We don't often get the chance to stay somewhere swanky, but this was a little treat for us all at the end of my in-laws post wedding trip around the UK. The Malmaison in Oxford has won design awards for transforming the old prison into a high-end hotel. It is indeed an achievment.
It has become more and more common to turn old buildings of interest around so that they no longer remain derelict, but also make the buyers money. While studying in Aberystwyth I remember a rather stunning baptist church being turned into a bar. I really respect the fact that Malmaison made such an effort to keep the building's essential design and then developing the hotel from there. Although this is really admirable, I have to admit I felt a little strange padding barefoot over my heated tiled floor in the bathroom to the humungous shower head, knowing full well the previous tenants had little more than a slop bucket. The next morning we went to see the only cell that has been preserved as it was, a less than six foot by four space containing three iron bunk beds. I am glad I didn't see this before I sank into my huge bed with its feather-down duvet the previous night after a hot bath.
