Belmond Ltd. (formerly Orient-Express Hotels Ltd) is a hospitality and leisure company that operates hotels, train services and river cruises and safaris worldwide.[3] In 2024, the company has 47 properties in 28 countries and territories, with 32 hotels, six tourist trains, seven river cruise boats and two safaris.
History
The company was founded in 1976 by the American entrepreneur James Sherwood with the acquisition of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, from the Guinness family for £900,000. Sherwood then bought a number of carriages from the original Orient Express train, which he restored and used to offer rides from Paris and London to his hotel in Venice,[4] thus the former name of the company. Much of the history of the company is documented in Sherwood's memoir Orient Express: A Personal Journey.
On 10 March 2014, Orient-Express Hotels Ltd was renamed Belmond,[5][6][7][8] and on 1 July 2014, Belmond's holding company was also renamed Belmond Ltd.[9]
In April 2015, Belmond partnered with Irish Rail to launch the train Belmond Grand Hibernian in Ireland.[10] In July 2016, Indian Hotels Company Limited sold most of its 5.1% stake in Belmond, retaining only 0.44% after the sale.[11]
In December 2018, the company agreed to be acquired by LVMH[12] in a $3.2 billion transaction which would delist the company from the New York Stock Exchange and make it 100% privately owned.[citation needed] The announcement of the sale led Belmond's share price to increase by 40% in a day.[13] The deal closed in April 2019.[14]
Belmond has continued to grow its portfolio in Italy. In September 2021, it acquired Villa Beatrice in Portofino.[15] In February 2023, the company announced an agreement with Sardegna Resorts S.r.l to manage Romazzino in Sardinia.[16]
It has also added a cluster of new properties in Mexico. In August 2023, Belmond re-opened Maroma following a redesign, in which ten beachfront suites were added.[17] In June 2023 it entered into an agreement with Cora Pacific Development to open Milaroca, a hotel on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, in 2025.[18] In December 2023, the company announced that it had acquired Hacienda Katanchel in Mexico, with a planned opening in 2027.[19]
In December 2022, Belmond announced a ten-year plan to upgrade its properties, which it had already begun with the renovation of Splendido Mare in 2021.[20] Upgrades have included renovations and refurbishments to its trains. In October 2021, Belmond launched a train carriage designed by film director Wes Anderson on the British Pullman train.[21] In 2023, the company also launched a Dior Spa on The Royal Scotsman.[22]
In 2024, the company returned the Eastern & Oriental Express to service, after the train service was paused during the pandemic.[23] The company also launched a Dior Spa aboard, and unveiled a sleeper carriage for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, designed by French street artist JR.[24] The carriage was presented at the 2024 Venice Biennale.[25]
^ abcAll Cusco and Macchu Picchu Hotels are a 50% Joint Venture with Peruvian shareholding company Peru Hotel Macchu Picchu SA (Peru Belmond Hotels SA)
^(since May 2017) In 50% partnership with the Peruvian shareholder company Peruvian Trains and Railways SA
