Echo Point Travel

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Review: Our Stay at the Stunning Orient Express La Minerva, Rome

Rome is a city full of wonders, but our recent stay at the newly opened Orient Express La Minerva truly elevated our visit to a whole new level of comfort, elegance, and charm.

From the moment we began planning our trip, the concierge and reservations team impressed us with their excellent communication and responsiveness. Every inquiry was met with a prompt, thoughtful reply—something that immediately gave us confidence in choosing this hotel. We especially appreciated that they took note of our child’s allergy during the planning process. Unfortunately, this detail didn’t seem to make it to the breakfast team, which led to a few awkward mornings where we had to reiterate the allergy concern.

That said, our arrival experience was nothing short of regal. We were welcomed like royalty, with a seamless check-in and warm interactions that instantly made us feel at home. The staff throughout our stay were gracious, professional, and accommodating.

The hotel itself is a work of art. After a four-year renovation, it reopened just three months before our visit. Every corner speaks of refined design, luxury, and thoughtful details. It’s one of the most beautiful and comfortable hotels we’ve had the pleasure of staying in.

Location-wise, La Minerva strikes the perfect balance—it’s adjacent to the Pantheon, offering breathtaking rooftop views, yet it sits just beyond the tourist-heavy zones, providing a welcome sense of peace. Each morning, we were greeted by the gentle sounds of a live harpist on the rooftop terrace as we enjoyed breakfast. That detail alone added a blissful, almost cinematic touch to our mornings.

Of course, no hotel is without its quirks—especially in its early months. We did encounter a running toilet that maintenance wasn’t able to fix during our stay (I managed a temporary workaround myself), and the deadbolt initially didn’t operate, though that was swiftly resolved. Housekeeping also tended to service the room while we were out sightseeing during the day, which wasn’t ideal timing. We raised it with the concierge, but the pattern persisted.

Still, these minor issues didn’t detract from the overall experience. If anything, they reflect the growing pains of a new hotel finding its rhythm. With time, I’m confident these will be smoothed out. And any imperfections were gracefully offset by one last thoughtful gesture at departure: we were gifted beautifully curated mementos—LEGO sets for our children and elegantly scented candles for the adults. It was a lovely and memorable way to conclude our time at La Minerva.

Final thoughts? A solid 9/10.

We loved our stay and would return without hesitation. Orient Express La Minerva is a jewel in the heart of Rome—and a hotel experience worth savoring.