Orient Express La Minerva in Rome is now accepting reservations.

The 93-key property is set to open in Spring 2025 as the first hotel under the Orient Express brand. Situated in the historic Piazza della Minerva in the heart of Italy’s capital city, it will offer 93 rooms and suites and a comprehensive food and beverage program, including a new rooftop restaurant and bar with views of the Eternal City.

“This milestone proudly marks the long-anticipated arrival of our first Orient Express hotel – Orient Express La Minerva. Nestled in the heart of Rome, it is not only a destination for the most discerning travelers seeking exceptional experiences but also a place for Romans to come together,” said Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO, Orient Express. “Here, Orient Express meets the soul of the Eternal City, creating a unique space where stories are shared and cultures converge. It is with great pleasure to officially introduce the first asset to Orient Express’ iconic portfolio of hotels, trains, and sailing yachts.”

Formerly known as Palazzo Fonseca, the building was built in 1620 as a residence for Portugal’s aristocratic Fonseca family, before being transformed into a hotel for the first time in 1811. It rapidly became a favorite destination for prominent artists and intellectuals during their Grand Tours of Italy, hosting luminaries such as Stendhal, Herman Melville, Vittorio Alfieri and Pope Puix IX.

In 2021, it was acquired by Arsenale SpA. Since then, it has undergone a comprehensive renovation, with its interiors and historical features meticulously restored and designed under the direction of Hugo Toro, a Franco-Mexican artist and architect. The resortation work reflects a project rooted in the history of Rome. Inspired by Roman domus and the riches of the Eternal City, it now combines Art Déco style with contemporary elegance.

Highlights of the Orient Express La Minerva include:

• The La Minerva Bar, home to the building’s skylight and service as a tribute to Minerva, the Roman goddess of art and craftsmanship who inspired the project.
• A luxury spa that evokes the atmosphere and rituals of Ottoman baths.
• Three meeting rooms as well as the Olimpo Ballroom, which is decorated with Murano glass chandeliers and 12 marble statues by Rinaldo Rinaldi, depicting the four elements, the four seasons, and the four continents known at the time.
• Voliera, a rooftop restaurant and bar that serves Mediterranean cuisine and crafted cocktails along with views of nearby landmarks such as Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Altare della Patria, and the tower of the Quirinal.