Welcome to 
Orient-Express Hotels Worldwide
Orient-Express is an elite collection of hotels, cruises and luxury rail adventures in 25 countries, across five continents. The company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and shortly afterwards recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice.
Today, Orient-Express owns or part-owns and manages 49 businesses, 39 of which are highly acclaimed hotels, each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The company also embraces river cruisers in France and Myanmar, luxury trains in Europe, the Far East and Peru, and the celebrated ’21′ restaurant in New York.
CarlosMeliaBlog.com is proud to introduce you to a select group of Orient-Express properties welcoming the international LGBT Community to their stunning and unique properties, and destinations with open arms. Certainly A Journey Like no other. CM
> Mount Nelson Hotel | Cape Town, South Africa
> The Westcliff | Johannesburg, South Africa
> Hotel das Cataratas | Foz de Iguazu, Brazil
> Copacabana Palace | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
> Casa de Sierra Nevada | San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
> Maroma Resort & Spa | Riviera Maya, Mexico
> La Samanna Resort and Spa | St. Martin, French West Indies
> The Observatory | Sydney, Australia
> Afloat in France | France
> Eastern and Oriental Express | South East Asia
Cape Town, South Africa
Set in the vibrant heart of Cape Town, Mount Nelson Hotel offers easy access to all that’s happening in this dynamic city. Enjoying a superb location at the foot of Table Mountain, and just a short stroll from downtown, Mount Nelson Hotel offers the perfect combination of leafy tranquility and contemporary buzz. Whether dining on exotic Cape cuisine, soaking up the sun on any of the stunning beaches nearby or getting ready to stroll down fashionable Kloof Street, guests have the ideal central base from which to discover this exhilarating city.
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(*) CarlosMeliaBlog.com was there in September 2011. Read my review
Johannesburg, South Africa
Set on a cliffside in a garden estate, The Westcliff has an almost rural air despite being in the city centre. Its swimming pool and private terraces look out over the adjacent zoological gardens where animals can be spotted beneath the trees.
This sets the scene for a safari in Botswana, the next stage of many of its guests’ journeys. Stay at this charming retreat and, as with all Orient-Express hotels, you will be perfectly positioned for all that Johannesburg has to offer, yet cosseted in peace and calm when you so choose.
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(*) CarlosMeliaBlog.com was there in September 2011.
Foz de Iguazu, Brazil
The only hotel located within the Iguassu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas enjoys an unrivalled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls. Guests enjoy exclusive access to this magnificent sight in the evening and at dawn, when the park is closed to other visitors.
A Portuguese-colonial residence, this classic Orient-Express hotel is redolent with the atmosphere of lazy days lounging on a veranda or beneath sub-tropical palms. This natural paradise also offers thrills and excitement in abundance: white water rafting, helicopter trips over the gorge and jungle treks to view amazing wildlife including colourful toucans and giant butterflies.
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Superbly positioned overlooking the sea, this glamorous Orient-Express landmark in Rio has been welcoming the rich and famous since its Art Deco doors swung open in 1923. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced here and the Rolling Stones tuned up in its grand salon before their concert on the beach.
The magnificent pool, with its adjacent super-cool Bar do Copa, are where Brazil’s style setters gather to soak up the sun. The hotel’s restaurants are also destinations in themselves, whether for great local dishes or fine Italian dining in Hotel Cipriani Restaurant.
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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
A cluster of historic buildings at the centre of the city, this charming Orient-Express hotel offers the ultimate Mexican experience. Cool, leafy gardens, stone arches and traditional wooden doors surround pretty courtyards lit by lanterns as night falls.
Peaceful though this is—especially when within the tranquil Laja Spa—just step outside and you are surrounded by San Miguel de Allende’s many colors, scents and sounds.
The hotel has its own cooking school, Sazon, where you can learn to create traditional Mexican treats. To savor the local cooking at leisure there is a choice of two exceptional restaurants.
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Riviera Maya, Mexico
Set among verdant jungle beside a white, sandy beach, Maroma Resort and Spa is pure escapism with a touch of Mayan magic. This Orient-Express paradise is one of the Yucatan’s hidden gems, a haven of well-being where you can start the day with yoga and end with a session in a traditional temazcal sauna.
Just offshore is a spectacular coral reef; the lapis-blue Caribbean stretches to the horizon beyond. Spend lazy days in ocean and poolside restaurants or stroll through flower-filled gardens where parrots and butterflies perch. Explore some of Mexico’s great heritage sites, dive in mysterious underwater caves or shop till you drop in Cancun.
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St. Martin, West French Indies
Set beside St. Martin’s finest beach, lapped by the Caribbean Sea, La Samanna Resort and Spa is the ultimate luxury resort. Constantly ranked among the Caribbean’s top ten hotel retreats, it is a garden paradise in which to enjoy an al fresco massage, or lie in a hammock, lulled by the waves.
As at all Orient-Express hotels, dining out is a real occasion, with wines from the state-of-the-art cellar. Take a sunset cruise around the island or head into town to enjoy the vibrant local scene. There’s always a touch of romance and gaiety in the air: La Samanna is a natural host to weddings and other celebrations.
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Sydney, Australia
Positioned in the heart of Sydney, close by The Rocks, The Observatory Hotel is the ideal base from which to explore Australia’s most vibrant city.
This Orient-Express urban retreat is known for its tranquil, boutique atmosphere, yet offers easy access to Sydney Harbour Bridge and big city action.
The many highlights of a stay include a pampering session in its Day Spa, high tea in its Globe Bar and innovative dining in its celebrated Galileo restaurant.
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France
Discover one of the most relaxing and luxurious ways to explore France—cruising its beautiful canals and rivers in Orient-Express style aboard an Afloat in France barge.
Carrying between four and 12 guests, these five spacious craft are perfect for a group of family or friends. Charter your own barge or reserve a cabin with other guests.
Renowned as among the finest craft plying the European waterways, these exceptional péniche-hôtels take you from great cities to remote landscapes of forests, fields and hidden villages. Gourmet dining on board and visits to local sights are all part of the experience.
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South East Asia
‘Trains are wonderful… to travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns… and rivers, in fact, to see life’ – Agatha Christie
The golden age of travel lives on aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train. Winding through some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic landscapes, it voyages through Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and on into Laos. Mountains, forests, fascinating towns and golden temples create a rich tapestry of life along the way.
This sister train to Europe’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers an equally exciting on-board experience. Enjoy gourmet dining, cocktails in the open-air observation car and special local entertainment as your adventure unfolds.
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MORE INFO All Booking Requests will be replied within 24 hours. You will receive either an email with a formal confirmation or an optional suitable available option, that matches your original request. Please make sure, upon form submission that you receive a Sent Email confirmation. Thank you for your trust and business. Hope you have an enjoyable stay. Carlos Melia
Please do not hesitate to contact CarlosMeliaBlog.com at any time for further enquiries by phone at +1.347.944.0026, email carlos@carlosmelia.com, Skype carlosmelia, FACEBOOK or Twitter.
