February 15, 2008

Europe | France | Paris

Paris a la Pod

By Karena Akhavein

You've never seen the Eiffel Tower quite like this.

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Paris’ quirkiest new hotel has elevated the art of hospitality to new heights — quite literally. Devised by Swiss artists Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, the recently opened Everland is billed as the world’s first mobile rooftop pod lodge. Following an 18-month stay on top of Leipzig’s Gallery of Contemporary Art, the art installation cum mini hotel has now landed — quite appropriately, considering its Japanese mod-pod styling — on the roof of the Palais de Tokyo. Guests at the petite prefab Everland can expect to live large with a king-size bed, a lavish mosaic bath and a private lounge with old-school record player.

A huge window-wall frames priceless views of the Paris skyline and the Eiffel Tower — where Michelin-star wonder Alain Ducasse has just opened his latest Parisian eatery, Jules Verne. And if you want to burn off that black truffle haze you can take the one-mile stroll over the Seine back to the Palais de Tokyo, whose tres fabulous opening hours means you can take in an avant-garde expo up until midnight before retiring to your mod pod. Room service is provided courtesy of neighboring Hôtel Sezz, a design icon in its own right. But guests beware: you may stay for only one night in order to keep the experience “fresh,” and only up until the end of 2008 — after December, Everland takes off again, destination unknown.