A night behind (hotel) bars: Scotland Yard becoming luxury hotel

London's famed original Scotland Yard police station will be opening its cells, err, doors to a new sort of guest as the property is converted into a luxury hotel.

India-born billionaire Yusuff Ali, known back home as the "Retail King of Abu Dhabi" for his sprawling Middle Eastern empire, acquired the property's lease for hospitality conglomerate Lulu Group International in a partnership with Galliard Homes for a reported $171 million. Reservations at the former prison are reported to cost upwards of £10,000 ($15,500 U.S. Dollars) per night. Ali announced:

"London undoubtedly is one of the most happening locations in the world especially from the tourism point of view and we have been actively evaluating investment opportunities that both grow our footprint and contribute to the further development of London."

Several hospitality groups have attempted to acquire the lease on the world-famous property since 2013, with rumors of potential owners bubbling up over the years before ultimately popping.

The appeal to potential hotel guests (not to mention the hefty price tag of the property) largely has to do with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's popular Sherlock Holmes books, which saw the detective and the Metropolitan Police coming and going from the building. In the realm of "true crime", the investigations into Jack the Ripper's killings also were coordinated from Scotland Yard. But Ali and his partners expect to overhaul the property's branding along with its architecture. Don O’Sullivan, managing director of Galliard, told reporters:

“The Great Scotland Yard Hotel will be a brand synonymous with exceptional service and refined luxury and quality.”

A staff of approximately 250 is expected to dote upon guests in the former prison's luxury rooms, dining rooms, library, and yes, two onsite bars.