A former courthouse and jail in Edinburgh has been transformed into a luxury hostel, complete with private rooms in former cells.
The Court is an A-listed building on Parliament Square in the Royal Mile area of Edinburgh's lively Old Town, and a few minutes from Edinburgh Castle. Earlier this year the historic property was completely transformed into a pod hostel for the Code hostel group with self-contained mini-rooms inspired by the famous Japanese capsule hotels.
The Georgian building was originally designed as police chambers and a district court, containing holding cells for those awaiting trial and courtroom facilities. The oldest part of the building was completed in 1693 and much of its original features have been preserved. Guests can learn about its history, as well as the lives of those who were forced to travel through it, in the hostel.
Designed by local architects Studio LBA, the design concept was all about preserving the magnificent buildings, rather than redefining it. Room types vary from very small vaulted rooms, which were the original jail cells, to large congregated and airy spaces, the former courtrooms. Cells have been converted to private rooms, while courtrooms have been transformed into dorm-style rooms with pod bunks.
There are 200 pod beds and 12 private rooms spread across five floors. Breakfast is available every morning and includes continental and buffet options, as well as a waffle machine, with bottomless coffee, tea and juice. Accommodation prices start at £14 (€16) for a dorm room and from £108 (€125) for a private room.
The brand also has a pod hostel in the New Town, and another one in Dublin, inspired by the Japanese capsule hotels
