I must confess that I haven't been to this theater before they renovated it...so I can't compare…read moreold and new...but this place is really something for movie lovers! The tickets cost a little bit more but it's definitely worth it! But let me just start at the beginning...
You come in and see dark scarlet rugs (fluffy long hair) on the floor and white walls. The lighting is very cosy and lounge like, just like the music they play in the background. You are pointed straight to the cloakroom attendant that takes the coat for you so you don't have to have it hanging around in your seat. After that you get a welcome drink...which I didn't expect and think is a nice treat. You can now just stay in the "foyer" listen to music and talk or go with you drink into the theater hall.
The hall is gorgeous! Scarlet walls, grey carpet (also fluffy), nice relaxed lighting and really really really comfy seats! (See also pics)
So, first the seats. They have really enough space to wobble around freely! If you think those seats are to small you should check and see if you need a diet... Anyway you have a footstand to put your feet on and you can swing your backrest back a little (don't worry about the people behind you, there's enough room...really). You also have your own little table and a menu card.
After you seated yourself and looked at the menu, which has normal stuff like popcorn, chips, softdrinks etc. but also neat stuff like olives, tea, champagne, whiskey and something they call towers (a plate tower with different stuff on each plate), a service member comes right to your seat and you can order what you want and they bring it to you. Prices are actually normal they didn't make those extra expensive. So you see, it's no problem if you come a little earlier...I would actually recommend it!
Now that you are set up, the curtains open and they show a little history of the gloria palast which is cool and instead of showing some advertisement they show a short movie (changes). I'm pretty sure they start that way in case people do come a little later and still want to order something. Anyway I enjoyed that and I totally support the idea showing short films.
The screen and soundsystem is probably all new (surroundsound 7.1)...if that means anything to anybody...I thought it was great and I really enjoyed sitting in those seats all relaxed with my feet streched out.
Anyway, if you love the movies and you are willing to pay a litlle extra for extra service this is the place to be!