Experimental Roma

Via Veneto was once the epicentre of Roman glamour, where film stars, aristocrats and paparazzi gathered during the golden age of Italian cinema. Federico Fellini immortalised the atmosphere in La Dolce Vita, establishing the neighbourhood’s enduring mythology. Just off this legendary avenue, Experimental Roma brings a contemporary interpretation of that hedonistic past. Opened in October 2026, the hotel occupies a former 19th-century bank at 46 Via Ludovisi, transformed by French hospitality group Experimental into an 82-room destination for design, dining and cocktails. Rather than recreating Fellini’s Rome, the hotel borrows its cinematic spirit and gives it a distinctly modern personality.

Roman Glamour Through French Eyes

Paris-based designer Rodolphe Parente has created interiors inspired by Italian cinema, historic palazzos and the exuberant design culture of the 1950s to 1970s. References to Palazzo Altemps and Villa Medici appear alongside sculptural furniture, polished chrome and unexpected material combinations. Marble meets folded stainless steel, terracotta contrasts with glossy surfaces, and rich textiles soften geometric architectural forms. A dramatic staircase reinforces the theatrical atmosphere, while carefully considered lighting adds intimacy. The result is playful, sophisticated and deliberately unconventional, balancing Roman grandeur with contemporary French irreverence.

Eighty-Two Rooms, Two Personalities

The hotel’s 82 rooms and suites follow two distinct design directions. One evokes an aristocratic Roman bedroom, with colourful architectural volumes, theatrical headboards, draped fabrics and warm Mediterranean tones. The other takes a more restrained, almost futuristic approach, introducing mineral finishes, lacquered ceilings and sculptural stainless-steel details. Artistic references range from Cy Twombly to contemporary European galleries, while bathrooms combine warm wood, cool stone and bespoke patterns. Throughout, Parente avoids conventional hotel uniformity in favour of interiors with genuine character.

Roman Cuisine and Cocktail Culture

At Ludovisi e Cadore, Roman-born chef Giovanni Passerini, who established his reputation in Paris, brings a contemporary perspective to the city’s culinary traditions. His menu explores classic Roman cooking, including the historic quinto quarto tradition, with seasonal ingredients and refined interpretations of familiar dishes. The restaurant occupies a striking ground-floor space beneath a glass roof, designed as much for local Romans as hotel guests. Nearby, the Experimental Cocktail Club channels the atmosphere of a vintage nightclub, with dark timber, deep green interiors and inventive cocktails. It is a natural addition for a hospitality group whose reputation was built around cocktail culture.

Rooftop Life Above the Eternal City

The hotel’s rooftop offers an entirely different atmosphere. A swimming pool surrounded by greenery and fringed orange parasols creates an unexpectedly relaxed retreat above central Rome, while La Terrasse serves cocktails against a backdrop of rooftops and historic landmarks. Views stretch towards Villa Borghese and across the Eternal City, making this an appealing address from afternoon swims to sunset drinks. A spa provides a quieter counterpoint to the hotel’s more sociable spaces.

A New Roman Address

With the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and Villa Borghese nearby, Experimental Roma occupies an excellent position for exploring the city. Yet its real appeal lies within its own walls. Rodolphe Parente’s expressive interiors, Giovanni Passerini’s cooking and Experimental’s signature cocktail culture bring fresh energy to a neighbourhood traditionally dominated by grand hotels. It is a confident reinterpretation of Roman glamour, where nostalgia meets contemporary design without becoming a period piece. Fellini might not recognise every detail, but he would probably appreciate the atmosphere.