A new chapter unfolds in the story of luxury: the one written by Orient Express. The legendary brand, which since 1883 has transformed travel into a timeless aesthetic experience, is now undergoing an extraordinary expansion. On Monday, June 2nd, at the historic Academy Mansion—an elegant period residence located between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, New York City—Orient Express unveiled its latest visions and achievements to the international public. The exclusive presentation was attended by Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of the brand, and Philippe Hetland Brault, President of Orient Express Silenseas, underscoring the strategic importance of the new sailing yacht fleet project.
During the event, through immersive projections and storytelling, some of the brand’s most ambitious projects were revealed, including the inauguration of the first luxury train designed and built entirely in Italy; the opening of bookings for the first Orient Express sailing yacht fleet; and the debut of a culinary experience by Gigi Rigolatto on Rome’s most enchanting terrace.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express: the first Made in Italy luxury train
Among the most significant new ventures by Orient Express stands La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the first luxury train entirely designed and built in Italy, born from the collaboration between Arsenale S.p.A. and Orient Express, with support from Fondazione FS Italiane and FS Treni Turistici Italiani of the FS Group. The train officially debuted on April 3rd at Roma Ostiense station, where the exclusive Orient Express Lounge for travelers was also inaugurated.
Key figures present at the inauguration included Paolo Barletta (CEO of Arsenale), Gilda Perez-Alvarado (CEO of Orient Express), Luigi Cantamessa (General Director of Fondazione FS and CEO of FS Treni Turistici Italiani), along with ministers Daniela Santanchè (Tourism) and Adolfo Urso (Enterprises and Made in Italy), and Rome’s Councillor Alessandro Onorato.
The train features 31 cabins—including 12 deluxe, 18 suites, and the prestigious Suite La Dolce Vita—and underwent a meticulous restoration and redesign. Interiors, curated by Dimorestudio, pay homage to the eclectic aesthetics and cultural vibrancy of 1960s Italy, evoking the iconic atmosphere of Fellini’s films. The eight itineraries span 14 Italian regions, from Venice to Portofino, Siena to the Sassi of Matera, the vineyards of Montalcino to the truffle routes near Nizza Monferrato, and Sicily’s Catania, Palermo, and Taormina.
Onboard, the culinary experience is crafted by three-Michelin-star chef Heinz Beck, who offers menus inspired by the local gastronomic excellence of each destination. This initiative aims to revive luxury rail tourism, celebrating Italy’s identity and creativity through art, landscape, and cuisine.
Rome, the heart of expansion: the world’s first Orient Express hotel, La Minerva
Orient Express’s expansion begins in Rome. Steps from the Pantheon, within an elegant 17th-century palace overlooking Piazza della Minerva, stands La Minerva—the world’s first Orient Express hotel, soon to be followed by “Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli” in Venice.
Inaugurated on Monday, April 7th, in the presence of Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Councillor for Major Events, Tourism and Sports Alessandro Onorato, Arsenale Group CEO Paolo Barletta, Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express, and Nicola Bulgari of Annabel Holding, the exclusive hotel is located in the heart of the Eternal City, within walking distance of its most famous monuments.
Masterfully restored by architect and artist Hugo Toro—renowned for transforming historic architectural gems into contemporary works—La Minerva blends Roman heritage with modern aesthetics, offering an authentic and refined experience. The hotel has 93 rooms, ranging from 25 to 235 square meters, including 36 suites unique in design and size, among them the Stendhal Suite, dedicated to the French writer who was one of the hotel’s most famous guests.
Each room recalls the golden age of travel with details inspired by the legendary Orient Express carriages, including custom trunks, fine woods, and fabrics by Rivolta Carmignani. Corridors and common areas evoke the luxury train’s elegance, while careful attention to textures, colors, and lighting creates a unique atmosphere—an enchanting corner where every space pays tribute to literary and cosmopolitan Rome.
“Orient Express’s expansion marks a fundamental strategic step in our vision to redefine global luxury travel. By blending the brand’s historic heritage with cutting-edge hospitality and sustainability innovations, we are creating an exclusive ecosystem. Our goal is to offer authentic, unforgettable experiences, positioning Orient Express as a benchmark in the world’s most prestigious destinations, inviting travelers to discover hidden beauty in every corner of the globe,” said Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express.
Adding to the hotel’s unforgettable experience is the opening of the Gigi Rigolatto restaurant on its terrace, already a reference point for the international elite between Paris, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez, conceived by Rikas Hospitality Group and Paris Society. This is no ordinary restaurant—the concept is “an Italian sky-view residence,” celebrating convivial elegance, refined cuisine, and breathtaking views.
Scheduled to open by year-end, Mimi Kakushi, a prestigious restaurant that immerses guests in the atmosphere of 1920s Osaka, will offer a fusion culinary experience blending traditional Eastern flavors with refined Western elements.
La Minerva offers five event spaces:
- Sala Olimpo (165 sqm), enriched by eleven marble sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi.
- Sala Rinaldi (54 sqm), inspired by the interiors of vintage Orient Express carriages.
- Sala Alfieri (28 sqm), a secluded retreat for exclusive meetings.
- Sala Bernini (26 sqm), discreet and uniquely finished.
- La Galleria (75 sqm), adjacent to La Minerva Bar on the ground floor, with ceilings recalling the Pantheon’s great dome.
The journey continues by sea: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
The story of luxury does not end on land. With the Orient Express Silenseas project, the brand announces the imminent arrival of Orient Express Corinthian—the world’s largest sailing yacht—set to sail the seas from summer 2026, followed by Orient Express Olympian (2027).
Measuring 220 meters long and featuring 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square meters, the vessel redefines luxury, offering spacious, meticulously designed areas that reinterpret the golden age of travel. The yacht’s artistic director, architect Maxime d’Angeac, has infused the design with timeless elegance.
The onboard culinary offer is curated by multiple Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, overseeing various restaurants, lounges, and bars, including a refined Art Deco-style speakeasy and entertainment spaces such as a 115-seat cabaret, a state-of-the-art recording studio, two swimming pools, and a private marina.
“With Orient Express Silenseas, we are ushering in a new era of luxury travel, where past elegance meets sustainable innovation for the future. It is an honor to lead this extraordinary journey that celebrates the art of travel and the excellence of French savoir-faire,” stated Philippe Hetland Brault, President of Orient Express Silenseas.
Following a 35-port itinerary focused on discovery throughout the Mediterranean and Adriatic—featuring stops in Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Portofino, Portoferraio (Napoleon’s secret refuge), Saint-Florent, and Lerici—reservations are now open.
At each stop, Orient Express Corinthian offers unique experiences evoking the routes of European romance, linked to local culture, history, and craftsmanship. From exclusive visits to the Pompeii archaeological site to private dinners on the Peggy Guggenheim Museum terrace in Venice, to the thrill of driving a race car on the famous Paul Ricard Circuit.
Artisans of travel
During the New York event, Gilda Perez-Alvarado captured the essence of the Orient Express vision with a simple, evocative phrase: “We are artisans of travel.” Every brand experience is conceived as a tailor-made masterpiece, a sensory and cultural story built around time, beauty, and memory. Whether a Roman suite or a sea voyage, attention to detail, aesthetic harmony, and service excellence are the constant ingredients of this new concept of luxury.
The expansion of Orient Express is not just growth—it is a new form of nomadic elegance. A way of traveling that looks to the past to imagine the future. An invitation to be guided by those who have always aimed to make every departure a signature experience.
