Francis Ford Coppola’s All-Movie Hotel: A Cinephile’s Dream Come True

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Meanwhile, as Francis Ford Coppola was busy crafting his long-awaited indie masterpiece, Megalopolis, right outside Atlanta, he was secretly engaged in an unconventional artistic endeavor as well.

During his leisure hours, the director behind both “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” opted to purchase and refurbish an aged Days Inn located in Peachtree City, Georgia. His vision was to construct a one-of-a-kind fusion venue, designed to cater to filmmakers working locally as well as movie enthusiasts everywhere. The concept aimed to offer a warm, inviting accommodation for those involved in the film industry or simply passionate about films.

The outcome is the All-Movie Hotel, a 27-room boutique establishment, which debuted during the summer and features a fully operational postproduction studio completed in early this year. For two years prior to the 2024 release of Megalopolis, Coppola resided and worked here. Evidence that the space was tailored specifically for his preferences abounds, from the breakfast pastries served on plates previously utilized as part of the set design for Megalopolis, to the control knob in the ADR room labeled with a sticker saying “FFC,” signifying it’s adjusted to his preferred headphone volume.

Despite his deliberate approach to filmmaking, Coppola finds himself unexpectedly in the hotel business. Back in 1993, he transformed a hunting lodge his family had purchased a decade prior in Belize, initially intended as a private retreat, into a high-end resort known as Blancaneaux Lodge and open to the public. The Coppola family now manages seven hotels under their “The Family Coppola Hideaways” brand, which includes properties in Guatemala, Argentina, and Italy – all of which hold personal significance for them.

Situated approximately 30 miles from Atlanta in a lush residential area, the All-Movie Hotel marks the Coppolas’ inaugural U.S. hospitality venture and their first designed with work in mind. This establishment is conveniently positioned just 9 miles away from the bustling Trilith Studios, formerly known as Pinewood Atlanta Studios. It was at this studio where Coppola filmed ‘Megalopolis’, and numerous Marvel and DC films, such as the upcoming ‘Thunderbolts’ and ‘Superman’ movies, were also produced during the summer of 20XX. Georgia’s entertainment industry plays a significant role in its economy, with the state hosting 273 film and television productions in the year 2024, thanks to an attractive tax incentive program offering up to 30 percent in savings.

The All-Cinema Lodge, a hotel offering exclusive discounts for productions, is eager to serve as a home-away-from-home for some of the non-resident cast and crew involved in these productions. For regular guests, rates start at $180 per night for a standard queen room and can go up to $420 for the Francis Ford Coppola Suite, which boasts distinctive touches of a film director — a large cinema screen and projector, plus luxurious velvet directors’ chairs. However, it also includes some unique features that reflect Coppola’s personal preferences, like a vintage three-in-one toaster, coffee maker, and griddle he often uses for his breakfast during travels, as well as high-quality Japanese-style bathrobes that were handpicked by his late wife, Eleanor, a textile enthusiast who passed away in 2024. The hotel offers a Japanese suite, adorned with an original artwork by Coppola’s friend, director Akira Kurosawa, and letters exchanged between Kurosawa and Ingmar Bergman, creating an intimate atmosphere amid shoji privacy screens and classic black-and-white photos of renowned Japanese film stars.

Coppola often invited Eleanor and their trio of kids to accompany him on film set locations, while this hotel was specifically designed to welcome entire families as well. It features bunk beds, a playroom for children, and even hopscotch patterns etched onto the flooring outside guest rooms.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that this hotel doesn’t just offer comfortable living spaces, but also innovative areas designed for filmmaking! You’ll find a stage equipped with a bluescreen and soundproof editing suites among its amenities. Whether you’re working in a postproduction space or relaxing in your room, every area is linked via Ethernet for seamless collaboration. It’s fascinating to see how elements from the former Days Inn have been creatively reimagined – for example, artwork from the old guest rooms has been repurposed as soundproofing panels in the editing suites.

Scattered throughout the hotel, you’ll find items that will delight movie enthusiasts and fans of Francis Ford Coppola in particular. For instance, there’s a golden hawk statue from the film “Megalopolis” in the parking lot, while the lobby boasts a “Godfather” pinball machine and an “Apocalypse Now” carpet. The hotel also houses a 30-seat screening room named after Dorothy Arzner, the first woman to join the Directors Guild of America and a film professor of Coppola’s at UCLA. A poster outside this screening room during a January visit advertised screenings of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo”, Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and Coppola’s own “Rumblefish”.

Additionally, there’s a cozy green room designed for gatherings and shared meals, adorned with some of Coppola’s personal touches such as his preferred Illy espresso machine, a bubbly water station, and a six-burner Wolf range – a favorite spot for him to whip up pastas for his cast and crew, reminiscent of Clemenza in The Godfather. For those who prefer not to handle the kitchen themselves, the hotel is equipped with an option for a private chef.

You can find this interesting tale in the May 7 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to stay updated, consider subscribing by clicking here!

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2025-05-10 20:56