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1620
Orient Express La Minerva
Rome, Italy
Piazza della Minerva 69, Rome, Italy, 00186
Original Property Opened in 1620
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2026
The timeless allure of Rome is captured in Orient Express La Minerva. Housed in a 17th-century palazzo completed in 1620, its travertine stones and marble statues tell tales of the grandeur of antiquity and the phenomena of great beauty. Taking the name of Minerva, a Roman goddess of wisdom and war, the historic hotel has played a role in grand European journeys since 1811. Writers like Stendhal, George Sand, and Herman Melville were captivated by the moody romance of the hotel, and Stendal penned his famous “Roman Walks” from its rooms.
Orient Express rejuvenated La Minerva with meticulous Italian craftsmanship and an infusion of the legendary spirit of the historic Orient Express train once known as the “rolling palace.” The Orient Express train service began in 1883, and the adventurous passage between Paris and Constantinople redefined travel in its time. With striking historical details, a menu of apéritifs at the glass-domed lobby bar, and panoramic rooftop views of Rome, a new grand tour for the modern traveler awaits at Orient Express La Minerva.
Discover
- Discover the statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of war and wisdom, which watches over the hotel lobby from an alcove above. The figure was sculpted for the hotel in 1854 by Rinaldo Rinaldi, a student of Antonio Canova. Canova was of the most important Italian sculptures from the late 18th century. Works from his studio were known for their lifelike textures and were commissioned as far away as the Americas.
- Marvel at the artistry passed down by Italian craftsmen for centuries. Orient Express La Minerva has preserved or reimagined unique features throughout the structure. New hand-painted frescoes, including those on the ceiling of the Stendhal Suite, join original 17th-century frescoes throughout the building. Hand-blown Murano glass adorns light fixtures in hallways and guestrooms. As a result of this artistry, no two of the 93 guestrooms are alike.
- Discover the layers of Roman architectural styles within the restored palazzo. The original structure was finished in 1620 in the Baroque style. The lobby and guestrooms have original Neoclassical features including frescoes and marble columns. Designer Hugo Toro’s renovation echoed these architectural eras by incorporating elements like Roman travertine stone and shell-shaped Rosso Verona marble basins that echo Rome’s fountains. These components are topped off with Art Deco touches reminiscent of the Golden Age of Travel.
Explore
- Explore the archaeological wonders of ancient Rome. Monumental sites including the Pantheon and Temple of Hadrian are adjacent to Orient Express La Minerva. A short drive from the hotel brings guests to the Park of the Aqueducts, the Ara Pacis Museum, or the Appian Way catacombs.
- Visit the centers of Roman opera, ballet, and classical music. The Teatro Argentina was built 1731 and is located on the site of the ancient Theatre of Pompey where the assassination of Julius Caesar took place. The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, beautifully adorned with frescoes, has hosted opera and ballet since its opening in 1880.
- Shop the ateliers of Rome. From floral arrangements and perfumes to candles and block-printed fabrics, artisan workshops in the neighborhoods like Centro, Monti, and Trastevere provide travelers with a glimpse into local crafts. Via Margutta in Piazza del Popolo is especially known for its long tradition of hosting artists’ studios.
Experience
- Experience panoramic views from Orient Express La Minerva’s rooftop restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto Roma. Enjoy lunch while overlooking the twisted spire of the nearby Church of Sant Ivo della Sapienza and the noble dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Or join for aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks) to see the Pantheon at sunset.
- Experience Rome’s palazzos (palaces). Palazzos were incredibly ornate residences built for wealthy nobles between the 15th and 18th centuries. Their presence shaped not only the urban landscape of modern Rome but also the arts and culture across central Europe. A palazzo was marked by a monumental façade, a vast collection of fine art, and a grand reception level for entertainment called the piano nobile. Some even featured hidden courtyard gardens and private chapels. Many palazzos, like Orient Express La Minerva, have been reconfigured into everyday spaces. Some, like Palazzo Montecitorio and Palazzo Venezia, are home to governmental institutions and worldclass museums.
- Embark on a journey across Italy with Orient Express – La Dolce Vita. Orient Express’s contemporary railway voyages are a revival of the legendary Orient Express train between Paris and Constantinople that defined world travel in the late 1800s. From Sicily’s ancient landscapes and the coastal glamour of Portofino to medieval towns of the Val d’Orcia and the rolling Tuscan vineyards, Orient Express – La Dolce Vita invites travelers to experience a new golden age of slow travel.
- Experience the bustling contemporary art scene across Rome. The MAXXI National Museum of 21st Century Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, and the National Graphic Institute are just three of the celebrated institutions collecting contemporary works.
Taste
- Taste Mediterranean classics made with local ingredients at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto Roma. Reflected in the attentive service and quality ingredients, Gigi Rigolatto Roma prides itself on being not an Italian restaurant, but “the restaurant of an Italian.”
- Savor an Aperol Spritz at the rooftop Bellini Bar at Orient Express La Minerva. Made from a refreshing mix of Aperol, prosecco, and soda water, Aperol Spritz is a signature Italian pre-dinner drink best enjoyed in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere.
- Sample Rome’s Lazio cuisine at the city’s markets. With Rome as its capital, Lazio is a region in west-central Italy known for the pasta dishes carbonara and cacio e pepe. Artisan stalls at Testaccio Market and Mercato Centrale Roma abound with pecorino, parmesan, dry pasta, olive oil, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, Sambuca, and coffee.
- Taste Supplì, a beloved Roman street snack. Supplì are fried rice balls with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, best enjoyed while strolling through the lively Trastevere neighborhood.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offer
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
