Orient Express proudly announces the appointment of Simone Giorgi as the new General Manager of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, effective October 1, 2025. With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Giorgi assumes leadership of the brand’s first hotel, opened in April 2025, owned by Arsenale Group and developed in collaboration with Orient Express, tasked with overseeing its strategic positioning, development, and daily operations, embodying the excellence and tradition of Italian luxury hospitality. Giorgi’s career began in 2000 as Director of Food & Beverage at Park Hyatt Milan, followed by roles such as Director of Operations at Starhotels Italia, managing properties in Venice, Milan, Trieste, Paris, and New York, and General Manager at Il Salviatino, Villa Cora in Florence, and JK Place Capri, before returning to Park Hyatt Milan in 2018 as General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Feasibility for Hyatt in Italy; named Hotelier of the Year 2024 by Virtuoso, he is renowned for crafting unforgettable guest experiences.
This appointment marks a pivotal step in Orient Express’s vision to create an Italian journey blending elegance, discovery, and authenticity, from exclusive trips aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train to extraordinary stays in Rome and, from 2026, Venice, celebrating the art of travel. “With Simone Giorgi, we strengthen our commitment to Italy; his leadership will be key to bringing the Orient Express philosophy to life in Rome, delivering a unique, refined, and immersive experience in the Eternal City,” said Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express.
Located in the heart of Rome, steps from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, Orient Express La Minerva, opened in April 2025, merges contemporary flair with the charm of a 17th-century palace overlooking Piazza della Minerva, a historic address beloved by Grand Tour travelers like Stendhal, George Sand, and Herman Melville for its understated elegance and central location; meticulously restored by architect Hugo Toro, the hotel blends tradition and modernity. Its iconic seventh-floor terrace hosts the Gigi Rigolatto Roma restaurant and bar, offering breathtaking views of the Pantheon and Rome’s rooftops, with a Mediterranean glamour and a touch of vibrant eccentricity, serving as a meeting point for local and international guests, in line with the global Gigi collection’s style.
