Belmond unveils a new category of cabins aboard the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe: eight new suites with a glamorous soul will join the collection from June 2023, taking the luxury and comfort of the original legend on rails to new heights.
Orient-Express Art Deco icon
Combining the two pre-existing categories of cabins, the suites add a new expression of opulence to the train, with rooms imbued with history and curated with the utmost respect to preserve the craftsmanship of the 1920s and 1930s.
Experience the Golden Age of Travel on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express
The two original carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient Express have been restored by expert French craftsmen and designers, who have reinvented the spaces aboard the train while maintaining the look and feel of the Golden Age of Travel. The design immerses guests in an experience that combines the train’s iconic history and modern comfort, a space in constant motion, inspired by the landscapes that unfold in like manner. Original artisanship and historical references are infused into the rich layering of the interiors, celebrating the journey itself and creating a quiet paradise in which to fully enjoy moments of tranquility.
The sumptuous new suites will elevate the train’s existing accommodations to now offer a trio of cabin categories to satisfy every traveler. In addition to the charm of a historic cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the new suites have the added benefit of a private marble bathroom and a lounging area for the day converted to a double bed or two single beds at night.
In the other two existing categories, the epitome of luxury, a Grand Suite has a private bath and shower, double beds that can be converted to twin beds, as well as a sitting area from which to enjoy the delights of private dining experiences available at all hours, and champagne that “flows” without limit. The classic Historic Cabins, meanwhile, are a treasure trove suspended in time, magically transforming from a daytime lounge into comfortable bunk beds for the night.
Journey Through the Suites
The new suites celebrate the enchantment of the landscape as it unfolds through the train windows. Building on this inspiration, French artisans have shaped the influences into four different designs: La Campagne (the countryside), Les Montagnes (the mountains), Les Lacs (the lakes) and La Forêt (the forest).
Paying homage to the exceptional travels of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the suites inspired by La Forêt echo the Black Forest, nestled in the mountainous region of southwest Germany, as in the route taken while traveling from Prague to Paris. From wild to gentle, La Campagne-inspired suites are adorned with vibrant green velvets and intricate floral inlays. Here, the most scenic journeys come to life through design: from the pastures and vineyards of northern Italy to the picturesque landscape of southern France and along the French Riviera.
On the classic train route to Venice, the Arlberg massif in Austria can be seen, and the design of Les Montagnes reflects the imposing surrounding mountain peaks. From land to water, the Les Lacs motif reflects the beauty of the many spectacular lakes along the route, from the Zurgersee in Switzerland to Lake Como in Italy.
Each suite in itself takes guests on a journey to different European settings through magnificent colors, patterns and textures. The lavish fabrics and furnishings come directly from celebrated Art Deco designers such as Majorelle, Dufrene, Leleu, Rousseau, Prou, and Lalique. The interiors are a celebration of European landscapes and the richness of the surrounding nature – from the cultivated plains with their expanses of vineyards, to the ancient forests of central Europe, and on to the continent’s soaring mountain ranges and quiet glacial lakes.