If you’re keeping an eye on all things luxury train travel, then you’ve probably heard that the Accor hospitality group is reviving 17 of the original Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express carriages after discovering them in Poland. The company commissioned French interior designer Maxime d’Angeac to bring the train back to its former glory. And after unveiling the sumptuous designs for the bar, restaurant, suites, and corridors earlier this year, Accor today released a look at the interiors of the Presidential Suite.
Maxime d’Angeac & Martin Darzacq for Orient Express, Accor
"The Presidential Suite is the ultimate expression of the future Orient Express — the pinnacle of extreme luxury and ultimate comfort. A full train car, it's an expansive private journey, at once theatrical and timeless, for the most discerning traveler — the definition of sublime refinement," d'Angeac told Travel + Leisure.
Maxime d’Angeac & Martin Darzacq for Orient Express, Accor
Maxime d’Angeac & Martin Darzacq for Orient Express, Accor
Inspired by art deco pioneers Jacques-Émie Ruhlmann and Armand-Albert Rateau, the 592-square-foot space boasts a private entrance, a bedroom with a bathroom, a living room, a secondary sleeping car, and an office, dedicated to "pleasure, escape, and reflection," according to a statement released by Accor. Custom furnishings upholstered in rich velvet, Lalique panels, and a gas fireplace are some of the interior highlights of the opulent suite. Travelers will also find plenty of original features that have been masterfully restored, such as Nelson and Prou marquetry, solid mahogany detailing, and historical motifs.
"The Orient Express — the legend — is not easy to reimagine. It is quite the technical challenge. When beginning the project, we set out to create an experience that transcends time and trends, a décor that balances past and present, with thoughtfulness in each detail handcrafted by the finest French artisans. It's only with great care and precision that we've arrived here," d'Angeac added.
Maxime d’Angeac & Martin Darzacq for Orient Express, Accor
Maxime d’Angeac & Martin Darzacq for Orient Express, Accor
If you're in Miami for the 18th edition of the Design Miami fair, which runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, stop by the Orient Express' immersive VR installation showcasing the interiors of the train, slated to make its inaugural trip in 2025.
Accor is working on several other Orient Express–branded hospitality projects — two hotels will open their doors in Rome and Venice in 2024, and a third one, in Saudi Arabia, will welcome guests in Riyadh as part of the new Diriyah Gate Development.
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