Luxury hospitality providers Belmond have big plans for a big year ahead

Belmond is expecting a “year of transformation” in 2024. The luxury travel company has shared plans for the next year that includes a “selective expansion and enhancement” of its portfolio with more focus on train travel, new experiences and its environmental and social responsibility.

The group ends 2023 marked the acquisition of Hacienda Katanchel, a 17th century estate in Yucatán. With 220 hectares of lush vegetation and history, Belmond intends to create one of Mexico’s most beautiful hacienda hotels. Katanchel, A Belmond Hotel, is set to open in 2027 with 35 independent suites upon completing a comprehensive restoration programme. 

Belmond already operates ten properties in Italy, which #legend is happy to confirm are magnificent having checked out Villa San Michele in Florence and Castello di Casole in the Tuscan countryside earlier this year. In 2024, Belmond will expand to Sardinia with its Romazzino hotel in Costa Smeralda. The beach hotel has 100 guest rooms (including suites and villas), two shimmering blue pools, an array of exceptional restaurants and new experiences set in the heart of Costa Smeralda’s most picturesque coastline. 

Also in Italy, Belmond’s Splendido in Portofino will re-open for the 2024 season with new guestrooms, along with the swimming pool, Splendido Grill restaurant and the Baronessa Suite that have been revealed in 2023. Speaking of Portofino, the #legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will connect the Italian comune with Paris for the first time.

Closer to us in Asia, the Eastern & Oriental Express has appointed Chef André Chiang as its new chef. A big name amongst the culinary circle in Southeast Asia with his two-Michelin-starred eponymous Restaurant André in Singapore, Chef André will oversee every aspect of the dining experience of the two on board restaurants, Adisorn and Malaya. Eastern & Oriental Express is set to return in February 2024 with two seasonal routes out of Singapore that take in the beautiful landscapes of Malaysia.

“Long before experiential travel became a buzzword, Belmond, through our diverse portfolio of hotels, trains, boats and safaris, has offered one-of-a-kind experiences that are rooted in authenticity. With our purpose to perpetuate the legendary art of travel, we will continue to push boundaries,” says Dan Ruff, CEO, Belmond.

“2024 will be a year of transformation as we further seek out remarkable properties, exceptional journeys and experiences, especially to cement our leading position in train travel. We will celebrate local culture, launch new experiences that connect our guests to the art of travel, curate contemporary culture and go even deeper with our environmental and social responsibility efforts.”

Also see: Castello di Casole offers the best of Tuscany