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The Orient Express is a legendary name in travel – and beyond – since its inception in the late 1800s. Featuring in films, books and Vogue photoshoots, and transporting everyone from royalty to presidents and film stars, this is all-out, full-frontal luxury, in every sense of the word.
So just imagine our excitement when we heard the brand was opening its very first hotel in Rome: La Minerva. And yes, its everything you want it to be – decadent; historic, intimate, layered with stories and designed with Art Deco sensibilities, and plenty of nods to train travel. Oh, and it’s topped off with the best rooftop restaurant in the city. Let’s get into it, shall we?
Why should I stay at Orient Express La Minerva?
Well, its existence is sort of bucket-list-worthy in and of itself. Set within a 17th-century palazzo, originally a nobleman’s home, and later a luxury hotel of ‘Grand Tour’ fame hosting artists, writers and aristocrats, the Orient Express has given the space new meaning with centuries-old sculptures next to sleek, modern furnishings and a fabulous spa.
What are the rooms like at Orient Express La Minerva?
Choose between a room, suite or signature suite for your stay. I stayed in a Superior Room and it worked really well as a solo traveller. The space featured a double bed, a small table with two chairs, generous closet and walk-in shower. It all depends on perspective: if you’ve scrimped and saved to stay here, it doesn’t feel overly spacious and so I’d be tempted to say go for the next category up for a really special experience.
What shines here is the design scheme. Conceived by French architect Hugo Toro, the best way to describe it is rich – but, I don’t mean that ostentatiously. Every surface is layered, textured and oozing storytelling. Walls are alive with brush strokes, while dark wooden panelling behind headboards evokes traditional motifs of train travel, and shell-shaped sinks are hued in deep, red marble. I loved that the wardrobe area features overhead bag racks, just as you’d find on a train.
I took a tour of some of the signature suites and, as expected, they really are spectacular. Spanning multiple rooms, think gleaming dining tables, original artworks, frescoed ceilings and historic sculptures, next to sleek furniture. If I were Madonna, I’d stay there.
What are the dining options at Orient Express La Minerva?
The rooms are gorgeous, but it’s the hotel as a whole that makes an impact. The ground floor is home to La Minerva Bar, an all-day dining destination, just off the lobby. It feels like the heartbeat of the hotel, capped by a glass, conservatory roof, you can feel daylight change to dusk. A harpist plays throughout the afternoon, welcoming guests, and the bar is characterised by an imposing sculpture of the hotel’s namesake, the goddess Minerva, crafted by 18th-century sculptor Rinaldo Rinaldi. Does it get more ‘eternal city’ than that? As for the food, classic Italian dishes are given a polish, but the menu is generally easy-eating. I opted for a beautifully-presented aubergine parmigiana and deconstructed tiramisu.
On the rooftop you’ll find Gigi Rigolatto Roma, a collaboration with the RIKAS Hospitality Group who brought the fashionable Gigi name to Paris. Also designed by Toro, sumptuous seating and tiled flooring offset jaw-dropping jaws. I would heartily recommend the thin slices of veal doused in tuna sauce and a show-stopping dessert, like the Il Limone which sees a lemon prised apart and stuffed with ice cream, served on a pedestal.
What’s the service like at Orient Express La Minerva?
Professional, warm but restrained. Waiters are more likely to keep their distance than crack jokes, but that feels typical of this kind of luxury, especially at a venue that’s popular with business travellers.
What are the facilities at Orient Express La Minerva?
If you’re interested in hosting a private event, the subterranean floor is home to a stunning ballroom with original sculptures from the 1700s. While on the ground floor, swish boardrooms would make any meeting feel like a scene from La Dolce Vita.
For vacationers, however, The spa is where it’s at. Richly hued and moodily lit, it’s unsurprisingly gorgeous with a wellness philosophy founded in ancient Ottoman rituals. The hammam deserves a particular mention which is flawlessly chic and the spa menu is thoughtfully planned with therapies that take you on a journey, rather than delivering a standard offering.
What’s the area like around Orient Express La Minerva?
The location has been carefully selected, allowing the hotel the privacy of a small square, but landmarks like the Pantheon are just around the corner. You’re very much in the thick of it, even if it doesn’t initially feel like it. Within a ten minute walk, I enjoyed visiting antique bookshop and treasure trove Antica Libreria Cascianelli, having a snoop around the decadent Church of Saint Louis of the French, and glugging an Aperol Spritz outside pub-bookshop, Antica Libreria Cascianelli.
Why should you book a stay at Orient Express La Minerva?
If you’re a fan of vintage glamour and the days of slow travel, you’ll love being immersed in this stylish, considered reinterpretation of the iconic brand.
DETAILS
Address: Piazza della Minerva, 69, 00186, Rome
Expect to pay: From €1015 per night
Closest transport: Argentina bus stop is a four-minute walk