Experimental has officially announced the opening of its striking new Roman address, a vibrant and cinematic hotel meticulously designed to embody a contemporary vision of the legendary Dolce Vita. Situated on the prestigious Via Veneto within a grand building that formerly housed a traditional bank, the property introduces a fresh, design-forward hospitality experience to the Italian capital. Featuring 82 thoughtfully curated rooms, a lively rooftop, a suspended swimming pool, and an immersive interior scheme conceived by acclaimed designer Rodolphe Parente, the hotel promises to become a major destination for international travelers and design enthusiasts alike.
The opening marks a significant milestone for the brand, blending the historical grandeur of the Eternal City with a fresh, contemporary perspective. Rather than leaning into predictable nostalgia, the hotel embraces the complex character of Rome, offering visitors a sensory-rich environment that balances historic weight with modern hedonism.
Reflecting on his design approach for the property, Rodolphe Parente explains the conceptual foundation behind the spaces. “For Experimental Roma, I did not want to recreate or imitate a nostalgic vision of Rome,” says Parente. “Instead, I wanted to create a living tribute, a free interpretation expressed through materials and space. A place charged with the same tensions that define Rome itself: sacred and profane, splendour and decadence.”
Upon entering the lobby, guests are immediately greeted by an intimate yet dramatic interior that successfully bridges heritage and reinvention. Parente has reinterpreted traditional Italian opulence through a distinctively French lens, paying homage to the legacies of legendary Italian masters such as Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa, and Luigi Caccia Dominioni. These historical references are expressed through subtle, sophisticated nods to the 1970s aesthetic, incorporating polished chrome tubing, disco-inspired accents, tactile lurex carpets, a dramatic sculptural staircase, and a rich palette of textured materials.
Moving through the public spaces and into the restaurant, the cinematic theme deepens. Enveloping banquettes, plush quilted drapery, and exposed structural beams create an atmosphere that feels directly inspired by classic Italian cinema. Crowning the property is an expansive rooftop bar that overlooks the historic rooftops of the Eternal City, complete with a swimming pool and a sun-drenched terrace designed for leisurely afternoons and atmospheric evenings.
The hotel’s 82 guest rooms are thoughtfully divided into two principal categories, each offering a distinct aesthetic and emotional experience. The first category evokes the rich, theatrical atmosphere of a traditional Roman bedroom. These spaces are bathed in soft light filtered through elegant interior shutters. Guests are welcomed by large blocks of vibrant color, dramatic headboards inspired by antique drapery, and a profound sense of romantic intimacy reminiscent of the historic Villa Medici. Colorful basins, lively design details, and an expressive material language establish a compelling dialogue between ancient Roman baroque influences and the unabashed hedonism of the 1970s.
In contrast, the second room category embraces a more refined, almost futuristic aesthetic. Mineral patinas, two-tone lacquered ceilings, and ribbed stainless-steel headboards that resemble contemporary sculptures come together to cultivate a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. Throughout these accommodations, carefully selected artworks evoke the influential artistic worlds of Cy Twombly, Christo, Ugo Ferranti, and the Yvon Lambert Gallery. The bathrooms within these spaces are conceived as striking contrasting boxes, skillfully balancing the warmth of natural wood with the cool elegance of stone, pairing raw materials with bespoke graphic details.
Summarizing the overarching design narrative of the property, Parente emphasizes the interplay of contrasting elements that define the guest experience. “Experimental Roma is a hotel of inverted perspectives,” Parente concludes. “A French interpretation of Italy; an Italy reinvented through materials, textures and light. Noble materials interact with reimagined industrial elements. Marble converses with folded stainless steel, while terracotta tones vibrate against polished metal surfaces. Rome is reflected — quite literally — as if in a mirror. It is a city of shadows and reflections, a city that never exhausts itself, that continues to inspire dreams, desire and thought. This is the Rome we invite our guests to inhabit.”
