The Orient Express Suite at La Minerva

Why it is on the list

La Minerva fills a whole block on Piazza della Minerva, beside the Pantheon and Bernini's elephant; the palazzo dates from 1620 and has taken guests since 1811.¹ Hugo Toro redid it, and it reopened as the first Orient Express hotel in April 2025.² Suite 501 is the largest of its four Signature Suites, all of which face the Pantheon and the piazza.² It is 190 sqm: a living and dining room, a vanity and powder room, and a Rosso Verona marble bathroom with a bathtub and a walk-in shower.³⁴ A kitchenette and an honour bar are in the suite.⁴

It is the wrong choice for anyone who wants to be outdoors. The Grand Terrace Suite in the same hotel is 160 sqm with a private terrace of about 63 sqm.⁵ Across town, the Hassler Penthouse is the other suite to ask about.

How to get it

Call reservations on +39 06 99 74 81 80 or write to reservations.laminerva@orient-express.com, and ask for the Orient Express Suite, room 501.⁶² For a family, ask to connect it to the Deluxe Room over Piazza della Minerva; together they make a two-bedroom residence of 235 sqm.⁴ The Signature Suites run to €15,000 a night.¹ The stay includes a return transfer from the airport or station in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, pressing and a 60-minute spa treatment for two.⁴ The concierge can arrange a private visit to the Pantheon after hours.²

Discretion

Guests are met on arrival in Rome and driven to the hotel, and a dedicated guest experience team looks after the suite.⁴ Guests on the La Dolce Vita train are taken by the concierge to the private Orient Express lounge at Roma Ostiense.¹