PRISON HOTELS Built in 1905, Karosta naval jail in Latvia was originally home to mutinous Russian sailors. In the 1970s, it housed political prisoners. In direct contrast to most hotel publicity, the website describes Karosta proudly as "unfriendly,unheated,and uncomfortable."They are not lying.This is more of a jail experience than a hotel stay."Reception"is a dark corridor where a former prison guard explains the rules to you (no luggage except a toothbrush,no attempts to escape),and then fires his gun in the air to show you he is serious.After a meal of bread and sweet Russian tea,"guests"are given five minutes to bathe before making up their own beds from wooden benches and thin mattresses.Sound unpleasant?It is.But for $12 per night,what do you expect?