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The old prison in Hoorn has been converted into a hotel, brasserie and a cinema. On the lowest floor, a number of cells have been transformed into guest rooms. It really is cool to spend the night in the cell - the huge iron door closes behind you and you get an impression of what it must have been like to have been incarcerated there in the past - you do get the key to your cell though :-)
Breakfast was good (continental) and the hotel is situated on the banks of the Ijsselmeer lake and it's very beautiful there. Hoorn is well worth a visit - wonderful old Dutch town.
All in all, we were both very pleased with our stay and would recommend it to anyone looking for a different night away!
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Date of stay: June 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pre booked the hotel for a couple of days and after a major search of Hoorn we found the hotel. Beautiful location overlooking the Markemeer and close by the historic old town. The room we stayed in was an old prison cell, half the next door cell was converted into a shower room/toilet. The main room was very cramped, about 12' x 8' poor facilities in the room i.e. no tea/coffee making facilities and a desk a bout as big as the desk I had at primary school, and a micro television. Worst of all there was no door on the bathroom so no privacy. Quirky? yes comfortable? certainly not. Very dissapointed
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Date of stay: October 2017
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were in Hoorn and stopped by to see the old prison rooms. We did not stay but looked at the rooms. The rooms were former prison rooms, so they are very spartan. It is $80 euro for a single. It looked acceptable. Lots of folks were eating lunch at the restaurant.
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Date of stay: April 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This use to be a former prison, so the rooms were adapted. There are dormitories and private rooms with toilets. Comfortable and very clean. Friendly staff. It's a bit pricey (80 euros for 2, in bunk beds) but it's a unique opportunity to overnight in a former prison. The hotel owns a private parking - very handy, considering it is not so easy to park there.
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Date of stay: May 2018
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Oostereiland used to be a prison before it was converted into a hotel. This makes for a quirky stay, but not a comfortable one. The location of the hotel is stunning overlooking the lake; and Hoorn itself is a beautiful and charming town, full of cafes and restaurants overlooking the canals and boats. But the Hotel Oostereiland is not a winner. The rooms are converted cells, granted, but there were absolutely no comforts or luxuries in my 'cell'. No bedside table, no reading light, no hooks to hang wet or dry towels on, or indeed anywhere to put them in the bathroom. The room's window didn't open so there was no fresh air. It truly felt and looked like a prison cell; I could more or less touch all four walls from the centre of the room. The bed was among the most uncomfortable I have slept in, essentially dipping into a 'V' in the middle. I assumed it was broken. The rest of the bed was so squashy it didn't support the body and I didn't really sleep for 2 nights. Having said that, the staff were excellent (especially Deedee who walked into town with me on her own time to show me where I was to be working). I would revisit Hoorn, but I'm sorry to say that I wouldn't stay at the Oostereiland.
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Date of stay: September 2016
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed there a couple of times, had one of the converted cells and a really good night's sleep. I ate in the brasserie which doubles as the reception and enjoyed both the food and the view of the harbour. The hotel is very good value and close enough to use as a base for wandering into the old town. Recommended.
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Date of stay: May 2016Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great location, simple and modern interior. Basic but well thought out. Breakfast probably the best I have had in a hotel in a long time - great attention to detail. Magnificent view of sail boats coming by and on a dreary day there's both the 20th century museum (well worth the visit on any day) and the cinema all in the same building.
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Date of stay: October 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was here in February 215. I was looking for a place to sleep, eat and shower. Trough Google i found this place and i was triggered by its low pricing. I was surprised! Very vlean rooms, looks like prisoncel😄. Not big but enough comfort. The food was excellent and the personel very friendly and helpful. For a businesstrip on low budget i reccoment this place at best. A very extraordinairy place to stay!
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The old converted prison in Hoorn promised a realistic experience...it was rather to realistic. A room with a leaking roof, cheap furniture and carpet and a rather cramped and small room. Got the impression that the cinema and brasserie (which share the foyer) get more attention than the hotel.
The wonderful building deserves more than this wasted opportunity
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
if you travel by car, drive around the building and all the way in the back you will find a secure parking; just press the right button. Building includes hotel and cinema so can be a bit noisy. Rooms are small. Downstairs gives you the real prison "room" experience, upstairs is more normal rooms. still a good experience. Check your room as in our case, the light in the bathroom did not work, next room (306) mind the noise from the airco/vent shaft that goes right through the room.Breakfast is good, friendly service. All in all, just good.
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Date of stay: August 2014
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â rooms on the 3rd floor have good view, basement rooms have limited view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kidderminster, United Kingdom30 contributions20 helpful votes
"I had booked rooms with a view of the lake which were adjoining if possible, but we were given courtyard view rooms. As they had opened the adjoining doors and met that requirement, I didn't complain, especially when I realised that the view over the water is through dormer windows and was almost permanently obscured by the docked cruise ships which come and go.
The view of the courtyard was far more pleasant and so peaceful at night.
The cells looked fun and sadly I didn't choose that option, and if I ever come back that will be my choice."
Noordeloos, The Netherlands396 contributions256 helpful votes
"The rooftop rooms are far from spacious, are sunny, have a view on the lake but have low ceilings. I recommend to orient yourself to the other rooms that the hotel has to offer, as there are even (upgraded) prison cells among them!"
There are more places to choose from in the Hoorn area.
PRICE RANGE
$189 - $291 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
The NetherlandsNorth Holland ProvinceHoorn
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
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