Tucked away on the serene Piazza della Minerva, just steps from the Pantheon, Orient Express La Minerva welcomes guests into a quietly opulent world where Roman history meets Art Deco finesse. The iconic travel brand’s debut hotel in the Eternal City opened in spring 2025, breathing new life into Palazzo Fonseca—a 17th-century noble residence reborn with reverence and flair.
Inside, every space whispers of craftsmanship and story. Frescoed ceilings soar above marble columns, while each of the 93 rooms and 36 suites offers a bespoke blend of textures—think handcrafted furnishings, fine Italian linens, travertine bathrooms, and Orient Express’s signature leather-clad travel trunks beside the bed. Many rooms open onto views of the square below or the rooftops beyond, capturing the quiet beauty of Roman mornings.
Suites elevate the experience further, with private terraces, expansive living areas, and original architectural details that speak of centuries past. Grand signature suites, some with private kitchens or panoramic views, channel the elegance of a bygone era—reimagined for modern travellers.
At the heart of the hotel, La Minerva Bar offers a tranquil retreat under a restored glass skylight, with views of Bernini’s statue and cocktails as artfully composed as the setting itself. Up on the rooftop, Gigi Roma blends Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with breathtaking vistas across the domes and spires of Rome. A third restaurant, Mimi Kakushi, opening later in 2025, will bring a dash of 1920s Osaka to the Eternal City—bold, glamorous, and deliciously unexpected.
Wellbeing is a pillar of the experience here. A serene spa, still evolving, draws inspiration from Roman and Ottoman bathing rituals—hammam, sauna, plunge pools and deeply restorative treatments. For those craving movement, the fitness and yoga studio offers space to recharge between ancient ruins and indulgent meals.
The service is as personal as it is discreet. From a concierge steeped in local insight to thoughtful in-room details—Dyson amenities, Rivolta Carmignani linens, curated wine and perfume selections—everything is designed to elevate the stay without intruding upon it.
In a city of timeless beauty, Orient Express La Minerva stands apart—a sanctuary of heritage and hedonism. It feels not like a hotel, but like a chapter from another time, rediscovered and refined. Here, Rome is not just seen—it is felt.