Over two weekdays in July, we stayed in the hotel’s only suite, a sprawling 58 square meter space on the fifth floor overlooking the streets of the Paris.
Experimental Marais opened in March 2025 at 116 Rue du Temple, bringing the Experimental Group’s third Paris hotel and first flagship to the Marais. The 43 room property took over the hotel formerly known as Sinner and retained interior architect Tristan Auer. It also introduced the group’s restaurant, cocktail bar, and spa concepts to the new address. The hotel is bold in its ecclesiastical and French art-de-vivre design, but many of the highlights were centered on the hotel’s offerings.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
Check-in was boutique in scale, with a small reception desk rather than a lobby counter. The receptionist gave us a key fob attached to a tassel and walked us through the hotel and suite. Service remained attentive and friendly throughout the stay without being too formal.
Entering the suite, the first thing to notice is the layout. Curtains and mirrored doors partition the spaces, separating the living room and bathroom on the left from the bedroom on the right. High ceilings followed the angles of the roof, giving each room a different shape. The minibar and espresso machine were tucked at the end of the entry, conveniently placed for coffee on the way out.
The living room was the pièce de résistance. Cream leather Togo seating from Ligne Roset surrounded a glass table set with crystal decanters filled with spirits. A classical torso stood beside shelves filled with art, fashion, photography, and architecture books. Bookshelves were also lined in the bedroom and even the water closet, making the collection feel like part of a personal library.
A record player came with vinyl ranging from French classics to Madonna’s Like a Prayer, connected to the suite’s sound system. A lot of hotels use art and books as decoration. Here, the books and music gave us a reason to use the room rather than simply photograph it. The hotel attributes these objects to Henri Evelyn Marcel, a fictional traveler created by Auer and visual artist Clovis Retif. His drawings, photographs, books, and souvenirs appear throughout the property as if he recently checked out.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
The bedroom was more relaxed, with a king size bed, down duvet, and pillows set against a wide dark wood headboard. Books lined the ledge above the bed, while warm floor lamps kept the space balanced. The bathroom went in the opposite direction. Red tile surrounded the bathtub, double vanity, and a rainfall shower that doubled as a steam room. Swedish brand L:A Bruket products were generously placed throughout. There was also a rectangular Typology soap bar, a fitting neighborhood detail with the brand directly across the hotel.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
Air conditioning was one of the less photogenic highlights. Paris summer weather was warm, yet the system cooled the entire suite evenly. With the windows open, we could hear the street, but it was normal neighborhood activity rather than constant New York honking. The Dyson menu was another unusually current detail. In addition to the hair dryer in the room, guests could borrow different Dyson styling tools. A surprising number of luxury hotels still feel dated when it comes to bathroom technology. This was the first hotel we had stayed in with a full styling tool menu.
Breakfast both mornings gave us an easy comparison between the restaurant and room service. The first was served downstairs at Temple & Chapon, while the second arrived in the living room. Presentation was beautiful in both settings. The menu could feel limited over a longer stay, but for two mornings, it was plenty.
Photo Courtesy: The Knockturnal
On the first floor, the spa had a bubbling Roman bath large enough for a small group and a separate hammam. Low lighting and dark tile made it a quiet retreat after a day outside. There is no gym, although the hotel provides running routes and can arrange personal coaching.
The location also made the rest of Paris easy to reach. The RER B journey from Charles de Gaulle took under an hour, and we spent most of the stay walking or using Vélib bikes. The Marais was busy but never felt especially congested during the week. The Experimental Group’s flagship has the makings of a fixture in the Marais, and its fifth floor suite is easily the room to book. With a charming bedroom, reliable air conditioning, and a rainfall shower that doubled as a steam room, it felt like a lived-in Parisian apartment with the comforts of a five-star hotel.
