Latest news with #JamesSherwood
Elle
4 days ago
- Business
- Elle
Inside the Reopening of Italy's Stunning Splendido Hotel
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Villa Beatrice sits perched atop a cliff, with a 180-degree view of one of the most stunning, secluded settings imaginable. Turn to the right, and you see the Bay of Portofino. Look left, and it's the Bay of Paraggi. The restored former palazzo, which is set within a national park and has private access to the sea, will be available to rent beginning this July for the first time in its 112-year history. It's the only accommodation of its kind for the hospitality group Belmond, which specializes in resorts, trains, river cruises, and safari lodges that recapture the glamour of an earlier era of travel. Belmond, which was acquired by LVMH in 2019, got its start in 1976, when James Sherwood, the company's original owner, purchased the Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Soon after, he bought two original Orient Express sleeping cars at auction. Air travel had cut into the popularity of luxury trains, and Sherwood was able to get the pair for $113,000, according to The New York Times. He soon collected additional cars, and his revamped Orient Express took to the rails in 1982. Since then, the Belmond group has expanded to include train lines in Europe, Asia, and South America; hotels like Maroma on the Riviera Maya and Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Palace; and seven river cruises. What connects them all is an emphasis on slow travel, amazing experiences, and classic design. Up the road from the Villa Beatrice is Splendido, a 16th-century Benedictine monastery-turned-52-room hotel, which opens for the summer season this month with a new Dior spa—the first in Italy—and a redesigned main building and cocktail bar. 'We haven't done anything crazy. We applied the modernity, but with respect for the past,' says Alfonso Pacifico, the hotel's general manager and Belmond's area managing director of Portofino. Belmond's properties are routinely restored and revitalized; in July, the group will unveil the Britannic Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train to tour England and Wales. Next on the list is Florence's Villa San Michele, which will reopen in 2026 after a renovation that helped conserve historical elements of the former monastery and redesigned the hotel's suites. Hotel Cipriani is set for an ambitious renovation led by famed architect and designer Peter Marino. 'The first approach is to understand the location and the existing history behind [the property],' says Ons Gherib, senior vice president of design and construction at Belmond, of the company's process for restoring hotels. The architecture and design teams examine the records of who lived and stayed at the property, and study the history, architecture, and types of craftsmanship used in its original construction. For train design, the bar is set even higher: Only pre-1945 technology is used. 'Trains push the know-how and the craftsmanship to a level that is absolutely unknown,' Gherib explains. 'There's real craftsmanship, to the smallest detail. Every detail is drawn, designed, and thought of in a very small scale, which is absolutely stunning.' The restorations can lead to delightful surprises. During the renovation of Villa Beatrice, the ceiling was removed to reveal the original, which was beautifully hand-painted. 'We really try to understand what was there and try to enhance it—bring it back to life and keep it alive.' A version of this story appears in the May 2025 issue of ELLE. GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF ELLE
India.com
03-05-2025
- India.com
World's most luxurious train has fare of more than Rs 4 lakh, not Maharajas' Express, Belmond British Pullman, Golden Eagle, it is…, runs from…
World's most luxurious train: Today, the rail network around the world is among the best transportation systems. Trains have seen significant development. Where there used to be only seating, trains now offer an experience akin to traveling in a moving hotel. Sitting in these trains feels like you are journeying from a place resembling a palace. You may have heard and read about many luxury trains, but today we are going to tell you about a luxury train that is ultra, mega, and super luxury, all rolled into one. This is a train that allows you to comfortably view the world during your journey. Let's learn more about this train. This is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a private luxury train service operating from London to Venice and other European cities. Currently, the train is owned by Belmond. It was established in 1982 by James Sherwood from Kentucky, USA. The first London-Venice train was run on May 25, 1982. Facilities available on the train The Venice Simplon Orient Express is perhaps the most famous luxury train in the world, featuring lavish coaches built in the 1920s, marble bathrooms, 24-hour butler service, and complimentary champagne for passengers. This train travels to major European cities like London, Paris, Venice, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. The amenities available on the Venice Simplon Orient Express are exceptional, but it's worth noting that the facilities on this train are comparable to those of India's Maharajas' Express, which is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC). Fare of Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train The fare of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train can go up to Rs 406,479.54 rupees per journey. If you want to travel on this luxury train, you can follow the instructions provided on the website to book your ticket. When compared to Maharajas' Express, the most expensive ticket is for the Presidential Suite, which costs approximately Rs 2,101,619.51 rupees per trip.
India.com
27-04-2025
- India.com
World's most expensive train has ticket worth millions, it runs in..., not US, UK, UAE, Europe, name is...
(Representational image: World's most expensive train: How far can you think and imagine luxury and opulence can go? Ultra, mega, or super and beyond. There are a few things that are more mechanical, controlled by motors and physics from the inside but are pure artistry from the outside. They are capable of giving jolts to even the most seasoned connoisseurs of luxuriousness. For example, the entity we are going to talk about here is one such product that is more about metal as it uses its wheels to run on tracks. It is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), a private luxury train service from London to Venice and other European cities. It is currently owned by Belmond. It was established in 1982 by James Sherwood of Kentucky, United States. On 25 May 1982, the first London–Venice run was made. The Venice Simplon Orient Express is perhaps the most famous luxury train in the world that features restored coaches from the 1920s, with marble-clad ensuite bathrooms, 24-hour butler service and free-flowing champagne. This train goes to major European cities like London, Paris, Venice, Prague, Budapest, and Vienna. The cost per trip is Rs 4,06,479.54. But there is one train that is much ahead of the Venice Simplon Orient Express and that is India's Maharajas Express which is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The most expensive ticket on the Maharaja Express is for the Presidential Suite, which is about Rs 21,01,619.51 per trip. It offers luxurious amenities, beautiful decor, and stunning views of historic and natural destinations. The duration of one trip is 6 nights, offering a luxurious experience with private butlers, Michelin-star dining, and palace-like suites. Maharajas Express operates different itineraries from October to April of which two are short-term Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra) tours and the others are week-long Pan-India voyages. Maharajas' Express gives its passengers an authentic feel and essence of royalty. It was voted 'The World's Leading Luxury Train' seven times in a row at The World Travel Awards from 2012 through 2018. Maharajas' Express also received recognition from the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Travel Award in 2022. Maharajas' Express offers a vivid glimpse of heritage, legacy, comfort, luxury and extravagant indulgence making your journey an amazing experience. The air-conditioned ambient provides full comfort. Suites with attached bathrooms that are Wi-Fi-enabled so that you have your personal space for hygienic purposes and making sure that you are never out of touch. There are separate cars with astonishing restaurants and bars and carriages that are inspired by the royal lifestyle. Maharajas' Express makes sure you get an unforgettable experience. With accommodation options ranging from deluxe to presidential suites, the train offers a lounge, a bar, and two restaurants—Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal, with a hand-painted fresco ceiling. (Disclaimer: All information provided here has been collated from the most reliable sources. However, we strongly recommend that you check and verify the latest status for any updates.)
