Orient Express is set to launch its first hotel, La Minerva, in Rome in 2025. Housed in the historic Palazzo Fonseca, a 17th-century building overlooking Piazza della Minerva, the property has operated as a hotel since 1811. It was most recently known as the Grand Hotel de La Minerve before closing for renovation. Located in the Pigna neighborhood, just steps from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, the hotel is part of Accor’s expansion of the Orient Express brand, bringing this historic name in travel into a new era of hospitality.
Designed by architect and interior designer Hugo Toro, the hotel will feature 93 rooms, including 36 suites. The design will honor Palazzo Fonseca’s original architecture while incorporating modern details. Many rooms will offer views of the surrounding historic landmarks, placing guests in the heart of Rome’s cultural and architectural heritage.
La Minerva will feature a spa, a fitness center with Technogym equipment, and multiple dining venues, including a Japanese restaurant, La Minerva Bar, Wagon Bar, and a rooftop lounge overlooking the city. The hotel's prime location provides easy access to some of Rome’s most iconic sites, including the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, and the city's renowned museums, restaurants, and shopping districts.
La Minerva marks the beginning of a broader revival for Orient Express under Accor, which is expanding the brand beyond its legendary train journeys. Following the Rome opening, hotels in Venice and Riyadh are set to debut, reinforcing Orient Express’s presence in key destinations. The brand is also reintroducing its rail experience with La Dolce Vita Orient Express, launching in 2025, and venturing into maritime travel with Orient Express Silenseas, a luxury sailing yacht scheduled for 2026.
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