Jailhotel Loewengraben

I needed a bed to stay for one night in Lucerne. When searching the place online, I realised that Switzerland is an expensive country (not surprised). Then I found this Jailhotel and became fascinated because it's cheap price. For some unknown reason I managed to book the hotel half price - I didn't complain!

The location could not be better. It's in the middle of the old town, all the historic sights are very close. It's also a very quit place, there's no traffic, no cows (cowbells!) or churches (church bells) close by! BUT there is a nightclub. On Saturdays they have some live music which can disturb your beauty sleep if you are not a party animal. My timing was perfect - Saturday! I knew this noise trouble and had ear plugs packed in my gears as always but seriously, I could not hear too much noise in my room which was in the second floor.

It looked different. It looked like a jail... because it really was a jail since 1862 until 1998. The building was changed to be a hotel in 1999. But the change was not that dramatic, the bars in windows still exist, the doors with old iron locks still exist etc. Most probably the beds were still original, not the best kind but I could sleep.

I chose a slightly better room type "most wanted" which included a toilet and a shower in the room. The restroom was built like an ugly one but it worked. Towels, shampoo and soap as usual but no hair dryer (short hair, didn't need).

There was no TV in the room. I could survive one night without TV. Wifi is free but works only in the downstairs near the reception and in the breakfast restaurant.

Breakfast was quite okay, coffee/tea, bread, gipfeli (=croissant), bacon and eggs, juice, cheese...

Probably I would not stay in this hotel more than some nights but still I could return some day. I was going to stay some more nights in a "better" hotel which was booked by somebody else (will post a review later). Compared to the next place, this is worth visiting - at least I can honestly say that I've been in a jail ;)

As the name suggests.. its a jail... converted to a hotel...

it's a unique concept & more for people who are looking for something different.

The room/cell is very basic, small & has the basic amenities a prison would have. Beds are not the most comfortable.

For the adventurous type, give it a try!

If you want a different hotel experience stay here. The room is not the best but its an interesting experience. The hotel bar is a bit desolate if that what you are into..The bed are not the greatest and the size of the room is a bit stifling but this is a jail after all. If you are a history buff what is neat is they have a bunch of displays throughout the hotel telling you about the history of the jail. Its also hard to resist taking some interesting funny pictures in this place..