Orient Express La Dolce Vita

Words: Catherine Martin

Ever since Accor entered into a strategic partnership with SNCF Group to develop the Orient Express brand, the hospitality world has waited with bated breath to see how the venture would play out. Accor – having acquired a 50% stake – would bring competence in luxury hotel development while SNCF would provide expertise in rail engineering, with both committed to protecting the heritage of the iconic brand.

At the time, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, commented: “We are delighted with this strategic partnership, which today cements the alliance of two major French players in the world of travel for a shared purpose, that of giving fresh impetus and international standing to an historic and world-renowned brand. Thanks to this partnership, our customers will be able to enjoy a prestigious range of services and exceptional experiences based on a portfolio of luxury brands.”

In the years since, Accor has announced that the first static Orient Express hotels would open in Rome and Venice in 2024, but little was known of the future of the train component, which established the name back in 1883. Now, 150 years since Georges Nagelmackers launched the first Orient Express train, Accor has revealed that the brand will return to the tracks for an unforgettable journey.

Developed in partnership with Arsenale Group – a real estate company with various interests in hospitality – the rail tourism project will welcome its first passengers in 2023, with six trains set to travel across Italy, taking in city and countryside, from the Dolomites to the Lakes. Three dedicated routes will also connect destinations further afield, including Paris, Istanbul and Split.

Named La Dolce Vita, each train will comprise 11 carriages housing suites and public spaces, with Milanbased Dimorestudio appointed to design the interiors. The overarching concept pays tribute to La Dolce Vita, a period of glamour, joie de vivre and artistic fervour in Italy during the 1960s. In developing their scheme, Dimorestudio sought to combine this era with a ‘made in Italy’ spirit, all while honouring the heritage of the Orient Express brand. “The design project of Orient Express La Dolce Vita was conceived to embody a flawless and understated balance between historical and contemporary, without losing its authenticity,” say Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, Dimorestudio’s founders. “The spaces are thoughtfully designed and well-curated without being ostentatious. Every element should feel like it has always belonged there, to create a sense of sophisticated depth and visual weights that can be interpreted as layers of exclusiveness. The subtle details complement each other and flow effortlessly.”

The train’s handsome livery introduces a palette of navy blue and rich brown, with brass accents adorning the window frames. Inside, the aesthetic is inspired by the Golden Age

The design scheme marries bold lacquered surfaces with smoked antique mirrors and heritage lamps

of the 1950s, 60s and 70s and the works of Italian greats such as Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani. Across the 12 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Suites and one Honour Suite – accommodating a total of 62 passengers – the design scheme marries bold lacquered surfaces with meticulous attention to detail extending to finishes and decorative elements. The Deluxe Cabins feature a sofa that unfolds to a double bed at night along with ottomans that serve as both coffee tables and seats, while Suites are presented as master bedrooms equipped with a sofa and two armchairs around a table. Smoked antique mirrors increase the perception of space, as do the large windows framed by curtains made using Dimoremilano fabrics. The furnishings range in colour from warm terracotta to a deep violet, with heritage lamps by the Great Masters completing the ensemble.

Alongside the accommodation, additional carriages are dedicated to dining and relaxation. The lounge car features undulated seating along the perimeter, where guests can sit back and enjoy a drink from the bar, while the restaurant cabin is decorated in a glossy sage lacquer, enriched by wall lamps that cast a soft glow across the space. For the fare, Accor has revealed it will collaborate with chefs and sommeliers – both local and international – to showcase ‘made in Italy’ cuisine and wines.

The full La Dolce Vita experience will also include an overnight stay at one of the new Orient Express hotels, while the executive lounge at Rome’s Termini station – a central hub for all itineraries – will undergo refurbishment. Both initiatives align with the ongoing ambition of traditional hotel groups to widen their scope and take in the entire travel experience.

For Accor, the venture serves as an opportunity to broaden its horizons beyond static hotels, as well as uniting with a brand that has a long history of luxury hospitality. “At Accor, we consider it an immense privilege to re-launch the historic Orient Express brand for passionate and discerning travellers,” concludes Bazin. “These trains offer a new vision of luxury travel that is beyond our imagination. Our association with Arsenale Group has opened up new horizons in perfect harmony with the heritage and philosophy of Orient Express, and marks our constant desire to keep moving forward.”