In the ancient heart of Rome, where history merges with elegance, the world’s first Orient Express hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, opened its doors on April 7.
The inauguration ceremony, held under the majestic gaze of the Pantheon, was attended by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Tourism Councillor Alessandro Onorato, and executives from Arsenale Group, Orient Express, and Annabel Holding, marking a new chapter in global luxury hospitality. Located at 69 Piazza della Minerva, the hotel resides in a 17th-century palace that once hosted illustrious travelers like Stendhal and Herman Melville, icons of the Grand Tour. Today, following a meticulous restoration led by renowned architect Hugo Toro, the building has been reimagined with contemporary flair, housing 93 rooms and 36 suites—some spanning up to 235 square meters—where custom-made trunks, precious woods, and Rivolta Carmignani fabrics evoke the ambiance of the legendary Orient Express carriages.
The suites, including the Stendhal Suite dedicated to the French writer, are design sanctuaries that weave together different eras, with hand-painted Roman skies above the beds, creating a dialogue between past and present. Three exceptional culinary experiences elevate the hotel’s offerings: La Minerva Bar, framed by marble columns and dominated by a 19th-century statue of the goddess Minerva, provides an elegant retreat shifting from natural daylight to intimate evening ambiance. From May 2025, the Gigi Rigolatto terrace will offer panoramic views over Rome’s rooftops, blending Riviera-inspired elegance with the vitality of la dolce vita. Later this year, Mimi Kakushi will transport guests to 1920s Osaka, fusing Art Deco aesthetics, jazz influences, and reimagined Eastern flavors—a concept already celebrated in Dubai as the Middle East’s Best Bar.
The hotel also features five event spaces, including Hall Olimpo, adorned with marble sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi, and Rinaldi Hall, inspired by historic train carriages. Each venue, from the intimate Sala Bernini to the Galleria with its Pantheon-inspired ceilings, is steeped in mythic allure, watched over by the silent statue of Minerva, symbolizing wisdom and art. “Rome, with its layered beauty, is the perfect canvas to redefine the Orient Express legacy,” says Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express. Paolo Barletta of Arsenale Group adds, “Here, we unite the identity of a legend with our vision to transform iconic locations into global excellence.”
Orient Express La Minerva is not merely a hotel: it is a sensory journey honoring the past while shaping the future, reaffirming Rome as an immortal beacon of culture, hospitality, and style. A corner of magic where, yesterday as today, the world meets and falls in love.
