Orient express

COMPANY PROFILE October 2009 Orient-Express, the name behind an elite collection of travel experiences, first came into being in 1883 as one of the world’s most exciting and indulgent train journeys. Today that evocative name also embraces hotels, cruises and other luxury rail adventures in 25 countries, across five continents. The creation of this company has in itself been a fascinating globaljourney: it began as a single property, the Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Founder and Director James B Sherwood acquired this legendary hotel in 1976 and went on to purchase the first two Orient-Express carriages a year later, before scouring Europe to discover others to make up a full train. Each one was painstakingly restored, from the original marquetry to the glamorous Lalique glass panels,before, in 1982, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – returned to splendour - pulled out of London’s Victoria station and headed south for Venice. Today we own, or part-own and manage, 49 businesses. 39 are hotels, including iconic properties such as Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Hotel Ritz Madrid, Mount Nelson in Cape Town, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, TheObservatory in Sydney and Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. There are two restaurants; ‘21’ Club in New York and La Cabaña in Buenos Aires. Six tourist trains include the legendary Venice SimplonOrient-Express in Europe, the Eastern & Oriental Express in South East Asia and The Royal Scotsman. The company also part-owns and manages PeruRail in Peru, which operates, among other routes,the Cusco-Machu Picchu train services used by nearly every tourist to Peru, including the first class Hiram Bingham train experience. The m.v. Road to Mandalay provides luxury cruises on the Irrawaddy River in Burma and Afloat in France operates luxury péniche-hôtels (barges) on the inland waterways of France. Each of these properties is unique and many are destinations in their own right. Yet allare alike in being managed locally, to the highest standards, by staff who regard them as their own properties and are encouraged to innovate and contribute new ideas. Every hotel and train has its own name and personality, and all are in exceptional locations, whether at the heart of a major city, beside a beautiful beach or in peaceful countryside. Many are positioned next to world-famoussights: the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the Amalfi coast, Iguassu Falls, the magnificent temples at Angkor Wat, to name but a few.

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All are very much a part of the environment where they are located, and guests will find each visit an enriching experience, the opportunity to discover more about the world around them. OrientExpress is also highly committed to responsible tourism, and goes togreat lengths to ensure its properties add to their surroundings and have a positive impact on local communities. As a member of the International Tourism Partnership, Orient-Express aims to work together with the people and places around each property in ways that are appropriate to the individual location. Recent Investments • In October 2009, La Résidence d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia, opened itsimpressive Kong Kea Spa in a new wing of the boutique city resort, and eight luxury suites featuring original works of art by an aspiring Cambodian artist. Meaning ‘water for the god’ in Khmer language, the Kong Kea Spa focuses on the healing aspects of water, both visually and physically. • In April 2009, we unveiled 19 additional one-bedroom and three two-bedroom idyllic thatched villas atJimbaran Puri Bali, each with butler service and set in a traditional Balinese garden and courtyard, with a luxurious private swimming pool and a shady teakwood deck where rejuvenating spa treatments can be arranged. • In March 2009, Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana Palace hotel opened a stylish and contemporary 250 sqm Lounge Bar, where fashionable Brazilians and international visitors gather...