In the heart of Rome not far from the Pantheon, in Piazza della Minerva, will rise the world's first hotel signed Orient Express. With an expected opening in the spring of 2025 and reservations active as of today, the luxury hotel changed hands in 2021 from the Billi family, owners and operators of the hotel for the past 30 years, to the portfolio of Arsenale, a company active in luxury hospitality that thus continues its strategy of enhancing valuable Italian assets alongside the biggest international brands. The hotel is housed in the ancient Palazzo Fonseca, dating back to 1620 and initially the residence of the Portuguese family, then converted into a hotel in 1811. The subject of restoration by architect Hugo Toro, the five-star hotel consists of 93 luxury rooms and suites. The global brand's goal is to use this first opening to kick off a new collection. After being acquired by Accor in 2022, the French hotel giant entered into a joint venture agreement with Lvmh in June 2024 to push the revival of the iconic brand. For two years already, Orient Express has been developing new initiatives for trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The next steps will be the rebirth of a historic train and the launch of the first Orient Express sailing yacht in 2026. In parallel, the brand will open a hotel in Venice in addition to Rome.