A BAR WITH SPECTACULAR GREEN BENCHES UNDER GLASS DOMES, A LOUNGE THAT TURNS INTO A COMFORTABLE BEDROOM. CARRIED BY A SEDUCTIVE LITERARY AND CINEMATOGRAPHIC IMAGINATION, 140 YEARS LATER, THE ORIENT EXPRESS REINVENTS ITSELF
After turning it into a brand, which last year launched a range of lifestyle products, the legendary train Orient Express plans to re-run on European rails in early 2025. The subsidiary in charge of promoting the heritage of the famous train that inspired Agatha Christie, aims to become one with the myth and reinvent it with a luxury hotel moving from one capital to another.
Restored by the Accor hotel group, interior designer Maxime d’Angeac has designed the new decor for this iconic train, highlighting the expertise of France’s best craftsmen. Composed of 17 cars, the plush suites, all with rounded lines, will be adorned with leather and equipped with headboards scaled with wood embroidery, mother-of-pearl and bronze beads, Art Deco lighting fixtures, carpeting with “comet” motifs and marble bathrooms.
The new train Nostalgie will of course follow the historic route of the Orient-Express, which linked Paris to Constantinople/Istanbul from 1883 to 1977 (with interruptions during the two world wars). But not only that: a mysterious ride is also is in the forecast.
This will be the third version of the Orient-Express, after the first generation – end of the century – of 1880 and the second – art deco -of 1920. With a décor that pays tribute to its elders while being extremely contemporary and equiped with modern comforts.
The subsidiary is to launch “Orient Express La Dolce Vita”, another luxury train that will travel around Italy from 2024. It will take over Trenitalia’s cars from the 1970s, obviously redesigned to become luxurious mobile hotels.
Two very beautiful hotels are also due to reopen under the Orient Express label, in Rome and Venice, before moving to Riyadh.
Long before that, the new design of the Orient Express will be presented, along with archival documents, in an exhibition from October 17 to 21 at the Domus Maubourg in Paris.
Another option is to go to Miami, from November 30 to December 5, during Design Week.
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