8 luxury hotels with unorthodox histories

One might be surprised to learn that a favorite luxury hotel was once an 18th-century prison or a paper factory. In fact, a handful of the world's most lavish lodgings actually have a past that was rooted in an industry far different from tourism and hospitality. Sure, spending the night in an infamous prison or an opulent bank may sound like the plot to a work of fiction. Yet it can now be a reality thanks to these eight hotels, which have set up shop in enchanting, history-rich buildings with storied pasts—and great design.