usually rounded up and locked away in monasteries or towers. When the authorities closed the prison, it was renovated and repurposed as a hotel. Do not expect any creature comforts you may be used to while staying in hotels and resorts. All you get is a tiny room with a mattress and a washbasin. For added protection, they have small windows with security bars too. So, if you feel claustrophobic and plan to make a quick getaway through the window, forget it. As for dinner, if you were expecting a bowl of soggy gruel, then do not worry. It has a fabulous Japanese restaurant serving authentic cuisine that helped make the thought of a night in a cell much more palatable. I am not sure it is still around. If it is, then check in someday. It is an experience worth recounting with friends. _________________________________________ @nofixedaddrs #nofixedaddrs _________________________________________ In love with Switzerland 🇨🇭 #inLOVEwithSWITZERLAND #MyLucerne #LakeLucerneRegion _________________________________________ #YesContiki #contiki #barabasluzern #sleepbehingbars _________________________________________ ………. ……... …….. ……. …… ….. …. … .. . #hotelbarabas #formerprison #cell #uniquehotel #izakayanozomi #japaneserestaurant #oldtown #centralswitzerland #visitswitzerland #lucerne #luzern #switzerland #unlimitedswitzerland #switzerland_bestpix #lucerneswitzerland #myswitzerland #IneedSwitzerland #igers_switzerland (at Jail Hotel Luzern) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRLUn3Xs_Td/?utm_medium=tumblr
