Looking Around

Orient Express La Minerva: A Timeless Roman Interlude

A few steps from the Pantheon, in one of Rome’s most storied piazzas, Orient Express La Minerva unfolds within a 17th-century palazzo reimagined by architect and artist Hugo Toro. Here, history and contemporary vision converge in an immersive sequence of interiors shaped by memory, craftsmanship, and a distinctly modern Roman way of living - where the spirit of travel is translated into a refined lifestyle experience.

Entering Orient Express La Minerva feels less like arriving at a hotel and more like being welcomed into a private Roman residence shaped by layers of history. The former Palazzo Fonseca reveals itself through a sequence of atmospheric spaces, where original architectural elements such as vaulted ceilings, marble columns and sculptural details, coexist with a contemporary design language.

Hugo Toro’s vision transforms the building into a refined cabinet of curiosities, where each room narrates a story through texture, light, and material. Walnut wood, Rosso Verona marble, brushed metals, and bespoke furnishings create interiors that are both theatrical and intimate, evoking the romance of the Grand Tour while remaining deeply rooted in the present.

All the rooms and suites are conceived as personal sanctuaries, inspired by the golden age of travel and the poetic palette of Rome itself. Hand-painted headboards recall the hues of the Roman sky at dawn and dusk, while custom trunks, soft textiles, and tactile surfaces echo the legendary carriages of the Orient Express. Among them, the Signature Suites stand as the ultimate expression of this philosophy: richly layered environments where frescoed ceilings, sculptural fireplaces, curved wood paneling, and curated artworks create a domestic yet cinematic atmosphere. Views over Piazza della Minerva and the Pantheon further blur the boundary between interior space and the city’s eternal stage.

Lifestyle at Orient Express La Minerva unfolds through spaces designed for both contemplation and conviviality. At the heart of the hotel, La Minerva Bar sits beneath a dramatic glass skylight, watched over by the original marble statue of the goddess Minerva - a quiet guardian of wisdom and the arts. The space transitions effortlessly from day to night, offering an elegant setting for slow mornings and refined evenings.

Above, the rooftop becomes a destination in itself: Gigi Rigolatto captures the exuberant spirit of the Italian Riviera, framed by a 360-degree panorama across Rome’s rooftops and monuments, transforming dining into a sensory experience suspended between sky and city.

What defines Orient Express La Minerva is its ability to translate travel into a lived experience - one shaped by craftsmanship, cultural depth, and understated luxury. Every detail, from bespoke furniture crafted by Italian artisans to contemporary artworks commissioned specifically for the hotel, reinforces a sense of authenticity and narrative continuity. More than a place to stay, La Minerva is a lens through which Rome is rediscovered: slower, more intimate, and profoundly immersive. Here, the legacy of Orient Express finds a new form, rooted in interiors that celebrate the art of living as the ultimate journey.

Photography by Alexandre Tabaste.