With 26 cinemas and no fewer than 9 million spectators each year, MK2 upholds a unique vision of cinema. In 2021, the group opened its very first cinema-hotel in Paris, the Hôtel Paradiso. To guarantee the smoothness and reliability of this unique experience, MK2 called on Wifirst to design and deploy a top-of-the-range unified network capable of supporting intensive guest and business use while ensuring the security of its networks.
Each of the 34 rooms and 2 suites has been designed as a mini-cinema, equipped with cutting-edge technology, allowing guests to enjoy high-definition movies, streaming platforms and connected audio systems while also supporting operational needs (POS, VOIP, staff WiFi).
In-room experience at Hôtel Paradiso
For guests, the experience is intuitive and simple. They simply connect to their room's WiFi network using a QR code they scan. From there, they can access the room's ecosystem: AppleTV, Chromecast (Wifirst solution), video projector, etc. They can directly resume an episode from their streaming platform on the video projector or play their playlist on the connected speakers. The Wifirst solution makes it possible to make the most of the various interconnected services offered by the Paradiso via a tablet with the Bowo application.
Overview of Chromecast usage statistics in December 2024
In this setting, one of the main challenges was to provide bespoke connectivity so that each room had its own VLAN network, whatever the means of access (WiFi or wired) and whatever the devices connected: the room's own devices (permanent) or guests' devices (temporary).
The technical solution provided by Wifirst engineering makes it possible to obtain a very high-speed unified network with the installation of professional WiFi, which reduces the risk of interference and provides a wider wireless spectrum, thus meeting the network's high usage requirements.
The Meraki switch infrastructure, on the other hand, provides good visibility and enhanced control over the network in place, as well as a scalable and robust connection. The Ruckus R320 access points installed ensure uniform, reliable connectivity, while each room has its own VLAN, guaranteeing performance and security.
In terms of security, we had to make sure that our solution allowed rooms to be properly isolated from each other to prevent a guest from broadcasting content to another room, but also that after their stay on site, guests would no longer be able to access the room. This is made possible by RAN, one of Wifirst's flagship technologies.
Wifirst unified network for hotel Paradiso
The architecture deployed at Hôtel Paradiso is a perfect illustration of Wifirst's ability to support ambitious, innovative projects. By combining technological expertise with knowledge of the specific needs of the cultural and hotel sectors, Wifirst is helping to reinvent the customer experience. In practical terms, this translates into a a WiFi booking score of 9.4/10.
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