Orient Express expands beyond rails to luxury hotels and yachts

New glamour for trains

After being acquired by Accor, the brand is embarking on a new era, seamlessly weaving heritage with innovation. Orient Express is now redefining the global travel landscape through a trilogy of experiences: Hotels, Trains, and Sailing Yachts. Accor wants however to preserve the mystic of Orient Express. It must retain its status of a symbol of travel at its most poetic, refined, and transformative.

What began as innovation in luxury train travel is now expanding into a full universe of experiences: trains, luxury hotels and sailing yachts.

The iconic Orient Express train is now set to return, re-engineered by French artisans and craftmen. By mid-2026, the train will then invite travelers to relive the legend aboard 17 original Orient Express cars.

Dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, they will be adorned with exceptional decor – a set of cars formerly known as the ‘Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express.’ Rosewood, Lalique lamps and marble will be part of the experience…

Meanwhile, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, now running in Italy, celebrates the brilliance of Italian designers from the 1960s through curated journeys.

The essence of luxury for the hotels

But the transformation goes beyond the rails. The brand’s first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, opened recently in Rome. Award-winning artist-architect Hugo Toro restored the 17th-century palazzo. The 93 rooms and suites blend historical elements with art deco and contemporary design. “In Rome, we reimagine the legacy of Orient Express with new purpose,” said Gilda Perez-Alvarado, CEO of Orient Express.

Next on the list is the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli Orient Express in Venice. The superb structure dates from the 15th century. A major transformation occurred 300 years later in Neo-gothic style. Planned to open its doors on April 1, 2026, the 47 rooms and suites will combine elegant contemporary luxury adorned with art deco details and Murano glass accents.

And now the sailing yachts!

In 2026, the journey continues at sea. The Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing yacht, will become a floating symbol of sustainability and luxury. Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno will oversee its culinary direction. The boat took the sea at the end of July.

Its 54 suites yacht will make its debut in October 2026 sailing from Lisbon to Barbados. It will then offer cruises from October to March in the Caribbean. Bookings are now open.

Another luxury yacht, the Orient Express Olympian, will follow in 2027.

Rendering of the pool on the Orient Express Corinthian yacht (Photo: Accor)

Luxury Orient Express is part of Accor’s leading collection of luxury brands. With the idea of rejuvenating a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine-dining sectors.

Orient Express repositioning comes from a 2024 strategic partnership between Accor and LVMH. The latter looks at accelerating the development of Orient Express, with the ambition of attracting a new generation of premium travelers.