To ensure that its properties remain at the forefront of luxury, the Belmond Group has undertaken the renovation of its entire hotel portfolio. A development that embraces the local heritage and culture.
LOCAL HERITAGE AT THE HEART OF BELMOND'S PROJECTS
To ensure that its properties remain at the forefront of luxury, the Belmond Group has undertaken the renovation of its entire hotel portfolio. A development that embraces the local heritage and culture.
Belmond is an exception in the world of palaces. At the last ILTM Cannes show, the group captured all eyes on one of its train cabins, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, on display at the foot of the steps of the Palais des Festivals.
Belmond, a prestigious hotel group owned by LVMH, has 50 properties in 24 countries and in iconic luxury travel destinations such as Portofino and Anguilla.
To ensure that its properties remain at the forefront of luxury, the group has undertaken the renovation of its entire hotel portfolio.
The DNA of the Belmond brand is a combination of heritage, expertise and authentic service. The challenge is therefore to preserve the soul of each of its establishments during their renovation.
Projects committed to the preservation of local heritage
Belmond has announced the opening in May 2023 of the Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya in Mexico. The renovation of this hotel, designed by the architect Tara Bernerd, is inspired by the geometry of the Mayan masons. To reinforce the authenticity of the place and anchor the hotel in the local heritage, it will honour Mexican know-how and materials.
The Maroma will also host the first Guerlain spa in Latin America. Travellers will experience a holistic retreat, as Guerlain will provide treatments inspired by Mayan philosophy.
Here, the group is committed to the protection of biodiversity by launching the Guerlain "Bee School" experience and supporting the "Women for Bees" initiative, to "protect the Melipona bee, an endangered species of fundamental importance to the ecology of the Yucatán Peninsula". To support local culture, the Maroma will also exhibit the works of four Mexican photographers, dedicated to the Mayan Riviera, at its opening.
In Peru, the Palacio Nazarenas and the Monasterio de Cusco are committed to defending local agriculture. The group will take travellers on an immersion into the local culture, with visits to Q'omer Wasich, to meet the local communities. In addition to enriching exchanges, travellers will taste authentic Peruvian cuisine.
In Brazil, the Belmond Hotel in Rio de Janeiro will celebrate the centenary of the Copacabana Palace. Artistic, gastronomic and cultural events will follow one another during the "#100doCopa". To celebrate this anniversary, the Copacabana Palace Theatre will reopen its doors after a 30-year closure. A two-year renovation project, led by Brazilian architect Ivan Rezende, was necessary to complete this major project. This pharaonic project required the expertise of more than 600 craftsmen in 18 different disciplines, from woodcarvers to carpenters to designers.
In Italy, after the renovation of the Spendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino in 2021, the group is embarking on the renovation of the Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino. The architect Martin Brudnizki will lead this large-scale project. By 2026, all the rooms of this former Benedictine monastery dating from the 16th century will be transformed, and a spa will be created. The work will be carried out during the seasonal winter closures, to gradually reveal the new features.
From next year, guests will be able to discover the refurbished swimming pool, gardens and restaurant as well as the new signature suite.
In addition, the group has just announced that the Romazzino Hotel, located on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia, will open under the name Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel, Costa Smeralda, from the 2024season. "We are delighted to add the Romazzino to our portfolio. We are strengthening Belmond's luxury offering in Italy. This agreement is part of a strategic expansion that will see unique properties join our remarkable collection of experiences, already steeped in history and rich heritage," said Roeland Vos, President and CEO of the group. The hotel will join the collection of eight Belmond Hotels in Italy.
Slow-travel at the heart of development
The group has embraced the 'slow travel' trend for several years now. Belmond has explored alternative accommodation options, such as train carriages and luxury Riverboats.
Six Belmond trains now travel throughout the UK, Europe, Peru and South East Asia, offering authentic and unique experiences to travellers in search of emotions. The Cygnus carriage on the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, has just been refurbished and has benefited from the expertise of filmmaker Wes Anderson to create a unique space.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, will stop next winter at stations such as Albertville, Moûtiers, Bourg Saint Maurice, Rome, Florence and Venice. It has anew category of suite, and unveilseight new Suites, inspired by the craftsmanship of the 1920s and 1930s, have a private marble bathroom and a sitting area during the day that converts to a double or twin bed at night.
To echo the luxury cars, the Belmond group is relying on a river alternative and offering its guests a contemplative discovery of the charms of France and Myanmar. The Coquelicot boat, A Belmond Boat, designed by Humbert & Poyet, will be inaugurated in May 2023, joining the existing fleet of six Belmond barges.
On board, guests will discover three cabins and their bathrooms, as well as a lounge and its customisable Champagne bar. The generous outdoor deck will complete the package.
To make the adventure even more exclusive, Belmond and Ruinart will be offering travellers a private tasting lunch organised by Valérie Radou, Ruinart's chef in residence. This lunch will be combined with guided tours of the historic Taissy vineyard to discover the House's sustainable development initiatives. By associating a prestigious Champagne house with an exclusive sailing experience in Champagne, the Belmond Group is fulfilling its mission as "guardian of a timeless heritage ".
A cultural and gastronomic commitment
Finally, Belmond is pursuing its initiatives to mark its commitment to culture and heritage. The premium art series entitled "Mitico", in partnership with the Galleria Continua art gallery, has been extended internationally. Exhibitions are presented at Copacabana Palace, Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire and La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca.
The group is embarking on a new era, in which gastronomy will play a key role. Renowned chefs already strengthen the brand, such as Riccardo Canella at the Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, Jean Imbert for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and Luke Selby at the Manoir aux Quat'Saisons or Pía León at Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco.
In each of its projects, Belmond takes travellers into a world of luxury, authenticity and chic, and brings them to an encounter with local cultures.
As a journalist and luxury hotel expert inspired by the men and women who embody it, Vanessa aspires to enhance and sublimate the beauty and elegance of palaces through her writing. "In a palace, simplicity serves the quest for excellence" she admires.
