Rome's Orient Express La Minerva hotel has unveiled the Spa, a new wellness space inspired by Roman baths and Ottoman hammam rituals. Jenny Southan reports

Orient Express La Minerva in Rome has opened a new wellness space called the Spa, designed to reinterpret historic bathing traditions through architecture, ritual and skincare treatments. The facility draws inspiration from both ancient Roman thermal baths and the Ottoman hammam, creating a structured journey through steam, water and restorative therapies.

Designed by artist-architect Hugo Toro, the spa has been conceived as a sequence of immersive spaces that mirror the traditional stages of classical bathing rituals. The experience follows the progression of the tepidarium, calidarium and frigidarium, echoing the format of ancient Roman thermae where visitors move gradually between warm, hot and cold environments.

The tepidarium functions as a temperate area where guests begin to acclimatise, followed by the calidarium, a warmer space combining pools and steam. The experience concludes in the frigidarium, where cold water immersion provides a final invigorating stage. Together these elements form a journey designed to slow the pace of the day while preparing the body for different treatments.

Architecturally, the spa blends materials associated with Roman interiors with details inspired by Ottoman bathing culture. Brown travertine, veined red marble, stained oak and Roman-style plaster create a layered palette of stone, wood and textiles. Hand-blown Murano glass lighting produces a soft glow intended to evoke candlelight.

The central feature of the spa is a marble hammam designed for purification rituals. Small fountains inspired by Triton basins surround the structure, referencing decorative features used throughout the hotel’s guest rooms. Contemporary moucharabieh screens filter light and sightlines, adding to the sense of enclosure and privacy.

Treatment spaces include shared relaxation areas as well as single and double treatment rooms. Canopy beds and woven textiles contribute to what the hotel describes as an atmosphere focused on elemental materials and tactile surfaces.

Among the signature treatments are two multi-stage rituals named Dea Minerva and Stop Constantinople. These experiences combine rose-infused foot baths, aromatic steam, kassa exfoliation, ghassoul clay wraps and foaming massages, followed by facial and hair treatments. The rituals draw on traditional hammam techniques that have evolved over centuries from Byzantium to Istanbul, emphasising water, heat and touch as restorative elements.

The spa’s exclusive skincare partner is Italian brand Furtuna Skin, whose products are used throughout the treatments. The company develops skincare formulas using ingredients grown on its 800-acre organic estate in Sicily, La Furtuna Estate. These include extra-virgin olive oil, wild-foraged botanicals and medicinal herbs cultivated using biodiversity-focused agricultural methods.

Agatha Relota Luczo, founder and CEO of Furtuna Skin, says: “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. 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.”

Specialist treatments developed for the spa include the Furtuna Skin x La Minerva Exclusive Vibrancy Facial, which combines manual massage techniques with tools such as an obsidian Gua Sha. The treatment is designed to stimulate circulation and detoxification while delivering active botanical ingredients to the skin.

In addition to the bathing and treatment areas, the wellness facilities include a gym and a Kinesis room equipped with Technogym Artis equipment and functional training tools. Personal trainers are available on request, with programmes including fitness training, yoga and Pilates tailored to individual goals.