Have you ever wondered what it’s like to sleep in a prison? Well, tucked away, unassumingly, in a quiet neighborhood of Christchurch, sits a hostel known as Jailhouse Accommodation, that can, and will give you that exact experience.
Told the day before that I’d be sleeping in a former prison, I was left with a never ending slew of questions. How big would the rooms be? How prison-like would it feel? Would I be able to sleep?
Having seen my fair share of jails, either in person or on television, I had a basic idea of what to expect but couldn’t fully wrap my head around what a “livable” prison might entail. How could they take a place fundamentally unappealing, and attract tourists?
Of course, its history was an inherent draw, but they had to make it comfortable too, right? Within moments of arrival, all of my questions would be answered.
To find the answers to all of these wonderings, to hear what it’s like to sleep in a prison, and to learn a bit about Jailhouse Accommodation’s history, check out the completed article on Stuff NZ. And consider adding a stop in Kaikoura, a town only 3 hours north of Christchurch. There are plenty of unique activities available!
