Orient Express La Minerva (Rome) recently unveiled The Spa, a new haven inspired by the ancient rituals of Roman thermae and the cleansing traditions of the Ottoman hammam. Designed by artist-architect Hugo Toro as a space for transformation, the experience unfolds as a voyage through baths and treatments in which time slows, and each stage prepares the body and mind for what follows. Like the legendary train itself, the spa is conceived as a transformative journey.
The Spa’s essence is structured around steam and a sequenced spatial progression inspired by the three stages of the ancient thermal ritual: the tepidarium, a temperate space of gradual acclimatization; the caldarium, a warm environment combining pools and steam; and the frigidarium, the final invigorating cold bath.
Spaces alternate between shared relaxation areas and single and double treatment rooms. Hand-blown Murano glass fixtures cast a soft, candle-like glow, heightening the tactile atmosphere. Brown travertine, red and veined marble, Roman-style plaster, and stained oak all create a sense of texture. The contrast of stone, wood, and richly woven textiles, including the canopy beds in the relaxation area, anchors the space in a distinctly earthy, elemental sensibility.
At the heart of The Spa is a finely crafted marble hammam , surrounded by delicate fountains resembling Triton basins, echoing those found in the hotel’s guest rooms. Contemporary moucharabieh screens filter sightlines, deepening the exploration of light and texture. The hammam, an ancient Ottoman purification ritual, integrates Roman influences, establishing a connection between East and West, recalling the historic route of the Orient Express linking Paris to Constantinople.
Among the treatments offered, the signature rituals, Dea Minerva and Stop Constantinople, invite guests on a complete sensory journey: rose-infused foot baths, aromatic steam, Kassa exfoliation, rhassoul clay wraps, foaming massages, and face and hair treatments. Rasul rituals leave guests feeling refreshed, with their senses awakened and skin radiant. Passed down from Byzantium to Istanbul, these experiences celebrate the regenerative power of water, heat, and touch.
Furtuna Skin, the Italian luxury skincare house rooted in regenerative agriculture and clinically proven performance, is the exclusive skincare partner. Formulated using ingredients cultivated on the brand’s 800-acre organic estate in Sicily, La Furtuna Estate, its products harness extra-virgin olive oil, wild-foraged botanicals, and medicinal herbs grown in accordance with biodiversity-led restoration practices. Deeply aligned with the spa’s reverence for ancient ritual and elemental healing, Furtuna Skin’s approach bridges heritage and high-performance, pairing time-honored agricultural wisdom with modern science to deliver transformative results.
“At Furtuna Skin, our philosophy has always been rooted in the idea that true beauty is born from ritual, heritage, and a deep respect for the land,” says Agatha Relota Luczo, founder and CEO of Furtuna Skin. “Partnering with The Spa at Orient Express La Minerva felt like a natural extension of that belief. The Spa’s reverence for ancient purification traditions, historic elegance, and holistic restoration aligns with our own commitment to time-honored botanicals and transformative wellness. Together, we are crafting immersive rituals that nurture the skin, restore the spirit, and invite a sense of renewal befitting one of Rome’s most storied destinations.”
Obsidian treatments, including the signature Furtuna Skin x La Minerva Exclusive Vibrancy Facial, have been developed for The Spa, combining manual techniques, beauty tools such as an obsidian Gua Sha, and natural active ingredients. The Furtuna Skin treatments incorporate nature’s most potent skin-reviving ingredients and awaken the senses with unique combinations of circulatory stimulation and detoxifying techniques.
“Collaborating with Furtuna Skin represents a meaningful addition to Orient Express La Minerva,” says Simone Giorgi, general manager of Orient Express La Minerva. “Together, we have created an experience that elevates our wellness offering through a shared Italian heritage, and exceptional know-how and craftsmanship. Our spa offers our guests an exclusive journey inspired by Ottoman rituals, while remaining deeply connected to the vibrant heart of Rome and land-driven innovation.”
The Spa at Orient Express La Minerva provides a holistic path to regeneration. Inspired by the ancient healing traditions of the East, its treatments transport guests on a sensorial journey, evoking distant cultures and timeless rituals and offering an immersive wellness experience in the heart of the Eternal City.
