La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy’s Newest Luxury Train, Earns Top Marks from IRT Owners
We missed it by a day. A single day!
Eleanor and I had been waiting with bated breath for our trip to Rome to experience the world’s newest luxury train, the unbelievably gorgeous and meticulously operated La Dolce Vita Orient Express and its alluring partner hotel, Orient Express La Minerva. Both opened about one month ago. Our only disappointment?
We missed the vote choosing the Catholic world’s newest Pope – Leo XIV, of Chicago, IL – by a mere 24 hours!
Not that we had any reason to whine.
From beginning to end, our 3-day, 2-night trip on La Dolce Vita Orient Express luxury train, plus our relaxing time at Rome’s newly-renovated Orient Express La Minerva, were an absolute joy. In fact, we are delighted to announce La Dolce Vita Orient Express as the newest addition to our list of World’s Top 25 Trains®!
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Our stay at La Minerva was flawless. Built in 1620, it was originally a family palazzo, then transformed into a hotel in 1811. Located on the quiet Piazza della Minerva and just a few steps from the Pantheon, La Minerva is perfectly situated “where the action is.” But its own square is serene.
Just about everything in the hotel –from the carpets, light fixtures and more – were designed by Hugo Toro, a young Franco-Mexican artist, interior designer and architect, who clearly took some inspiration from luxury trains in the way he designed the many little nooks and seating areas sprinkled throughout the property. The colorways – terracotta and rose marble from Verona – pay homage to the neighboring Pantheon.
The hotel’s rooftop restaurant Gigi gives its guests a bird’s-eye view of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and the Altare della Patria. It’s a glorious place for breakfast – not to mention lunch or dinner sunset viewing.
Our Deluxe king room with balcony was spacious, especially by European standards, and boasted all the five-star amenities, including a gorgeous bathroom with two sinks, walk-in rain shower and a deep soaking tub.
And the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. The owners must have gone to extraordinary lengths to hire the most intelligent, warm and caring workers, led by General Manager Filip Boyen.
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Following our all-too-short stay at La Minerva, it was time to move on to the main attraction: Italy’s first luxury train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express.
A sleek private transfer — included with every booking on the train, whether you stay at La Minerva or not — took us the short distance to Rome Ostiense station, where we were greeted personally at the curb as our bags were whisked away by the train team.
A three-piece combo playing “All of Me” on piano, string bass and clarinet welcomed us to the exclusive lounge — which is an almost-unheard of amenity in the luxury train space (The Blue Train and Rovos Rail have them, but not to this extent.) Waiters and waitresses circulated with fresh-made canapes and beverages. Showers are available at the lounge for guests coming straight from the airport (note: we don’t recommend cutting it so close!).
Soon afterwards, we were summoned trackside. The moment we’d been waiting for was finally here! La Dolce Vita Orient Express arrived at the station right on time.
In a phrase, the train is gorgeous — from the smallest cocktail napkin to the supersized picture windows to the smiles on the staff’s faces. This was the real deal, and we were delighted to be among the first guests to experience it.
Crafted by the Milan design studio Dimore, La Dolce Vita offered a sleek design with bold use of orange, brown, cream — and comfort — with late 20th Century style throughout. Our Suite cabin featured a large double bed, two huge picture windows, ensuite bathroom with large rain shower and luxury bath amenities, and plenty of in-cabin storage: cabinets with shelving, a closet, and more storage under the sofa and bed.
Our attentive butler Alessandro was available for every conceivable need and even helped us unpack our luggage. And did I mention our very fashionable pointy-toed slippers? They were Italian style to the max!
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Meals in the dining car were outstanding. Think tiny mushroom tartlets, beef carpaccio, and lamb encrusted with olive and artichokes, accompanied by delicious Italian wine.
Entertainment in the rear bar car was equally magnificent—the combo from Ostiense Station traveled with us. Both nights on the train, they serenaded us in the rear lounge car, which had turned into a fashionable “club car” of its own.
We will never forget our last night on board, rocking out with one of the best singers we have ever experienced on a train. And the two young instrumentalists were also amazing. Our fellow passengers were from all over the world, and they loved singing and dancing as much as we did.
It was a chic nightclub on wheels.
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Unlike the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, whose signature trip is the continent-spanning Paris-Istanbul journey, La Dolce Vita Orient Express concentrates on journeys solely within Italy – and it operates throughout the year. Guests can choose from eight unique itineraries, all of which are one- to two-nights, and most of which begin and end in Rome. Our itinerary was Rome – Venice – Portofino – Rome.
In Venice, we had dinner at Palazzo Nani Bernardi, the home of a prestigious local family (one guest quipped that this was essentially “Rent-a-Noble.”) The dinner was excellent — asparagus risotto and veal cheek braised in wine. The whole setting was astounding – candles, flowers and music. But it was a challenge getting there in the pouring rain, despite the umbrellas handed out by train staff. On regular departures, special dinners such as these can be added to your booking at additional cost.
The Venice high point for me was walking around San Marco’s Square. On the way, we spotted the “Café Florian,” where Eleanor and I had waltzed many years ago.
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Our second and final stop was Portofino, a small fishing village and tourist resort on the Italian Riviera. From the train station, we were ushered on to a motorboat to enjoy the steep cliffs from the sparkling water of the Ligurian Sea.
Eleanor and I decided to wander through the village, taking time to buy a present or two. We then lunched alfresco right on the water at a tiny restaurant, da I Gemelli, founded in 1850. The fresh seafood and pasta dish was fantastic. The ambience and service stole our hearts so much that we stayed there three hours, watching the world go by.
Even better than the off-train visits was the scenery as seen from the train windows. At times, we marveled at the peaks of the Apennines. Other times we gazed at the Mediterranean Sea. Still other times, we enjoyed views of olive groves, fields and tiny towns with small church spires.
But all too soon, we were back in Rome.
What mattered most – attitude – was of the highest order. Our butler, Alessandro Dulce, from just outside Rome in Castello Gandolfo, personified this: he was friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and professional in every way. He missed no detail from start to finish. His delight with the new train and pride in his new job was palpable.
We hope to return to Alessandro’s dutiful care on one of the train’s other exciting itineraries soon — such as Eternal Stones of Matera for its UNESCO Heritage site cave dwelling; or Rome & Sicily, which crosses the scenic Strait of Messina by ferry and time to explore Taormina.
So congratulations, La Dolce Vita Orient Express and Orient Express La Minerva Hotel. We salute you! And we look forward to sending many passengers your way over the coming years.
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La Dolce Vita Orient Express and Orient Express La Minerva Hotel in Rome are owned by Arsenale SPA and are managed by Orient Express, which in turn is owned by ACCOR and LVMH. The train offers 8 itineraries and operates year-round. For details, please see our website. Contact us to book for 2025 & 2026. Cabins are already sold out for many 2025 departures.
Interested in an adventure on the La Dolce Vita Orient Express? Email us at tourdesk@irtsociety.com. We will set up a brief conversation to be sure this train experience is perfect for you.
