Chicago (TAN): Everyone has their own preferred way of travel. While some go with the tried and the tested, others like it weird. For those who desire the latter, the Jail Hill Inn in the United States could be the solution.
The 140-year old building, located in Illinois’ Galena, a three-hour drive from Chicago, is in fact an old county jail, media reports said. Now renovated, it served as a prison for almost a century until its closure in 1977.
Birth of the inn
Matthew Carroll, present owner and innkeeper, bought the house in 2015 after it had changed hands a few times. “It was kind of an eyesore when I bought it,” Chicago Tribune quoted him as saying.
“It’s kind of a juxtaposition, going from being a place nobody wanted to be, to being a place everybody wants to be,” he added.
He said he was able to “restore the property” and “bring some luxury lodging to downtown, which was sort of lacking” using his experience in hospitality and as a “lifelong Galena resident”.
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Luxury meets history
Located on Meeker Street, the inn is a short hike from the historic Main Street.
The six suites, each measuring 800 square feet, come with king-size beds, plush linens, high-tech sound system, and a wet bar. While champagne and chocolate are complimentary at check-in, the inn offers a three-course breakfast every morning, and a wine and cheese session every evening between four and eight.
“It’s about really pushing that luxury and having pampering amenities that make it over the top,” Carroll said.
Rates start at USD295 for a midweek stay and can go up to about USD445 during peak season.
