Spend the night in a prison: The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar
There are people who are happy when their nights in prison come to an end. Anyone who checks into The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar is voluntarily going to prison and is happy to stay a little longer!
Not far from the old town of Alkmaar is one of the most unusual hotels I have ever stayed in: a hotel in an old prison.
The former Schutterswei prison building in Alkmaar has a history dating back to 1884. Originally designed by Johan F. Metzelaar, the building served as a correctional facility. At that time, the prison had 26 cells.
The need for more prison cells made it necessary to extend the building. New prison wings with a total of 122 cells were built. In addition, outbuildings with staff apartments were constructed.
As soon as the new cells were in use, the state closed the prison. The occupancy rate of the cells was too low (1928). Only 9 years later, it had to be put back into operation as other prisons were overcrowded.
During the German occupation, during the Second World War, the Germans used the prison. Here they imprisoned anyone who was considered “suspicious”. Until the liberation from the National Socialists on May 5, 1945, some of the prisoners were wrongly imprisoned and released.
The prison was officially given the name Schutterswei in 1950, which can still be read above the entrance door today. The name refers to the field where the Alkmaar Rifle Guild once had its training ground. Following the changing conditions for prisons, the prison was renovated in 1975. A print shop, bookbindery and lamp workshop were built. A sports hall with washing and shower facilities was also set up. The state then decided that this prison should be used for male adults with long-term sentences. Convicts with sentences ranging from 6 months to life were therefore held there.
From 1996, only prisoners on remand were housed in the Alkmaar prison. It was finally closed in 2013 and in the years that followed, the building stood almost unused in the town. Film crews occasionally used the location as a film set, but nothing more happened. It wasn’t until 2019 that an investor began converting the building into a hotel.
Hotel in a prison
Admittedly, it is unusual to spend the night in a prison. When you step through the front door of The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar, you wouldn’t think so. The cozy hotel lobby is not at all reminiscent of a prison. I find the large room rather “normal” and it is only during a guided tour of the building that I learn that this part of the building was originally the prison warden’s apartment.
The real “prison feeling” only comes when I make my way to the rooms. These are now located in the former cell wing and in the former leisure area.
When I enter the wing of the building, I am actually standing in a prison wing. A steel staircase leads to the individual floors and an open corridor runs in front of the rooms, which is also bordered by metal bars.
I’ve never been in a prison that is currently in use, I’ve only seen pictures from movies and I stand there amazed, this is how I had always imagined a prison to be. The only thing missing are the nets to prevent the prisoners from throwing things into the yard between the cells.
If you take a closer look, you will discover traces of the past. The room doors are still the doors of the former prison cells – only with a new locking system that can also be opened from the inside.
On each floor there is an old basin that was once used for the water supply. Parts of the old floor, which is made of glass blocks, have also been preserved. But otherwise the interior design is not reminiscent of a prison. Comfortable sofas make it a meeting place that people enjoy using today.
How are the rooms designed?
If you open the door to the rooms, you will certainly notice the biggest change. The small cells, which didn’t even have washing facilities, have now become luxury rooms that offer guests comfort and, above all, a feel-good atmosphere.
There are different room categories, ranging from comfort rooms to suites. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a closet. There is of course a private bathroom in every room and the beds are certainly much more comfortable than in the past.
If you look at the ceiling of the room, you can clearly see that a hotel room has been created from two prison cells. The vaulted ceiling areas used to correspond exactly to the width of a cell. Today, a comfort room has 15 m² and is equipped with a double bed and a bathroom. There used to be two prison cells, each occupied by one inmate.
I felt very comfortable in the room as it is today and slept very well.
Restaurant
Of course, the hotel also has a restaurant called D’arret. It is located in a part of the old building where the first 26 prison cells used to be. The only reminders of this today are the mighty thick walls and, of course, the strangely undulating ceiling. The location of the individual cells can still be recognized by this.
The kitchen cooks with seasonal and local produce. We were able to see the quality of the food for ourselves at dinner. The food was not only visually appealing, it also tasted excellent. My meat was cooked to perfection, wonderfully juicy and had a great taste of its own. For dessert, I ordered a cheese platter, which presented a varied selection. I really enjoyed it.
Breakfast for hotel guests is also served in the hotel restaurant. The buffet offers a large selection of different products. I am always very happy when fresh fruit is offered and there is a varied selection of muesli. Here I was able to enjoy very good granola for breakfast. But lovers of savory breakfasts will also discover something on the breakfast buffet and of course there are also products for fans of a sweet start to the day.
Tip: Anyone can reserve a table in the restaurant for dinner.
Is it possible to take a guided tour?
Guided tours are regularly offered by former employees of the prison. If you spend the night there on one of these dates, you shouldn’t miss out on hearing the insider stories.
For example, I learned that prisoners managed to escape from the prison. How? Everyone should find out for themselves on a tour.
During the tour, we were also given a very detailed explanation of the procedure from arrival in the airlock to reaching our own cell. The procedures used for “troublemakers” in everyday prison life and the daily routine of the prisoners were also part of the report during the tour.
Excursion tips in the vicinity
Cheese market in Alkmaar – about 2 km on foot Grote Sint-Laurenskerk – about 2 km on foot Nationaal Biermuseum De Boom – about 2 km on foot Amsterdam – about 40 km Zandvoort – about 40 km
Good to know
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in: from 15:00 Uhr Check-out: not later than 11:00 Uhr
Can I bring my pet with me?
Only dogs are allowed at The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar.
Is there WiFi at The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar?
Yes, free WLAN is offered.
Are there parking spaces at the hotel?
There are paid parking spaces right next to the hotel. (10,-€ per day) Charging station for electric cars are offered.
Is the hotel barrier-free?
The hotel offers wheelchair access and rooms for people with disabilities. There are disabled parking spaces.
How high is the tourist tax?
The tourist tax is € 2.85 per person per night.
Is there a wellness area?
Unfortunately, there is no spa or wellness center at The Fallon Hotel Alkmaar. But a fitness room is offered.
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