UK: Paris-based Experimental Group has purchased the Cowley Manor, its first UK property outside of London.
Experimental acquired Cowley Manor from Jessica and Peter Frankopan, co-founders of A Curious Group of Hotels. It marks the eighth hotel under Experimental and comprises 31 rooms across the main house and stable buildings.
Cowley Manor will continue to operate in its current form. Later plans involve a refurbishment of the interiors and the addition of four new room types. The entire team will be retained.
Newly appointed local chef Dominic Hargreaves joins Cowley Manor to create an updated menu for the restaurant, along with the introduction of open-air cooking during the summer months. The drinks menu will also be refined and plans are underway to work with local breweries and distilleries. A sommelier is set to be named for the property.
Other amenities at Cowley Manor include a spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, steam room and gym.
Founded in 2007, Experimental Group operates four Experimental Cocktail Club bars in Paris, London, Venice and Verbier; three wine bars, Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, in Paris, London and New York City; ten restaurants and beach clubs in Menorca, Verbier, Paris, Venice, Ibiza and London; and eight hotels in London, the Cotswolds, Paris, Ibiza, Verbier, Menorca and Venice.
Earlier this year, the group received €350 million investment from Brookfield Asset Management to open around 15 hotels in the US and the UK.
