Experimental Group lands in Val d’Isère
Experimental Group has announced the opening of Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère, a 113-room hotel in the heart of the Alps.
Formerly L’Aigle des Neiges, the hotel has been completely transformed by Dorothée Meilichzon. The building – which is constructed of lauze stone, concrete and wood – inspired the designer, with its logs, branches, stonework and wood panelling offering a starting point for the interior design scheme.
The spirit of the forest permeates every nook of Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère, including across its two restaurants, spa, cocktail bar, meeting spaces and terrace. Throughout the hotel, from wardrobes, headboards and handles in guestrooms, to seating around a stone fireplace in the restaurant, guests will find nods to the forest outside.
The L’Aigle D’or restaurant is directly inspired by this forest spirit – log wall panelling frames tapestries of woven fabric, whilst woollen carpet and dark red and blue hues are offset by brushed stainless steel, aluminium and white marble. Delicate marquetry, floor lamps made from skis and mushroom lamps are dotted throughout.
At the more intimate L’Aiglon restaurant, diners come together along high benches around a stone counter to share wood-fired raclette. Rosette-shaped indentations in the walls are reminiscent of vintage butter moulds and the markings of bread, while stone inserts on the floor, hanging paper lamps, plastered walls and dark wood give the space a cosy, rustic feel.
Melichzon was also inspired by the art of skiing throughout the hotel’s design, which features details including mirror frames in the shape of skis, snow-white marble throughout and table legs made from ski poles. Going further, the team developed a ‘ski’ plaster made with lime that reflects the colours of the wide tracks carved in the snow on the steep face of Bellevarde.
The furnishings and decor also evoke the Savoyard traditions of the mountain village. Throughout the hotel, guests will find wooden chests like those handed down from father to son, carved footprints reminiscent of bread marked before it goes to the wood-fired oven, marquetry straps, ecru boucle carpeting, benches upholstered in soft duvets and a number of hidden Yeti paws.
Experimental Cocktail Club Val d’Isère, the sixth of its kind globally, is furnished with benches on platforms overlooking a large wooden counter, carved and woven. A second seating area is tucked away, with soft carpets and velvet decorated with frescoes reminiscent of the resort’s piste map. The space, which plays host to a DJ, is inspired by the 70s, with floor-to-ceiling carpeting, wood and ceramic tables, and red, orange and burgundy tones throughout.
Elsewhere, in collaboration with Dr Barbara Sturm and Les Laboratoires Mansard, the Spa by Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère offers a number of wellness experiences, and is home to a pool massage rooms, a Nordic ice bath, sauna and hammam.
“Following the resounding success of Experimental Chalet Verbier, we wanted a foothold in the French Alps, and Val d’Isère is a place we held special in our hearts,” says Pierre-Charles Cros, co-founding partner of Experimental Group. “The hotel is ideally located very close to the slopes and, at the same time, it’s right in the epicentre of the resort which offers an atmosphere that we love so much. We immediately knew we found the perfect place for Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère.”
