The renowned Orient Express is setting up a high-end accommodation in Rome, providing a glimpse of its extensive facilities.
The renowned Orient Express is setting up a high-end accommodation in Rome, providing a glimpse of its extensive facilities.
The Orient Express La Minerva, scheduled to debut in central Rome in spring 2025, marks the debut of this renowned brand under its latest renovation. More hotels and luxury ships are in the works.
originally constructed in 1620 and transformed into a hotel in the 19th century, La Minerva has been refurbished to showcase Rome's storied past. The hotel aims to blend "Art Déco style" with "contemporary sophistication," preserving the historical allure of the Orient Express.
with 93 opulent accommodations, including 36 lofty suites, a sky-high bar and eatery, and a Turkish bathhouse, Orient Express La Minerva attracts both sophisticated tourists and locals, with nightly rates starting at €1,000 (approx. $1,055).
prime location
Nestled in Rome's heart, just a stone's throw from the Pantheon, La Minerva boasts what its promotional materials dub as one of the city's "most awe-inspiring panoramic scenes."
From the rooftop bar and restaurant, visitors can soak in vistas of the Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and St. Peter's Basilica domes, the Altare Della Patria, and the Quirinal tower.
La Minerva's strategic position in the historic Piazza della Minerva allows guests easy access to Rome's famed landmarks, such as the Spanish Steps, Colosseum, and museums, restaurants, and boutiques.
luxurious accommodations
Hugo Toro, a Franco-Mexican architect and interior designer, crafted the hotel as a private residence rather than a hotel, according to Orient Express Hotels Italy's general manager, Giampaolo Ottazzi.
La Minerva's rooms and suites, spanning 25 to 235 square meters (269 to 2,530 square feet), incorporate king-sized beds, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, and lavish Italian linens.
Some suites boast private terraces, offering guests an exclusive perspective of Rome's cityscape.
Those booking signature suites can anticipate finding turntables with vinyl records and Dyson hair dryers in their rooms. Guests may also request personal butler service, including unpacking or packing up to two items per person during their stay, and a one-way airport or main train station transfer.
As expectations would dictate from a name synonymous with lavish train dining cars, La Minerva offers two dining and drinking establishments: one on the roof and another in the elegant lobby.
forging a legacy
La Minerva represents the start of what Orient Express brand's proprietors hope will be a new era. Hotel conglomerate Accor acquired control of the brand name in 2017, following the purchase of a 50% stake from French railway company SNCF.
In 2025, Orient Express will introduce its second hotel, Palazzo Donà Giovanelli, in Venice.
Oriental Express will bring its sumptuous travel experience to the seas with the launch of two Orient Express Silenseas ships: La Dolce Vita in 2025 and Corinthian, the world's largest sailing yacht, in 2026.
Ottazzi commented, "after 140 years of history, this brand is reawakening, and our mission is to set a precedent...to endure for another 140 years."
And for those who missed the chance to traverse the iconic train journey or relive it, Orient Express trains will soon return to the tracks.
In mid-2026, passengers will have the opportunity to ascend into the vintage Orient Express cars from the 1920s and 1930s. The dining and bar cars have been tastefully renovated, emphasizing intimacy and elegance with soft lighting and marble pillars.
The suites have been lavishly reimagined, incorporating embroidered headboards, private bathrooms, and dressing rooms to elevate the experience.
After the successful renovation of La Minerva, Orient Express plans to expand its luxury offerings with more hotels and luxury ships. During your stay at Orient Express La Minerva, you can indulge in its prime location, providing easy access to Rome's famous landmarks.
To experience the top-notch accommodations, book a suite at Orient Express La Minerva, offering king-sized beds, marble bathrooms, and personal butler service. The hotel's expansion into Venice and the launch of its Orient Express Silenseas ships will further enhance the brand's luxurious travel experience.