A night at Paradiso, the first hotel-cinema: "It was crazy, without leaving your bed"

“There are two sectors suffering at the moment, the hotel industry and the cinema.

And we are launching a hotel-cinema ... "Elisha Karmitz, who is launching the Hotel Paradiso with her brother Nathanaël, is aware of the crazy gamble" around our passion for cinema "represented by the first hotel project in the world entirely dedicated to cinema .

The global investment in construction, decoration and sound and image technologies, amounting to 11 million euros, has resulted in a key word: “hybridization”.

“A hybridization between cinema, catering, music, partying.

»It is also a« friend project », for which the Karmitz brothers - at the head of the MK2 network - have called on their contacts: decorators and trendy stylists, artists like JR or Christian Boltanski, film personalities like Léa Seydoux.

Currently, the Paradiso deals with sanitary measures (the cinema, accessible directly from the hotel, the private box, the karaoke room are closed), but the clientele answers the call: reservations start very strongly.

Ultimately, the Paradiso will host, especially on its rooftop terrace, events related to cinema and music: open-air projection, film and album launches ...

In this period when dark rooms remain closed, the concept is even more enticing.

A permanent extension of the ephemeral Cinema Paradiso events, which took place at the Grand Palais in 2013 and 2015, the Paradiso has been welcoming its first customers since March 10, and offers a rare immersive experience.

We stayed here for one night.

6 p.m .: stroll in a space dedicated to cinema

The Paradiso hotel opened above the MK2 cinema, place de la Nation.

LP / Fred Dugit  

The curfew has just started, but we still allow ourselves a few minutes outside, very close to the Place de la Nation (Paris XIIth) to assess the place.

The hotel adjoins and overlooks the MK2 Nation, closed but just renovated, with a beautiful light installation by Christian Boltanski in the lobby.

It's time to discover the hotel, where the excitement reigns on this opening day.

At the bar-restaurant, which can only be used in your room or take away, cocktails are being mixed.

Upon reception, posters from the collections of MK2 projectionists are visible.

Others line the stairs that lead to the bedrooms.

The decor is very "MK2": concrete, red metal, subdued lights.

Posters from the MK2 projectionists' collections decorate the walls.

LP / Fred Dugit  

In the corridors, niches are filled with DVDs that can be borrowed.

We take the opportunity to discover the “extras” that make this place a temple of the 7th Art and music: a projection room, a karaoke-disco space and above all this incredible private box which opens directly into the large cinema hall.

When it reopens, it will be possible to enjoy feature films without leaving the hotel, simply by paying your ticket.

It is unique in the world.

7 p.m .: rooms facing the 7th Art

Controlled by a tablet, the installation allows you to choose from over 10,000 films, with the added bonus of a work by the artist JR, visible outside the hotel. / LP / Fred Dugit  

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The hotel has 36 rooms, including two breathtaking suites including a large terrace and alcove with cinema seats, giant screen and digital projector that can broadcast the films programmed in the room.

Ours is more modest, but all were designed on the same model.

Lengthwise, facing the bay windows and the exterior, where some have a view of installations by the artist JR.

Here again, the decor is devoted to the 7th Art, with posters or an old telephone, which allows you to reach the reception by dialing ... 007.

Not to mention a digital tablet that controls everything, especially the huge screen that hides the window: the room is then turned towards the screen, where you can watch movies and series of course, but also launch video clips from of a playlist concocted by Woodkid.

9 p.m .: dive into films in the open sea

Each room is equipped with a high definition projector. / LP / Fred Dugit  

Our meal (delicious bagels from 8 euros), ordered from the tablet, arrives at our door: the session can begin!

The hardest part is choosing a film: thousands of feature films and series available on several platforms, including MK2 Curiosity, MyCanal, Netflix, Disney +, Carlotta Films, Mubi ... We decide for "The King of New York ”, classic by Abel Ferrara, with Christopher Walken (1990).

And we bring down the screen.

The lights go out.

The reception team had warned us: the room is equipped with a high definition projector and a high-tech sound installation, designed for the hotel .... The experience is totally bluffing, for a room whose prices start at 100 euros per night.

Whether you are on the sofa very close to the screen or in bed, you have the impression of being totally immersed in the heart of the film in this cocoon room.

The nightly images of New York, the car chases parade, we are totally immersed in the action.

The soundproofing of the rooms, maximum, even makes it possible to turn up the sound to the bottom: the music or the noise of the bullets during the scenes of strafing put us in our ears.

Ditto for music videos.

After months of being deprived of the big screen due to closure, the experience is magical, unforgettable.

9 a.m. the next day: impressed customers

As in the cinema, customers can have popcorn delivered ./LP/Fred Dugit  

After a few morning clips on this incredible screen and an excellent breakfast, also served at our door, we go back down to the reception where customers share their impressions.

Mehdi, a 34-year-old actor who lives in the neighborhood, wanted to spend a night at the Paradiso as soon as it opened.

“I am very cinephile, loyal to the MK2 Nation and I miss the indoor experience.

I heard about the concept that appealed to me a lot.

"

So he booked a room with his best friend, and he wasn't disappointed: “The hardest part was choosing films.

We saw five in a row from 6:30 p.m., after settling in the room with popcorn and glasses of wine.

It was crazy, a real private cinema without leaving your bed, much better than at home.

And the sound is nasty, we put it on full blast.

I can not wait to return !

"

Hôtel Paradiso, 135, bd Diderot in Paris (12th century).

Prices: rooms from 100 euros to 485 euros, suites from 350 euros to 600 euros.

Rens.

and reservations: www.mk2hotelparadiso.com