Since 30 September, the façade of the Eminente hotel has not gone unnoticed in this small, quiet street located a few blocks from Place Monge, in the 5th arrondissement of the capital. The Haussmannian façade has given way to a typical casa particular , the name given to private Cuban houses rented to tourists on the Caribbean island.
The contrast with the other Parisian buildings is such that many of us take advantage of the November sun to take a few photos in front of the 1950s Cadillac parked in front of the establishment.
Going to Cuba for a Parisian staycation
If the reconstruction is worthy of a film set, it is for the release in France of Eminente rum from the green valley of Viñales - located in the west of Cuba - that the Monte Cristo hotel has been decked out in the colours of the crocodile island until 12 December 2021.
A unique change of scenery - offered exclusively on Staycation - that does not require a passport or any other compelling reasons. A non-negligible advantage in times of pandemic.
A highly immersive experience
As you enter the lobby, you discover the Cuban atmosphere recreated by the architect Pauline d'Hoop: lush jungle, cane in profusion, tropical woods and bottles of rum galore, you would almost think of addressing the reception in Spanish. But the French radio humming in the hotel bar is there to remind us that we are in Paris.
In the lift, exotic bird songs and plant tapestries plunge the visitor into the jungle of Crocodile Island. An immersive lock before reaching the rooms where the journey continues.
The vegetation seems to have reclaimed its rights, surrounding the windows and the four-poster bed. On a leather suitcase, a period book published in Havana lies waiting to be read again.
The hotel's swimming pool has also been given a special jungle makeover. One would almost expect to see Trogon de Cuba, the national bird of the Caribbean island, flying around. In the swimming corridor, no crocodiles, just a few visitors splashing around before returning to their rooms.
A journey of taste
As night falls, the hotel bar is dressed in a festive atmosphere. The light is subdued and the plants dance on the walls in shadows to the rhythm of Cuban music.
Customers flock to try one of the cocktails or discover one of the 700 rum references created by the mixologist of the 1802 bar, Adrian Nino. We listen religiously to the specialist's advice to taste and enjoy the aromas of pure rum poured into our glasses. Salud!
For dinner, we head for the Grand Dictionnaire restaurant across the street - also transformed for the occasion - where Cuban chef Annabelle Cantarero prepares dishes using local ingredients. We couldn't find out more because the restaurant was inaccessible due to a technical problem on the day of our visit.
The next morning, the experience concludes with a classic breakfast, far from the traditional "desayuno" of the casas in Cuba. It was time to go back to Paris.
