LHLThe Luxury Hospitality LibraryOn the record
Register/Part I — Hotel Brands/Volume VI — Lifestyle & Design Houses/Experimental Cocktail Club
LHL-103 · P1-06-08master complete

Experimental Group

Experimental Group has become one of Europe’s most influential lifestyle hospitality companies, blending boutique hotels, acclaimed restaurants, cocktail bars and private members’ experiences. The brand is known for transforming historic buildings into design-led hotels with a distinctly Parisian spirit and contemporary luxury.

History

Founded in Paris in 2007 by Olivier Bon, Pierre-Charles Cros and Romée de Goriainoff, Experimental began with the Experimental Cocktail Club before expanding into boutique hotels and restaurants. The group has grown across France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland and Italy while maintaining its independent identity.

Brand Philosophy

Experimental believes hospitality should be social, creative and deeply connected to local culture. Each hotel combines distinctive design, destination-driven gastronomy, lively public spaces and highly personalized service.

Architecture & Design

Historic townhouses, alpine retreats, beach resorts and landmark urban buildings are reimagined by leading interior designers. Contemporary aesthetics, bold colours, curated art and residential comfort define the brand.

Service Philosophy

Service is relaxed, attentive and personal. Teams create an informal luxury atmosphere where guests feel like locals while enjoying refined hospitality.

Signature Houses

Experimental ChaletVerbier, Switzerland
The alpine flagship, where the group’s bar culture and design language move into a ski destination.
Experimental MaraisParis, France
A Parisian townhouse hotel in the Marais and one of the clearest expressions of the house style.
Henrietta ExperimentalLondon, United Kingdom
The Covent Garden hotel that carried the group into the British market.
Experimental ChaletVal d’Isère, France
The second alpine property, extending the mountain proposition into France.
Menorca ExperimentalMenorca, Spain
A restored Balearic farmhouse, the group’s Mediterranean island expression.
Cowley Manor ExperimentalCotswolds, United Kingdom
A Georgian country house in Gloucestershire, reimagined as a design-led rural retreat.

Brand Characteristics

Experimental is distinguished by boutique lifestyle hotels, award-winning cocktail culture, destination restaurants, contemporary design, vibrant social spaces and carefully curated experiences.

Timeline & Brand Profile

2007 — Experimental Cocktail Club opens in Paris. 2015–2020s — Expansion into hotels across Europe.

Conclusion

Experimental Group has redefined European lifestyle hospitality by combining boutique accommodation, outstanding food and beverage concepts and contemporary design. Its distinctive identity has made it one of the continent’s most recognizable independent hospitality brands.

Editorial Note

This page is built from the short-format master (source document LHB-053). The register code for Experimental Group is LHL-103 and the register name is Experimental Hotels; LHB is the retired code series and is recorded here only as the provenance of the source document.