Global hospitality group Accor’s Orient Express has opened its first hotel in Rome, Italy, in partnership with Arsenale Group.
Nestled at Piazza della Minerva 69 and a short walk from the Pantheon, Orient Express La Minerva revives a 17th-century palazzo. The hotel’s restoration was led by artist-architect Hugo Toro.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The launch of the hotel, which offer 93 rooms and 36 suites, follows the recent introduction of La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
Orient Express CEO Gilda Perez-Alvarado said: “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.”
Guests will find themselves in an atmosphere reminiscent of the train, with details such as bedside trunks and wooden accents.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataOrient Express La Minerva also features three dining venues, including La Minerva Bar under a grand glass roof, showcasing a preserved statue of Minerva.
The hotel’s culinary landscape will expand with the opening of Gigi Rigolatto next month, a dining venue conceptualised by Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society.
Later this year, the hotel will introduce Mimi Kakushi, a restaurant offering a taste of 1920s Osaka.
Orient Express La Minerva provides five distinct spaces for events, including the Olimpo Ballroom, spanning 165m² and the 54m² Rinaldi Meeting Room.
The 75m² Gallery and other meeting rooms further complement the venue’s offerings.
Arsenale Group CEO Paolo Barletta said: “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 centrepiece — confirms Italy’s ability to attract strategic investments and strengthens Arsenale’s role as a key player in international luxury development.”
In May 2022, Orient Express entered an agreement with Arsenale to open its second property in Italy.
