30 DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON
30 DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON THE RADAR In the Know Evermore opulent ways to explore the world by rail, iconic architectural gems reborn as hotels and chic new resorts on sunkissed beaches. Here’s a look at the hottest developments in travel. By Claudia Roelke Return to the Rails The Golden Age of train travel has become a sort of sepiatinted fantasy featuring white-gloved servers, gold-buttoned conductors and mahogany dining-car booths where women don their finest furs as they sip champagne and watch the world as it unfurls before them. So appealing, in fact, is this vision that purveyors around the world are increasingly indulging in not only recreating rail travel’s sumptuous yesteryear, but throwing in a few 21st-century updates to enhance the journeys. On Belmond’s historic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (belmond.com), for instance, a trio of new Grand Suites channel the heritage spirit and are respectively themed after Paris, Venice and Istanbul, three of the train’s most notable stops. Double beds, private bathrooms with showers and a personal cabin steward are joined by the spare-noexpense Art Deco décor created by design studio Wimberly Interiors, the firm behind Shanghai’s Bellagio and LA’s Four Seasons, among others. The sinks were created by a traditional glassblower; mosaics of onyx, Venetian granite and marble were constructed by internationally acclaimed artist Jérôme Clochard; a master cabinetmaker layered thousands of exotic woods to create stunning marquetry panelling; and there are embossed leathers and fine silks throughout. The opulence continues, on an even grander scale, on the Trans-Siberian route of Golden Eagle Luxury Trains The legendary Trans-Siberian Express wends its way through Russia’s vast interior; below: the new Istanbul Grand Suite on the Venice Simplon- Orient-Express (goldeneagleluxurytrains. com), which now features the lavish Romanov Suite that, in true royal style, comprises an entire carriage, with two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, private chef and personal attendant. To date, it’s likely the most indulgent way to undertake the scenic journey across Russia’s remote interior from Moscow to Vladivostock. Developments in Japan’s thriving rail scene are only slightly less plush: the 17 suites on the recently debuted Train Suite Shikishima (jreast.co.jp/shikishima/en), which traverses the lush landscapes of the country’s east, are replete with luxuries, from hinokicypress-wood soaking tubs to a glass fireplace, not to mention a personal butler and French restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Katsuhiro Nakamura. FROM TOP: ANDREW GREGORY, © BELMOND
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: FEDERICO GARCIA, ANDREW GREGORY, © L’OSCAR Similarly, the Royal Express (the-royalexpress. jp) lives up to its name: while the journey from Yokohama to the Izu Peninsula is just three hours, the experience proves memorable with cuisine by elBulli-alum Chikara Yamada and live music performances. Beyond the regal sensibilities of Eurasia, the scene Down Under puts the focus on adventure over opulence. On Great Southern Rail’s (greatsouthernrail.com.au) Indian Pacific Train taking the Perth-Sydney route, the bicoastal itinerary has added a fresh new off-train excursion in the Unescolisted Blue Mountains, where striking scenery from the dramatic Katoomba Falls to the majestic Three Sisters rock formation await. It’s luxury of a different kind – and one no less captivating. Hotels of the Season The summer brings with it a fresh gust of heritage hotels. London’s 39-key L’oscar (loscar.com) is housed in a former Baptist church in Bloomsbury, paying homage with its appellation to writer Oscar Wilde. Dating from the early 20th century, the space has been reimagined by designer Jacques Garcia (of NoMad and La Mamounia fame) who has added richly decorated fabrics and dimly lit spaces to the listed building. The University Arms, Cambridge (universityarms.com) reemerges after a £80m refit overseen by Martin Brudnizki (see page 41): the result is an academic, old-England vibe interspersed with whimsical modern touches. A 13th-century wine estate in France’s Sauternes region, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (chateau-lafaurie-peyraguey. com) is reborn as an überelegant hotel with 13 guest rooms and an eatery by chef Jérôme Schilling. In Paris, the 118-year-old Lutetia (hotellutetia.com) makes a grand re-entrance with 184 updated rooms and a holistic wellness centre. Its iconic Brasserie has also returned, now helmed by culinary royalty: Michelin darling Clockwise from top: a tranquil iving area at Iguazú; the Royal Express makes its way across the Yuzu Peninsula; outside London’s L’oscar Gérald Passédat. Removed from the bustle of the city, the scene further afield beckons with a spate of standout debuts that encourage rest and relaxation. Eco-resort Zuri Zanzibar (zurizanzibar. com) adds to the African island’s au courant allure with 55 bungalows, villas and suites with endless ocean views and locally inflected decor, a tranquil spice garden and seven wildly diverse dining and drinking venues. Amid lush pine forest in the Peloponnese World Heritage Site of Mystras, the restorative offerings at Euphoria Retreat (euphoriaretreat.com) include spa treatments based on an intriguing mix of ancient Greek and Chinese medicinal traditions. Across the world on the rainforested banks of a river in Argentina’s Misiones, Iguazú (awasiguazu.com) lures with 14 sun-filled guest rooms, a jungle-to-plate restaurant and a series of eco-adventures designed by renowned biologists. Finally, a swish new resort has landed on the shores of Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach. Next to 43 commodious suites (as well as nine villas available for purchase), Silversands Grenada (silversandsgrenada. com) also boasts a 100m pool – the Caribbean’s longest – a beach club and seafood plucked straight from the sea. DEPARTURES 31
