Because this unusual place started life in 1071 as a Norman castle, became an austere prison from the late 18th century until 1996, and re-opened as the upscale Malmaison Oxford in 2006.

Some 38 of its 95 rooms have been created by knocking out walls between two or three original gaol cells, with these rooms still having low ceilings, high and once-barred windows, and are accessed via their original solid steel cell doors... and with their thick stone walls there's no noise from adjoining guest cells, sorry, rooms.

The other 57 rooms are in newer buildings within the old gaol grounds and are lighter and airier.

And you won't have to worry about getting to sleep where nearly 400 male and female prisoners took their last steps to the gallows: there're no guest rooms where the hangings were held until 1952.

Old lags could only dream, too, of what their cells now offer 21st century guests: power showers, mood lighting, satellite TV, internet, mini-bars, cooked or Continental breakfasts daily, two bars (one rooftop,) a brasserie amid the steel staircases and overhead interior walkways, and an outdoor dining area in the one-time prison exercise yards.

Bookings and details: www.malmaison.com/locations/oxford/