Orient Express has opened its first hotel in Rome with the debut of Orient Express La Minerva. The property is located at Piazza della Minerva 69, steps from the Pantheon. The building, a restored 17th-century palazzo, was reimagined by architect Hugo Toro. The hotel has 93 rooms and 36 suites.
The project was completed in partnership with Arsenale Group. This is the second opening following La Dolce Vita Orient Express and ahead of the upcoming Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice.
Hugo Toro oversaw the restoration. The interiors include custom furniture, wooden accents inspired by the train’s carriages and linens by Rivolta Carmignani. Public areas include lounges, a lobby bar and corridors referencing the brand’s legacy.
“The rooms are shaped by a dialogue between past and present,” said Toro. “Each detail is intended to create movement, light and depth.”
Suites include the Stendhal Suite, named after the French author who once stayed in the building. Rooms feature ceiling murals painted in soft tones, a design reference to the city’s skies.
The property includes five meeting and event venues. The Olimpo Ballroom is 165 square meters and features eleven sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi. The Gallery is 75 square meters, adjacent to the bar, and features a ceiling modeled after the Pantheon dome. Additional meeting rooms include the Rinaldi (54 sqm), Alfieri (28 sqm) and Bernini (26 sqm).
La Minerva Bar is set beneath a glass ceiling and original marble columns. The statue of Minerva, sculpted in 1854 by Rinaldi, stands at the center of the space. “We wanted to preserve the architectural memory of the building while introducing new energy,” Toro said.
Two dining venues will open to the public in the coming months. Gigi Rigolatto is scheduled to launch in May 2025 on the rooftop terrace. The concept is a collaboration between Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society. The venue includes 360-degree views of the city, including the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vittoriano.
“Gigi Rigolatto will reflect the Roman rhythm of life, from morning to night,” said a representative of Paris Society. “It is an interpretation of Italian elegance through a contemporary lens.”
Later in the year, the property will debut Mimi Kakushi, developed by Rikas Hospitality Group. The restaurant pays tribute to 1920s Osaka and blends Japanese and Western influences. The original location in Dubai opened in 2021 and was named Best Bar in the Middle East & Africa in 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Bars.
“We believe in transporting guests through both place and time,” said the Rikas team. “Mimi Kakushi is part of that idea.”
Orient Express La Minerva is the brand’s first hotel opening and part of a broader strategy to reestablish its presence in key European destinations. The next hotel will open in Venice.
