Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Routes

While its signature route between London and Venice remains ever popular, destinations have extended across Europe to include everywhere from Vienna to Verona and Paris to Prague. Perhaps trace the train’s inaugural journey on a five-night trip between Paris and Istanbul to stop off for a private tour of Budapest’s grand history alongside visits to Romanian castles and Bulgarian countryside lunch stops. It’s also worth noting that many routes are available in reverse.

Accommodation

Historic Cabin

During the day, your cabin acts as a comfortable lounge with a large banquette sofa, footstool and small fold out table. There is a washbasin stylishly hidden away in its own cabinet. While, you enjoy a sumptuous dinner in one of the dining cars and drink cocktails in the bar car, your cabin steward will convert your compartment into a cosy sleeping space with upper and lower berths, complete with crisp white linen. Bathrobes, slippers and luxury amenities by Temple Spa are provided.

Suite

For a shot of additional luxury take a Suite, new for 2023. Featuring an en-suite bathroom – all decadent marble and Venetian glass – they bridge the gap perfectly between the Historic Cabins and the ultra-luxury Grand Suites, detailed below. Of course, you can expect all the usual touches, from art-deco flourishes to polished wood and exquisite marquetry. Suites come with a choice of double or twin beds, which convert into a lounge for daytime relaxation.

Grand Suite

These incredibly spacious suites bring a new level of luxury to the already opulent train. For the first time, and in a welcome departure from the faithful reproduction elsewhere, each Grand Suite includes a private en suite bathroom with showers, sinks and toilet, as well as a double bedroom and a sizeable living area. Named after thecities most associated with the train, these suites are designed in keeping with the general Art Deco motif but draw on their namesake’s associations; chic haute couture flourishes, renaissance design, Venetian-style glass lamps, grand Baroque touches and opulent embroidered pillows and rugs that echo the Grand Bazaar can all be seen. Grand Suite guests will also be treaterd to complimentary caviar on arrival and free-flowing champagne in the suite at all times. 

Dining

Dining aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an experience in itself. Exceptional European cuisine is prepared on the train by a team of skilled chefs with fresh ingredients taken on board at stops. Think three-course lunches and four-course dinners of lobsters from Brittany and saltmarsh lamb from Mont St Michel. The train features three beautifully restored 1920s restaurant cars each with its own delightful ambience. There’s the L’Oriental with its black lacquer, Côte d’Azur’s Lalique glass and Etoile du Nord’s delicate marquetry. You’ll also enjoy refined refreshments in your cabin with traditional afternoon teas accompanied by glasses of sparkling wine.

Facilities

The Bar Car – built in France in 1931 – was based out of the Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris. Today, its Art Nouveau interior hosts guests for coffee or cocktails to be enjoyed to the mellifluous background of the resident pianist. And, with a new bar car unveiled in 2016, its new aesthetics are more evocative of a luxury rail experience than ever. Elsewhere, you’ll find the Art Deco interior of the exclusive Champagne Bar equally welcoming as Laurent Perrier Rosé and Louis Roederer Cristal are served, perfectly chilled, in exquisite crystal.