Sleep aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’s L’Observatoire suite, where luxury, adventure, and creativity shape an exclusive slow-travel experience
Imagine yourself sprawled out on a comfortable cocoon-like day bed, listening to a vinyl record and reading a novel while snow-capped Alps glide by outside. You could be a character from an Agatha Christie or Ian Fleming story.
Either way, you are in the most exclusive and luxurious sleeper carriage in the world, designed by acclaimed artist JR for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express—the Orient Express, a train that has captivated literature and cinema, inspiring dreams at the mere mention of its name.
This new suite, named L’Observatoire, will welcome its first lucky passengers starting next March, and is the first to be entirely designed by an artist.
Starting in 2025, L'Observatorie will become a luxurious suite carriage on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, offering travellers an unforgettable onboard experience. Photo courtesy of the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The name is inspired by astronomical observatories and the cabinet of curiosities from Renaissance Europe. The carriage embodies the essence of JR’s Parisian art studio, featuring personal “objets d’art” or keepsakes that can be uncovered throughout this “studio on wheels.”
Now, about the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. If you’re not already familiar with it, here’s a brief overview. The journey began in 1977 when British entrepreneur James B. Sherwood acquired a collection of historic train carriages at auction and envisioned transforming them into a luxury train. His search across Europe for similar carriages led to the creation of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which first set off in 1982, transporting passengers from northern France to Venice. Today, this train combines the atmosphere of the 1920s with all modern comforts, continuing to traverse Europe and reaffirming that the most luxurious way to travel is indeed aboard vintage luxury trains.
The Most Exciting 24 Hours of Your Life
In this exceptional 31-square-metre carriage named L’Observatoire, every detail is designed to ensure that the 24 hours guests spend on board are truly unforgettable.
The furniture at L’Observatoire has been created by globally acclaimed artisans. Photo courtesy of the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The furnishings have been meticulously designed by internationally renowned artisans, such as Atelier Philippe Allemand, who created the marquetry that adorns the walls, and Michael Mayer, a specialist in stained glass.
In this mobile apartment, time flows to the rhythm of a “dolce vita”, offering guests a blend of relaxation, culture, and entertainment. Tea time is enjoyed in a hidden little room, surrounded by hundreds of Gallimard books, creating a veritable library of titles. For anyone seeking an unforgettable bathing experience on the most celebrated luxury train journey, an art deco-style free-standing bathtub stands prominently in front of a stained-glass window decorated with a stylised tree.
You can fall asleep watching the stars through a porthole in the ceiling, which can be opened at will while you lie down.
A Treasure Hunt on Board
The artist has always had a special connection with trains. It was in the subway cars that took him from the suburbs to Paris that he began his career, exhibiting his collages and murals along the way.
In this suite of the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, JR envisioned a miniature train, running on a track hidden behind an alcove with a fireplace—a secret shelter that evokes the memories of hiding in a childhood hut. This moving toy train carries enigmatic messages for an intrepid traveller to decipher.
Details from the L'Observatoire suite aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Photo courtesy of the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
JR has imagined a treasure hunt with clues hidden among the books and caches throughout the carriage. The prize, which is closely related to the artist, is very difficult to find. “It will be necessary to show dedication and wit in the search; the carriage is full of secret hiding places,” says JR.
The Art of Slow-Travelling
Aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, travellers are enveloped in a fairy-tale ambience that creates a sense of timelessness.
“It’s the only train in the world that makes passengers happy when it arrives late,” quips Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains and Cruises for the Belmond Group, which has been operating the legendary train since 1982.
In the L'Observatoire suite, the space can be transformed into a private dining area. Photo courtesy of the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
In this environment, the journey is what truly matters, not the destination. It’s about the art of slow travel: savouring every moment, avoiding the rush, and indulging in the pleasures offered by the train and its luxurious suites. Amid the many delightful moments, the culinary ones take pride of place: in the L’Observatoire suite, the space can be transformed into an intimate dining area for up to five guests, offering travellers the opportunity to share in a truly exclusive experience.
One highlight is the new L’Observatoire suite, where you can transform the space into a private dining area for up to five guests, enabling travellers to invite guests for an exclusive experience.
On the iconic train with its blue and gold carriages, you travel through a landscape of emotions—an experience that is truly priceless. That said, spending a night in L’Observatoire comes with a starting price of €80,000. For those unable to afford it, the enduring allure of legend remains... along with the timeless appeal of Agatha Christie’s bestselling novel, which never loses its charm.
Silvia Manzoni
Journalist, Paris