Orient Express La Minerva, The First Orient Express Hotel In The World, Is Now Open In Rome

Orient Express Comes to Rome

Orient Express has unveiled that its inaugural hotel in Rome, Orient Express La Minerva, is officially open. Steeped in history and showcasing a sophisticated travel ethos, Orient Express La Minerva represents a fresh perspective on hospitality, emphasizing the richness of experience. Situated at Piazza della Minerva 69, right in the city's core, Orient Express La Minerva is mere steps from the Pantheon and within a short stroll to Rome’s cultural gems. The hotel features 93 rooms and 36 suites, with each room distinct in size, design, and character.

This opening signifies the rebirth of a 17th-century palazzo on Piazza della Minerva, where notable figures like Stendhal and Melville once found inspiration and solace. A key stop on the Grand Tour, Rome has always attracted cultural enthusiasts with its rich art, history, and enduring magnificence. Since 1883, this Eternal City has been a vital destination for Orient Express travelers, providing a glimpse into a history that continues to influence the future. This launch follows the recent introduction of La Dolce Vita Orient Express. It looks forward to the opening of Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice later this year in collaboration with Arsenale Group.

Restored by artist-architect Hugo Toro, who is renowned for reviving historical treasures with modern elegance, the hotel merges Rome’s rich heritage with contemporary sophistication, providing guests with a truly authentic Roman experience that is both refined and unforgettable.

Each room is a homage to the golden age of travel, featuring bedside trunks, wooden detailing reminiscent of the legendary carriages, and luxurious bedding crafted by Rivolta Carmignani—the same linens once gracing Orient Express sleeper cars. The hotel’s corridors recall the polished elegance of the luxury train, while its lounges and public spaces invite guests to indulge in a Voyage of textures and perspectives.

Hugo Toro creates a vision of an ideal journey, welcoming guests into a hotel that embodies the essence of a refined aesthete. Every detail showcases a masterful blending of textures, tones, and light. Temporal and stylistic elements flow through the space, infusing it with subtle complexity, like the hand-painted depiction of Rome’s sky above each bed. At Orient Express La Minerva, suites are designed as soulful retreats inspired by Rome’s everlasting charm, including the Stendhal Suite, named after the famous French realist writer and one of La Minerva’s distinguished former guests, symbolizing the intriguing travelers who have wandered through the hotel’s historic corridors.

Adored by Romans and treasured by enthusiasts, Orient Express La Minerva features three outstanding dining venues, reflecting the unifying spirit and culinary artistry of Orient Express. It promises unforgettable gastronomic experiences that resonate with Rome’s relaxed tempo.

La Minerva Bar, located in the hotel’s main lobby, offers a sanctuary amidst the lively energy of Roman life. Under a magnificent glass roof, featuring the historic statue of Minerva and enhanced by original marble columns that radiate a gentle glow, the space transitions from warm Roman sunlight to a refined, intimate atmosphere.

Set to open in May 2025, Gigi Rigolatto will embody the essence of la dolce vita from morning until night at each table on the iconic rooftop in Rome. This unique initiative by Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society promises to deliver a dynamic vibe high above the Eternal City, complemented by stunning 360° views of the city's rooftops and landmarks, such as the Pantheon, the Vittoriano, and the grand dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. With a Riviera-inspired elegance and lively atmosphere, Gigi Rigolatto provides an upscale dining experience that beautifully combines timeless charm with modern energy – welcome to a world of glamour. Gigi is being developed in partnership with Rikas Hospitality Group, and its design has been crafted by Hugo Toro, who has drawn inspiration from the historical elements that have shaped Italy into what it is today.

Mimi Kakushi, set to debut at Orient Express La Minerva later this year, is an award-winning restaurant that transports diners to 1920s Osaka, a time marked by the creative intersection of Western modernism and traditional Japanese values. This restaurant encapsulates that transformative era, featuring the groundbreaking jazz age and blending Far Eastern flavors with Western influences. Since its launch in Dubai in 2021, Mimi Kakushi has received multiple awards, including recognition as the Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa by The World's 50 Best Bars in 2024. The concept of Mimi Kakushi is designed by Rikas Hospitality Group.

Orient Express La Minerva offers five event venues:

• Olimpo Ballroom (165 sqm), adorned with eleven exquisite marble sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi, symbolizing the seasons, elements and continents.

• Rinaldi Meeting Room (54 sqm), designed in homage to the interiors of vintage Orient Express carriages.

• Alfieri Meeting Room (28 sqm), an intimate enclave perfect for refined gatherings beneath its atmospheric vaulted ceilings.

• Bernini Meeting Room (26 sqm), discreet and exquisitely appointed.

• The Gallery (75 sqm), adjacent to La Minerva Bar on the ground floor, has ceilings inspired by the Pantheon itself.

Standing in quiet majesty, the statue of the goddess Minerva watches over it all. It is a marble masterpiece sculpted in 1854 by Rinaldo Rinaldi, a disciple of Canova. Goddess of wisdom, arts, and craftsmanship, she remains the silent guardian of the stories etched into these walls.

Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO Orient Express, states: “Opening the doors of Orient Express La Minerva marks a powerful moment in our journey. A city of layered beauty and bold character, Rome offers the perfect canvas to reimagine the legacy of Orient Express through new purpose and experience - where Romans gather, and international aesthetes unite. In partnership with Arsenale Group and through the visionary work of artist-architect Hugo Toro, we have the privilege to breathe new life into a heritage property deeply rooted in the fabric of this timeless city.”

Paolo Barletta, CEO Arsenale Group expresses: “With Orient Express La Minerva, we are inaugurating the very first Orient Express hotel in the world, giving shape to a new concept of ultra-luxury hospitality. This project combines the identity of a legendary brand with the entrepreneurial vision of Arsenale: transforming iconic places into world-class destinations. We chose Rome because it represents the crossroads between history, culture, and Italian hospitality. This debut, alongside the one of La Dolce Vita Orient Express trains — with Rome as the centerpiece — confirms Italy’s ability to attract strategic investments and strengthens Arsenale’s role as a key player in international luxury development.”