You never know who you're going to meet. It's a great place to do business'

Hannah Brandler catches up with Gilda Perez-Alvarado about the ambitious transformation of the iconic Orient Express brand

- GILDA PEREZ-ALVARADO

SINCE ITS LAUNCH in 1883, the Orient Express’ iconic sleeper trains have been a symbol of luxury and aspiration; topping travellers’ bucket lists, inspiring Agatha Christie novels and prompting copycat carriages along the way.

The appetite for luxury trains is as strong today as ever, thanks to the growing demand for ‘slow travel’, sustainability and experiential trips.

While the original iteration ceased operations in 2009, French hospitality giant Accor acquired the brand in 2022 to revive it for a new generation of travellers. Last year, Accor also teamed up with LVMH to further boost its luxury development. (Note that this is a separate entity to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, owned by Belmond.)

That’s where Gilda Perez-Alvarado comes in: leading the charge on Orient Express’ transformation from exclusive rail journeys to a high-end hospitality brand on land and at sea, while also combining a century’s worth of heritage with a modern vision.

The monumental project kicked off in April with two launches: the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train in Italy as well as the brand’s first hotel – the 93-room La Minerva in Rome, housed within the 17th-century Palazzo Fonseca. There's more to come next year, with the opening of Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice in August, and the launch of the world's largest sailing yacht, The Corinthian - complete with 54 suites, five restaurants helmed by chef Yannick Alléno, plus wellness entertainment areas. Setting sail in June 2026, itineraries will cover the Mediterranean and Caribbean.