LUXE Serendipity magazine

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with luxury trains, unique experiences and collections of rare objects. Now Orient Express has just launched its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – which will be followed by Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, welcoming its first guests in 2026. The luxury travel experience continues with the recent launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and finally, the return of the legendary Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine-dining sectors

Orient Express La Minerva, opened in Spring 2025, is nestled in the heart of Rome, with magnificent views of the iconic Pantheon. Originally built in 1620, and transformed in a hotel in 1811, Palazzo Fonseca hosts the first Orient Express Hotel in the world, combining rich heritage with contemporary elegance across 93 rooms and suites. The hotel is also home to one of the city’s most exciting food and beverage concepts, Gigi Rigolatto, located on the hotel’s rooftop, with immersive views of the Eternal City, bringing a new life to one of Rome’s most beautiful and iconic terraces. In the lobby lounge, La Minerva Bar, a sophisticated all- day-dining outlet, invites its guests to settle beneath the restored glass and iron roof, whilst gazing at the original statue of the Minerva goddess by Rinaldo Rinaldi.

Orient Express La Minerva presents its opulent signature suites, deeply rooted in Roman history yet infused with a modern spirit. Each distills the soul of Rome and the codes of the railway legend: spaces conceived as richly layered cabinets of curiosities, where original frescoes converse with golden coatings, deep walnut and Rosso Verona marble.

The suites bear names that connect with history: Stendhal, Obelisco, La Minerva, and Orient Express. Stendhal, honouring the illustrious guest; Obelisco, recalling the Piazza’s iconic monument; La Minerva, a tribute to the guardian goddess; and Orient Express, a celebration of the house’s legendary travel legacy. Each, in its own way, creates an intimate scenography that weaves together the magic of Rome and the imagination of travel.

An architectural and sensitive composition

At the heart of the design is the finely tuned eye of artist-architect Hugo Toro, who created bespoke furniture crafted by Italian artisans. Bedside tables shaped like travel trunks, woven carpets reflecting Rome’s palette, hand-painted headboards in rose-hued skies recalling the shifting light of the Eternal City. Curtains in subtle shades of blue mirror the shutters of the surrounding buildings. Many of the fabrics were custom-designed by Hugo Toro, including sofas upholstery, carpets, and the fabrics covering the windows reveals. Every detail anchors the suites within the city’s heart. Along with books, games, as a nod to the leather backgammon set created by designer Hector Saxe for Orient Express, and objects of curiosity, each suite also houses unique contemporary artwork commissioned for Orient Express La Minerva: Alexander Onimus captured a series of photographs during the construction works; Lucy Naughton created Cloth map collage mounted on board and bound in black leather; Studio Blaau contributed geometric wood paintings; Studio Ulgador designed Eglomised glass pieces; and Gaultier Rimbaud-Joffard conceived a collection of artworks inspired by the lights of Rome.

The Orient Express La Minerva Signature Suites

Stendhal Suite, 89 sqm

A tribute to the French writer who once stayed here, and to the many great minds who paused within these walls. The only suite of its kind in the hotel, it reveals fully vaulted ceilings adorned with restored frescoes, a space that balances grandeur and intimacy. This one-bedroom suite overlooks both the Pantheon and the Piazza della Minerva. It comprises a private salon, a writing desk, a powder room, and a monumental Rosso Verona marble bathroom where a freestanding bathtub sits in the centre of the room, beneath a spectacular painted vault. Each piece of furniture is unique and made to measure.

La Minerva Suite, 108 sqm

Echoing Minerva, the Roman goddess of arts and wisdom from whom the hotel takes its name, this one-bedroom suite is an elegant retreat perched on the top floor, defined by high ceilings and a generous sense of space. It features a separate living area, a private dining room and kitchen, and a bathroom in Rosso Verona marble with double sinks, a walk-in shower, and a freestanding bathtub. Windows frame the Piazza della Minerva and, just beyond, the Pantheon. This suite can also be connected to an adjacent suite with a view, creating a two-bedroom apartment of 166 sqm.

Obelisco Suite, 133 sqm

Imagined as the private residence of an aesthete, this one-bedroom suite opens onto a grand salon centred around a bespoke travertine fireplace, carved with figures of dancing nymphs and incorporated with a mirrored TV – a sculptural statement shaped through traditional techniques. Every piece of furniture, from the fireplace to the sinuous sofa, is custom-made by artist-architect Hugo Toro. The living and dining areas are linked by a monumental curved joinery piece in glossy wood, which functions as a minibar on the living room side and transitions into a sideboard and TV unit on the dining room side. The curving wall, clad in burr wood and located in the bedroom extends to form a large dressing room finished entirely in burr wood and green forest marble. A discreet kitchenette allows for dinners prepared by a private chef, while a vanity desk, powder room, complete the suite’s thoughtful layout. In the Rosso Verona marble bathroom, a chiselled white marble wall catches the light above the bathtub. From the windows, the view unfolds over Bernini’s elephant carrying the Egyptian obelisk in Piazza dellaMinerva, with the Pantheon rising just beyond. A record player with a curated selection of vinyl adds the final note of personality. This suite can also be connected to an adjacent deluxe room with a view, creating a two-bedroom apartment of 178 sqm.

The Orient Express Suite, 190 sqm

The largest and most exclusive of them all, this suite stands as an ode to the heritage of the legendary Orient Express. A space of mystery and opulence. A hidden door opens onto an intimate study, while the living room revolves around a sculptural masterpiece by artist-architect Hugo Toro: a bespoke sofa that combines seating, a travertine built-in side table, and a monumental library which conceals a reading bench. This centrepiece defines the room’s identity, setting the tone for an interior both theatrical and serene. The living and dining areas are linked by a monumental curved joinery piece in glossy wood. A dual-function design that serves as a minibar on one side and transitions into a sideboard and TV unit on the other. The dining room is enhanced by a travertine fireplace. The private kitchenette is ideal for a private chef or intimate gatherings. The suite also includes a vanity desk, a powder room, and a spacious walk-in closet. In the Rosso Verona marble bathroom, an engraved white marble wall rises above a monumental bathtub, alongside double sinks and a walk-in shower. A signature record player with a curated selection of vinyls adds the final, soulful touch. With commanding views over the Pantheon and Piazza della Minerva, this grand suite offers a discreet retreat. Orient Express Suite can be interconnected with a deluxe room with Piazza della Minerva view to form a two-bedroom apartment of 235 sqm.

HOW: All Signature Suites at Orient Express La Minerva offer a distinctive level of service and exclusivity. Guests benefit from a personalized meet and greet upon arrival in Rome, round-trip private transfers to or from the airport and/or main railway station, full laundry and pressing service, and the attention of a dedicated guest experience team. Each stay also includes an Honor Private Bar and a 60-minute bespoke spa treatment for two. Rates start from €23,000 per night for the Orient Express Suite, €15,000 for the Obelisco Suite, €10,000 for La Minerva Suite, and €7,000 for the Stendhal Suite.

Reservations are available by contacting our reservations center at +39 06 844 290 and at reservations.laminerva@orient-express.com.

In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient- express.com. @orientexpresslaminerva on Instagram or begin your stay at the website www.laminerva.orient-express.com.