NEWS
A new chapter in luxury travel: Orient Express La Minerva opens in Rome
The legacy of Orient Express enters a bold new era with the official opening of Orient Express La Minerva, the brand’s first hotel in the world, now welcoming guests in the heart of Rome. Located at Piazza della Minerva 69, just steps from the Pantheon, the 17th-century palazzo has been meticulously restored and transformed into a sanctuary of timeless elegance, cultural resonance, and modern refinement.
With 93 rooms and 36 suites, each unique in character and layout, the hotel draws on the golden age of travel for inspiration. Designed by acclaimed artist-architect Hugo Toro, the interiors blend rich textures and subtle historical motifs to offer a profoundly Roman yet globally luxurious experience. Guests are greeted by immersive details—bespoke luggage-style trunks, hand-painted ceiling skies, and iconic materials that echo the heritage of the Orient Express trains.
La Minerva hosts three exceptional dining concepts. The La Minerva Bar, centered beneath a glass atrium and flanked by ancient marble columns, offers a tranquil yet sophisticated setting. In May 2025, the Gigi Rigolatto rooftop will open with panoramic views of Rome’s skyline and a Riviera-inspired menu, while Mimi Kakushi, opening later this year, will bring a bold reinterpretation of 1920s Osaka dining to the Eternal City.
With five distinct event venues, including the sculpture-adorned Olimpo Ballroom, and modern meeting rooms inspired by Orient Express carriages, the hotel is designed to host both intimate and grand occasions. The historical and artistic narrative is anchored by the statue of Minerva herself—an 1854 marble masterpiece by Rinaldo Rinaldi—presiding silently over this modern renaissance in hospitality.
A project developed in partnership with Arsenale Group, Orient Express La Minerva marks a strategic milestone for the brand, ahead of further expansion including Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice and the La Dolce Vita Orient Express trains. This debut embodies the convergence of legacy, design, and place, reestablishing Rome as the quintessential starting point for cultural discovery and refined travel.
Source: Accor
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