Escape to Alcatraz: New hotel in London offers ultimate prison break
LateRooms.com
We've all seen the Clint Eastwood movie and secretly wondered what it was really like to go to Alcatraz.
And now, one hotel in London is offering the experience.
LateRooms.com
Billed as London's "toughest hotel experience", the pad has been created to coincide with the launch of JJ Abrams' new drama series, Alcatraz.
The four-room (or should we say cell?) residence has been modelled on San Francisco's infamous Alcatraz prison in a reproduction of the penitentiary during its heyday, before it closed in 1963.
LateRooms.com
There'll be no slacking: former USP Alcatraz Correction Officer, George DeVincenzi, will be on hand to authenticate the experience, while the "hotel" is also staffed by a team of "prison wardens" who have been trained specifically for their roles.
The regime includes check-in at 18.30 hours, at which point "guests" are given prison-issue uniforms and mugshots are taken. You will be fed and watered while in your 5' by 9' cell and given a number of tasks that will help you to understand the lives of inmates caged on "The Rock" during the 1950s and early 60s.
LateRooms.com
The whole process from check-in to check-out, has been created to give an authentic taste that replicates life in the world's most notorious jail.
Each "guest room" in Hotel Alcatraz contains a sleeping cot with mattress, sink, prison-style toilet and two shelves, and "prisoners" are issued with standard uniforms. Items including the metal food trays, drinking cups and uniforms have been authentically sourced directly from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco.
You'll experience Alcatraz-standard meals – once seen as a luxury by inmates as prison officials insisted on serving prisoners the best quality food to prevent violence and rioting.
You will, however, be expected to carry out a number of tasks that were traditional in the jail, including physical exercise, model making and tailoring.
The only difference will be that, unlike Clint, you won't be plotting your escape - or maybe you will...
The hotel is open to the public from 13 to 17 March, and Alcatraz starts on Watch from Tuesday 13 March 2012 at 9.00pm.
Find it: Hotel Alcatraz, 25-28 Field Street, Kings Cross, London, WC1X 9DA
Book it: At LateRooms.com, the discount hotels specialist, from 12pm on 13 March.
%VIRTUAL-Gallery-137310%
