5 hotels that used to be cinemas

While some hotels are worthy of an Academy Award in their own right, it’s possible to take things a step further and actually stay inside a cinema. So here are five hotels that used to be cinemas — from the Bauhaus to the art house.

Hotel Rival in Stockholm, Sweden

Once a 1930s Art Deco cinema, today Hotel Rival provides luxury sleeping quarters in one of Stockholm’s busiest neighbourhoods. In a tribute to the hotel’s history, all the bedrooms are decorated with stills from classic Swedish films and floor-length cinematic curtains.

Hotel Rival doesn’t restrict itself to the classics, however. One of the owners is Benny Andersson of Abba fame, and so the Hollywood production of Mamma Mia! makes a regular appearance, while the pop group’s greatest hits are available in every room. Despite these nods to contemporary cinema, classic film buffs will find hours of entertainment in the Hotel Rival film library.

QT Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia

Once a Grand Union cinema next to Melbourne’s premier luxury shopping district, the recently-opened QT Melbourne is a tribute to the city’s fashion industry. Guests are greeted by immaculately-styled staff and screens throughout the lobby play footage from past fashion shows. This footage was supplied by the Grand Union’s own archives and provides a subtle nod to the cinema’s role in documenting Melbourne’s rise as an international fashion centre.

Astoria7 in San Sebastian, Spain

The San Sebastián International Film Festival is one of Europe’s biggest film festivals and the city’s hotels have always used the event as inspiration. Cinema-themed hotels are a common feature in San Sebastian but the Astoria7 goes bigger and better by completely transforming one of the city’s old cinemas.

Every bedroom in this sleek hotel honours a different cinematic giant, from Quentin Tarantino to Meryl Streep. While the premier suite is devoted to the Master of Suspense: Alfred Hitchcock. The suite has its own projector and a living room full of cinematic momentos, but guests staying in the rest of the hotel will love the lobby film library.

Cinema Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel

Once a Bauhaus-style independent cinema, perched on Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Square, today the Cinema Hotel is a homage to the film industry’s past, present and future. The cinema’s original seats have been repurposed for the hotel lobby, alongside upcoming film projects and classic posters. While the lobby screens vintage films, the hotel rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment centres, plus discounts to Tel Aviv’s cinemas for guests.

Moov Hotel Porto Centro in Porto, Portugal

For film fans on a budget, the Moov Hotel Porto Centro is a beautifully-restored Art Deco cinema with prices to suit all travellers. Thanks to its location on the Praça da Batalha – Porto’s central square — the Moov Hotel offers easy access to the Cinema Batalha, one of Portugal’s best-loved cinema and concert venues.

With minimalist yet welcoming rooms decorated with giant black-and-white movie stills, the hotel’s interiors are as impeccable as its location. As well as photographs of scenes from classic films, fans will find pictures their favourite movie legends throughout the hotel. The staff are also always happy to direct guests to one of the city’s many independent cinemas.