Luxury Travel · LVMH · Est. 1976
Belmond
Journeys that transcend the everyday.
Belmond's story begins in 1976 when James Sherwood, an American entrepreneur, purchased the Cipriani hotel in Venice — one of the most famous hotels in the world. Sherwood recognised that certain travel experiences were irreplaceable: the Cipriani, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, the Maroma in the Yucatán. He began building a collection of such properties under the Orient-Express Hotels brand. In 1977 came his most famous acquisition: the carriages of the original Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the legendary train that had connected London to Istanbul since 1883.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is arguably the most famous train journey in the world. Running between London Victoria and Venice — passing through Paris, Zurich and Innsbruck — the original 1920s and 1930s Pullman and Wagon-Lits carriages were sourced, restored to their original Art Deco magnificence, and put back into service in 1982. Each carriage is an individual masterpiece of marquetry, inlaid wood and brass fittings. Dinner in the dining car — white tablecloths, crystal glasses, a five-course menu — as the Alps pass outside, has become one of travel's defining experiences.
Belmond (the brand was renamed from Orient-Express Hotels in 2014) now operates over 50 properties across 25 countries. Alongside the VSOE, the portfolio includes Hotel Cipriani (Venice), Copacabana Palace (Rio de Janeiro), Reid's Palace (Madeira — in continuous operation since 1891), Maroma (Riviera Maya), La Résidence d'Angkor (Cambodia), and Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu — the only hotel within the national park, with direct access to the citadel before the crowds arrive.
Beyond hotels, Belmond operates luxury trains across multiple continents: the Eastern & Oriental Express through Southeast Asia, the Hiram Bingham (a one-day train to Machu Picchu), the Royal Scotsman through the Scottish Highlands, and river cruises on the Mekong and the River Douro. In 2019, LVMH acquired Belmond for approximately $3.2 billion — the largest hotel acquisition in LVMH history, and one that gave the world's greatest luxury conglomerate its first significant foothold in experiential travel.
A cabin on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice typically begins around $3,000–5,000 per person for a Grand Suite. Hotels such as Cipriani Venice begin around $1,000–1,500 per night. Reid's Palace and Copacabana Palace start around $500–800. Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu is approximately $1,500–2,500 per night.