Marking a new chapter for the travel brand, Orient Express has opened its first hotel in the heart of Rome.
Housed within a restored 17th-century palazzo overlooking Piazza della Minerva, Orient Express La Minerva brings the glamour of luxury rail travel into a permanent hospitality address.
Tapping into history at Orient Express La Minerva
The hotel—comprising 93 rooms and 36 suites—was envisioned by architect and designer Hugo Toro. The interiors are rich in materiality and storytelling, paying homage to past voyagers—among them French realist writer Stendhal—who once found refuge within its walls.
Bespoke trunks, Rivolta Carmignani linens, and polished wood finishes recall the brand’s iconic carriages, while hand-painted skies above the guestroom beds and tactile layers throughout public spaces evoke a cinematic, transportive experience.
Dining and social spaces
Dining and social spaces are equally immersive. La Minerva Bar, set beneath a glass ceiling and framed by original marble columns, offers a refined reprieve, while Gigi Rigolatto—a rooftop concept by Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society—captures the spirit of la dolce vita with sweeping city views. Mimi Kakushi, inspired by 1920s Osaka, is set to open later this year.
The hotel also features five bespoke event venues, including the Rinaldi Meeting Room, a nod to the interiors of vintage Orient Express carriages, and the Olimpo Ballroom, surrounded by marble sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi.
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