Sleep inside a former Melbourne prison transformed into luxury retreat
It was known as the ‘Bluestone College’ and only the most hardened of crooks spent time within its four walls. Now you have the chance to follow in their footsteps.
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Ever wanted to bed down where some of Victoria’s most infamous and dangerous crooks caught their 40 winks?
A new addition to ongoing development at the former Pentridge prison site has done away with cold cells and brutal screws in favour of boutique accommodation called The Interlude, a 19-room “experience-led urban retreat”.
The former prison, where the last man to be hanged in Australia — Ronald Ryan — spent his final night, has gradually been transformed into a lifestyle and culture hub.
The rooms are converted prison cells renovated into stylish, modern hotel suites that still maintain the essence of the heritage site.
Designed for the “curious” traveller, the hotel is marked by the prison’s bluestone walls and barred windows, and offers luxury experiences included in the suite packages.
Visitors can enjoy wine and artisan tea tastings, Koko Black sweet treats, meditation and historical storytelling.
The hotel also includes an underground, candlelit relaxation pool, where visitors get to enjoy its signature bathing ritual, including “specially crafted mindful mist … in a blend of revitalising essential oils.”.
TOGA Far East Hotels chief operations officer Chris Sedgwick said the hotel was unlike any other in Australia.
“(It’s) one of only a handful of prison hotel conversions in the world,” Mr Sedgwick said.
“Guests will stay in converted-cell suites which have been transformed … into calming spaces.”
Pentridge was home at times to some of the most notorious criminals in the state, including standover man Mark “Chopper” Read, Australia’s most famous bushranger Ned Kelly, early 20th century gangster Squizzy Taylor, Hoddle St killer Julian Knight, Russell St bomber Craig Minogue, and “Mr Rent-a-Kill”, hit man Christopher Dale Flannery.
Since the prison closed in 1997, the 170-year-old heritage-protected Pentridge site has been transformed by developers Shayher Group to include apartment towers, a shopping centre, a craft-beer bar by Brewdog and a cinema.
A new restaurant and a wine bar have already opened inside the prison walls.
The Interlude will open later this year.
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