Interlude
Dark, moody, and atmospheric heritage-meets-luxury. Think candlelit underground pool, velvet booths inside old prison cells, and campfire storytelling in the exercise yard. Not a theme park experience — it's genuinely respectful of the building's confronting history and genuinely good at hospitality.
The hotel calls you before arrival to customise your itinerary — pick up and think about which experiences interest you most so you can give informed answers.
Why It Matters
The only hotel in the world built inside the B Division of a former maximum-security prison. The subterranean relaxation pool — hand-dug through solid bluestone and basalt over three months — is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Rates include bespoke curated itineraries with experiences like sommelier-led wine tastings, tea blending, and guided history sessions in the panopticon.
A 19-suite boutique hotel carved out of B Division at the former HM Pentridge Prison — a 170-year-old bluestone fortress in Melbourne's Coburg suburb that once housed Ned Kelly, Chopper Read, and Ronald Ryan. The cells are gone (sort of), replaced by luxurious suites made from four or five merged cells each. But the panopticon, the barred windows, the heavy timber doors, the vaulted red-brick ceilings — all still very much there. This is the world's first urban wellness retreat inside a converted prison, and it pulls that concept off with serious conviction.
Where You'll Stay
2 room types available
The Interlude Sanctuary Suite
The larger of the two suite types, carved from five original prison cells. The key upgrade is a freestanding stone bath with artisan bath salts and a full bath amenities menu — plus the extra space makes the suite feel more like a proper sanctuary and less like a very beautiful cell. Same bluestone walls, brass fixtures, and local artisan touches as the standard suite, just more room to breathe. Designed explicitly for guests prioritising relaxation.
Queen (Dreamcatcher SleepMaker Miracoil)
The Interlude Suite
Made from four merged original prison cells, these suites balance modern design against imposing heritage bluestone walls. The cell outlines are still visible if you look, and the original barred windows remain — but the fit-out is genuinely luxurious. Gloss black marble, brass accents, and plush soft furnishings contrast sharply with the raw 170-year-old stone. Decorated with work from local artisans and producers, with a minibar curated from Melbourne's northern suburbs businesses.
Queen (Dreamcatcher SleepMaker Miracoil)The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A self-guided contemplative walk through The Interlude's curated collection of art from emerging Melbourne-based local artists, displayed throughout the intricate spaces of the heritage building.
A hosted tea-blending experience in partnership with Impala & Peacock, exploring flavour profiles and aromas in artisan loose-leaf teas. Guests learn to describe and blend their own tea. A notably different offering from the wine-heavy programme, and a real highlight for non-drinkers.
A 45-minute hosted wine discovery session focusing on the evolution of wines over time and from across the world, led by the in-house sommelier.
A pairing of Koko Black artisan chocolates with Mistelles — the rare, fortified grape-based digestif — exploring distilled and fortified expressions from local producers to Cognac and Champagne regions. Rare and genuinely interesting for anyone who wants to go beyond standard wine experiences.
A 45-minute to one-hour hosted wine tasting led by the in-house Head Sommelier. Covers the evolution of wine through history — from founding families to modern revolution — and includes a vertical tasting of the same wine across multiple vintages. Access to the 500-label walk-in cellar. One of the signature daily experiences included in the rate.
A guided evening session in the Reflection Garden — the former exercise yard — by the campfire with a glass of Yarra Valley pinot in hand. Covers the history of the Pentridge site from its Wurundjeri origins through colonial and prison history, with stories of notorious inmates and unexpected tales of connection and transformation. One of only eight panopticons in the world is the backdrop.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Events and executive retreats can be hosted through Chapter Place, the precinct's dedicated events venue on the same site.
An independent arthouse cinema is located directly adjacent to the Pentridge precinct, walkable from the hotel.
Chapter Place at the Pentridge precinct offers wedding and event hosting in heritage gardens and unique transformed spaces.
On-site gym adjacent to the underground relaxation pool area.
The former exercise yard, now a lantern-lined open-air space with a campfire and views of the guard turrets. Used for evening wine and cheese events and the Story of Place experience.
Underground car park at 1 Pentridge Boulevard. Complimentary for all guests. Height restriction 2.1m. Vehicles must be registered with reception.
Available via the Pentridge eGift portal.
BUILD YOUR THE INTERLUDE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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