“We wanted the bar and the public spaces to be open to the locals so the guests would never feel like “tourists” but would mingle with real Parisians while in Paris” Romee de Goriainoff
To meet Romée de Goriainoff, it is best to be in the right place at the right time. A tireless traveler, he tours the cities of the world probing for current trends, knowing that to persistently question and understand what people want — well beyond their tendencies — is the best way to remain one step ahead. But if Romée de Goriainoff is intuitive by nature, this aficionado for philosophy and the history of thought understands that business must find the just balance between pragmatism and utopia.
For him, idealism is vain when devoid of practical sense. Accordingly, rather than follow fashion, he seeks to create institutions, places of life and pleasure, upheld by the key principles of quality products and quality service. His is a credo that runs contrary the habits of the establishment, but that has nevertheless defined the Experimental Group’s success.
The Experimental Group would be nothing without the unfailing friendship of its three founders. Childhood friends with personalities that contrast and complement one another, Romée de Goriainoff, Olivier Bon, and Pierre-Charles Cros know that if unity creates strength, it is their friendly sincerity that ensures longevity.
THC: What inspires you & why?
RDG: We’ve always wanted to create a hotel that would inherently connected with its own bars and restaurants. On top of that we wanted the bar and the public spaces to be open to the locals so the guests would never feel like “tourists” but would mingle with real Parisians while in Paris.
THC: How did you get into your business?
RDG: We opened bars and restaurants in Paris, London, NYC and Ibiza. We have a great expertise in hospitality. We felt the need to extend it to hotels.
THC: What are you working on right now?
RDG: We’re opening a new place in London. Joyeux Bordel, a cocktail bar in Shoreditch. We’re also launching a new 100 seat modern brasserie in the heart of Paris, on rue Bachaumont in June. We’re also working on two more hotel projects in both London and Paris, as well as a member’s club in Mayfair, and a Spanish wine bar in Paris.
THC: How do you see your space evolving?
RDG: Most of the bars and restaurants we’ll be opening in the future will be within our own hotels. We like the idea of offering the whole experience to our guests and clients.
THC: Who’s your hero or icon?
RDG: Richard Branson.
THC: Where’s your favourite spot around the world?
RDG: I love Le Seranuse in Positano.
