This Ontario hostel lets you stay overnight in an actual 19th-century prison cell

It might not be your typical hotel stay, but in Ottawa, you can spend the night in a former jail that's been transformed into a one-of-a-kind hostel and historic site.

Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel, once home to the Carleton County Jail, offers travellers the rare chance to sleep inside an actual 19th-century prison that has been transformed into one of the city's most unique accommodations.

Built in 1862, the building retains some of its most distinctive features, including the original stone walls and iron cell doors. Rather than hiding its past, the hostel fully embraces it.

Guests can book everything from shared dorm-style accommodations that sleep up to 10 people (talk about authentic prisoner-holding-cell vibes) to private rooms housed in former jail cells that accommodate up to two guests.

While the shared rooms feature single beds, air conditioning, and ceiling fans for added comfort, the private rooms come equipped with a double bed and a private bathroom.

For anyone looking for truly the most authentic experience possible, there's the Authentic Jail Cell: a narrow, single-bed room that "recreates the conditions faced by inmates" in solitary confinement.

As a budget-friendly, dorm-style accommodation popular with travellers in transit, the property also offers women-only dorms for guests who prefer that option.

And the experience extends well beyond the rooms themselves.

Every stay comes with free continental breakfast, and guests can take advantage of other freebies like Wi-Fi, luggage storage, communal kitchens, access to a library and organized activities including a free prison tour. 

Rumour has it that the property is haunted, adding another layer of intrigue to an already unusual stay. For anyone seeking less of a cushy hotel experience and more of a spooky stay, this might be the perfect place to spend the night.

That said, if the idea of sleeping in a former — and possibly haunted — prison cell isn't exactly your thing (I feel you), you can skip the overnight stay and opt for a guided jail tour during the day instead. Open to the public, the tours offer a chance to learn about the prison's history, visit death row, and explore one of Ottawa's most memorable landmarks.

For travellers looking to explore the country's capital while they're there, the location is pretty hard to beat as Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel stands just steps from major attractions like Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, and the Rideau Canal (which, by the way, has been touted as one of the most breathtaking landmarks in Ontario).

If you're up for a bigger adventure, Montreal is an approximately two-hour drive from the hostel, so you can head off and spend the day exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal or hiking Mount Royal for a treetop view of the entire city — throw in a few famous steamies for dinner, and you've got the perfect Montreal experience.

An overnight stay at the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel starts at a low $32.22 and goes up to $171 per night, plus applicable taxes. You can book directly through the hostel's official website.

Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel is located at 75 Nicholas St. in Ottawa, Ont.