This 19th-century jail in Lucerne was shut down in the late 90s, to be reopened as a hostel with a few gaol touches still intact. Sleep in one of the ‘unplugged’ rooms, converted from cells, or go for a fancier option and bed down in the old library or director’s office. Rooms don’t have TVs or phones, but you can let off some steam in the nightclub Strichpunkt, which shares space within the building and opens on weekends.
One of the first questions to consider while planning a trip is “Where do we stay?” Two popular choices are a hotel or a hostel. The more inexpensive of the two is to reside in a hostel. Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Hostels are generally cheaper for both the operator and the occupants; many hostels have long-term residents whom they employ as desk clerks or housekeeping staff in exchange for free accommodation.
The main difference between hostels and hotels is that hostels provide dormitory-like settings in which to stay, whereas hotels are individual rooms for more privacy and safety. If you are a social being, a hostel would be beneficial as you would be able to meet all sorts of interesting people. Hostels are, for the most part, safe places to stay, as long as you keep your valuables in a locker and stay on your toes. If you are on a tight budget, a good way to save money is to choose a location outside of the city.
