Inside Rome’s Newest Luxury Spa At The World’s First Orient Express Hotel

The Orient Express La Minerva, housed in a 17th-century Roman palazzo overlooking the Pantheon, has unveiled its new spa, marking a significant addition to the Eternal City's luxury wellness landscape. This introduction positions the property, the legendary rail brand's inaugural hotel, as a refined Roman sanctuary following its anticipated opening.

Jim Dobson of Forbes reports on the property's debut, noting its 93 keys, which include four signature suites—Stendhal, La Minerva, Obelisco, and Orient Express. Each suite is reportedly adorned with Rosso Verona marble bathrooms, hand-painted ceilings, and original flooring. Dobson adds that many rooms, alongside the rooftop, offer panoramic views of the Pantheon and Rome.

The spa, conceived by artist and architect Hugo Toro, is described by Jim Dobson of Forbes as a 'tranquil retreat from another era,' designed to evoke the romance of historic rail journeys. Entering the spa, Dobson writes, immediately transports one to Istanbul, despite the design's foundation in ancient Roman bathing rituals. The guest experience, as he outlines, commences in a tepidarium, progresses to a caldarium with steam and heated pools, and concludes in a frigidarium for a cold plunge, leaving guests feeling 'refreshed and energized without being overwhelming.'

Jim Dobson further notes that within the spa, guests transition from shared lounges to private treatment rooms, where Murano glass lights cast a subtle glow over brown travertine, veined marble, Roman-style plaster, and stained oak. Toro's material choices of 'stone, oak, and polished marble' cultivate a serene and elegant ambiance without ostentation, according to Dobson's observations. At the heart of the spa lies a marble hammam, which Dobson details is inspired by the storied Orient Express route, featuring curved walls and small fountains akin to those in the hotel's guest rooms. Screened panels are used to modulate light, adding 'layers of shadow and texture.'

The hammam rituals offered at the spa, as described by Jim Dobson of Forbes, possess a rich history, blending Ottoman and Roman traditions, thereby honoring the Orient Express's historical connection between Paris and Constantinople. Dobson highlights two longer treatments, 'Dea Minerva' and 'Stop Constantinople,' both of which draw from these traditions. They commence with rose-scented foot baths, followed by steam, exfoliation with kessa gloves, ghassoul clay wraps, and foaming massages, concluding with facial and hair treatments. Additionally, the 'Raxul ritual' is mentioned, utilizing heat and mineral-rich mud to revitalize skin and senses. Dobson underscores that these treatments emphasize 'water, warmth, and touch,' simple elements that have enduring efficacy.

Our take: The Orient Express La Minerva represents a considered re-entry into the hotelier sphere for the storied brand, strategically choosing Rome as its initial outpost. The collaboration with Hugo Toro for the spa's design, blending Roman antiquity with Ottoman influences, signals a nuanced approach to wellness that prioritizes narrative and sensorial immersion over overt luxury. This property's focus on historical resonance within its spa offerings suggests a broader industry trend towards experiences deeply rooted in cultural heritage, catering to a discerning clientele seeking authenticity beyond mere opulence.