Why book?
For its unbeatable position in the heart of Marais, a hop and a skip from the city’s most charismatic boutiques, stylish restaurants, and artisan coffee. And importantly, to enjoy a bedroom with ample space among a hotel scene that champions charming yet tiny boutiques. It's also a 2026 Hot List winner.
Set the scene
Experimental Marais brings fresh energy and a unique style to the place where it all began. Just a 10-minute walk from the original Experimental Cocktail Club, which first opened its doors in 2007, it’s the newest (and, dare we say, the coolest?) member of the clan. Its position on Rue de Temple is inconspicuous—set back and fronted with tinted, frosted windows—but behind its doors is a different story. This is a place to be seen and be sociable, and it's gearing up to be the new hotspot for locals as well as out-of-towners lucky enough to call it home.
The rooms
It’s the first time Experimental Group has worked with designer Tristin Auer, who has lent a sense of individuality to the interiors. Each of the 43 rooms, which range from Classic (a double) to a sprawling suite, combines clean-lined paneling on the walls with curvaceous archways and mixes bright white with deep paint colors and clever lighting to emulate a cozy atmosphere. My room—a deluxe—was divine and a welcome departure from the city at night, thanks to blackout curtains and windows that canceled all noise. The bathroom was particularly fabulous, with its slim burgundy tiles, back-to-back sink situation, rounded gilded mirrors, and vast waterfall shower. In the bedroom, there was a huge, pillowy mattress that invited me to sleep longer than my schedule allowed, an old-school record player, and books that spanned everything from Where The Crawdads Sing to decorative high-fashion coffee table heroes. In terms of aesthetics, these rooms look good without trying too hard, and they’re functional, too. Charging ports can be found exactly where you want them, and you'll find wardrobes and a work desk in the room, as well as a coffee machine that is (essentially) fully stocked.
Food and drink
Temple & Chapon is a destination in its own right, and on opening week, it was already full of guests eager to see the most talked-about new spot in town. Head chef Melanie Serre will split her time between the city and Cap Ferrat, where she owns a restaurant on the beach. Here, one of the founders—or “the boys” as the team fondly refers to them—discovered Serre's talent. After starters alone, Serre's appeal is evident. The menu combines French and New York influences and includes freshly shucked oysters, crab cakes with a spicy kick, chopped salads, sole, lobster, and generous cuts of meat. Along with a team of 15 who work in the open kitchen, she plans to update elements of the offering every two months.
The neighborhood/area
The historic neighborhood of Marais is home to plenty of wonderful spots for shopping, dining, and entertainment. It has a trendy, hip atmosphere that travelers will love to explore.
Worth it?
Yes—this is the third Experimental hotel in Paris, and absolutely worth a stay, in no small part for its delicious food, see-and-be-seen atmosphere, and the gorgeous elements of original architecture on display.
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