The legendary Orient Express steps off the rails and into the world of high-end hospitality with its first hotel, La Minerva, in Rome —along with plans for Venice and the open seas. Here are Orient Express hotels.
When we think of the Orient Express, it’s hard not to picture Agatha Christie. Her 1930 classic Murder on the Orient Express, set aboard the most luxurious train of its era, immortalized the brand in the world of mystery and glamour. That she penned part of it at Istanbul’s iconic Pera Palas Hotel only deepens the allure, allowing readers to almost feel the opulence of the journey —even if they’ve never set foot on the train.
Now, the storied 140-year-old Orient Express brand—acquired by French hospitality giant Accor in 2017—is making a grand return. But this time, it’s not the train that’s making headlines. It’s La Minerva, a newly opened luxury hotel in Rome, which raises the bar with its design, heritage, and elegant suites.
Set in the heart of Piazza della Minerva, the 17th-century building was originally built in 1620 as a residence for the Portuguese Fonseca family. In 1811, it was purchased by the French Sauve family and transformed into a hotel known as Palazzo Fonseca.
