Checking in for a luxury staycation should evoke a buzz of excitement, but as I approach the castle-like bluestone walls of Coburg’s Pentridge Prison, the fearsome facade immediately makes me feel as if I’m being watched. I shouldn’t be surprised – the building I’m entering features a panopticon and bears brutal associations in our collective consciousness.
Converting a former maximum security jail into a genial getaway spot is quite the ambitious undertaking, yet it's one that the Interlude undertakes with gusto.
At reception, I’m greeted with a crisp glass of sparkling wine and provided with comprehensive instructions for how to find my room, which initially feel excessive but turn out to be just specific enough. After a trip through Olivine, the on-site wine bar, through a surprisingly colourful lounge area and up to the first floor, all that’s left is a sharp U-turn and I’ve arrived at my unusual destination: five interconnected cells that have been renovated into my lavish lodgings.
The room (one of the Interlude Sanctuary Suites) is long and narrow, with the raw bluestone walls left largely exposed and bars still firmly attached to the tiny windows. However, aside from the obvious elements, this hideout is more plush than punishing. Sure, the cell door would have taller guests ducking, but the inviting couch, warm wood finishes and soft bed tucked away in its own cozy nook more than make up for it. Did I mention the fact that there’s a bath capacious enough to warrant a room of its own?
Rather than a simple hotel, the Interlude describes itself as “the world’s first experiential wellness retreat in a converted prison”. It’s a niche proposition, and nowhere is it more apparent than when I step out of my cell(s) and look straight down. Far below lies a candlelit subterranean relaxation pool, which I’m told is set at a "therapeutic temperature”. Down there, it’s easy to see why the word ‘sanctuary’ is so often repeated in this place.
Everything you need to amuse and feed yourself at the Interlude is extremely close by. The prison’s former mess hall is now home to North and Common, a hatted modern Australian restaurant well-suited for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cinephiles need not rely on your suite’s (admittedly ample) entertainment system. Instead, head to Olivine for small plates and wine, then amble over to Palace Pentridge next door to make the most of the big screen. Feel like exploring further? The vibrant Sydney Road strip is just around the corner.
If there’s a central thread running through the Interlude, it’s that dark and moody is the aesthetic du jour. It’s a choice which works cleverly to respect the space’s history while creating an opulent air. The ‘Story of Place’ activity, where a small group of us hear animated accounts about the site’s First Nations and colonial history, exemplifies this balance.
Nonetheless, when your urban retreat is premised on guests reaching their most comfortable and relaxed state inside a frankly menacing bluestone prison, attention to detail is an essential ingredient to ensure they won’t want to escape. In this unconventional environment, the little things (a missing robe here, some nose-tickling dust, an unresolved damp spot there) can easily combine to exacerbate any baseline discomfort the site’s grisly context might inspire. With just a touch more TLC, the guest experience could easily reach a new level of serenity.
All things considered, the Interlude is a remarkable hotel that respects history without seeking to erase it. You’ll likely never stay anywhere else like this.
Time Out Tip: Try closing the curtains around your bed for the ultimate peaceful cocoon.
Ashleigh Hastings stayed as a guest of the Interlude.