BELMOND announces 2026 novelties across its hotels and trains

Belmond continues to elevate its global portfolio, guided by the ethos of Slow Luxury, inviting guests to discover a new pace of travel as they savour time, engage with local culture, and connect with nature and people.

In 2026, the brand will present new rail experiences and the reimagining of global heritage icons that have shaped the cultural imagination of modern journeying and define the spirit of their destinations – from a Florentine Renaissance masterpiece to a Carioca Art Deco legend. Through Belmond’s long-term stewardship, storied properties are thoughtfully reinterpreted by today’s most compelling creative talents, while regional cultures and local environments are honoured and celebrated, forging a contemporary heritage of lasting significance. Belmond will also strengthen its immersive signature journeys, built on the pioneering pairing of legendary hotels and heritage rail experiences.

Dan Ruff, CEO, Belmond, comments: “We continue to strengthen our distinctive global portfolio, celebrating the vibrancy of each property’s Slow Luxury identity and driven by our passion for crafting the future of legendary travel. By skilfully reimagining our hospitality icons, we build contemporary heritage that blends relevance with legacy. Through exceptional journeys, mindful experiences, and new spas and restaurants, we further nurture a deeper appreciation for taking time to truly connect with each destination.”

VILLA SAN MICHELE: FLORENCE’S MOST LEGENDARY RETREAT MAKES ITS MUCH-ANTICIPATED RETURN AND UNVEILS IT FIRST-EVER SPA – APRIL 2026

An emblem of Renaissance architecture and a peaceful sanctuary with the most iconic view of Florence, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel reopens on 28 April 2026 following a meticulous 18-month renovation led by Florentine architect Luigi Fragola. Inspired by its storied heritage and idyllic hillside setting, the reimagination sees an emphasis on Tuscan craftsmanship, cultural curation and harmony with nature. The former 15th century monastery with its cascading gardens spanning nearly 10,000 sqm reveals 39 completely redesigned suites and rooms exuding indulgence and grandeur.

Executive chef Alessandro Cozzolino will introduce a new culinary voyage through Tuscan flavours. Long a place of spiritual wellbeing and mindful living, the property will proudly introduce its first-ever spa, Villa San Michele Spa by Guerlain, along with nature-immersive experiences and an energy-raising programme led by La DoubleJ founder JJ Martin. Marking the next era, the hotel will now open from spring through winter – an invitation to embrace slow luxury year-round.

COPACABANA PALACE: A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE CARIOCA LEGEND –  NOVEMBER 2026

Following its centenary in 2023, the legendary Copacabana Palace will enter a landmark chapter in November 2026 with the renovation and reinvention of its Pool Wing and pool area. The Pool Wing is the hotel’s Art Deco building, originally launched in 1948, overlooking the iconic blue pool and expansive lounging terrace, the vibrant social heart of the hotel. A meticulous redesign will introduce interiors inspired by Brazil’s rich inland artistry, materials and artisanal techniques, infusing the Carioca legend with a renewed sense of place, cultural cachet, and Brazilian creativity.

The transformed wing will become an all-suite experience, with every suite featuring a balcony, and most overlooking the famed pool and the illustrious Copacabana Beach. The revitalised Pool Wing will also debut one of the most incredible wellness destinations in Rio, with five floors dedicated entirely to wellbeing. This new chapter will also see the reimagination of the pool area, introducing a new hotel bar – set to elevate the Copacabana poolside experience.  Guests will also enjoy a new boutique, and a reimagined contemporary Italian restaurant.

HOTEL CIPRIANI, A BELMOND HOTEL, VENICE: A RENEWED WELLNESS AND GASTRONOMY DESTINATION DESIGNED BY PETER MARINO ARCHITECT – APRIL 2026

Hotel Cipriani continues its masterful multi-phase renovation by Peter Marino Architect, capturing Venice’s multicultural spirit and dolce vita allure. The initial phase of renovation earlier this year introduced a luminous double-height lobby and 13 artfully reimagined suites. In Spring 2026, the hotel will reveal two major debuts designed by Peter Marino: the first Dior Spa in Venice and a reimagined Michelin-starred Oro restaurant.

The new Dior Spa will invite guests into an atmosphere of refined well-being, inspired by the grandeur of Venetian balls and Christian Dior’s passion for art, beauty, and celebration. Guests can choose from signature treatments, including advanced high-technology facials and beauty rituals, as well as holistic treatments and wellness therapies. Alongside the spa, the Michelin-starred Oro restaurant will open for lunch for the first time, offering an elevated all-day dining experience with a new menu curated by Chef Vania Ghedini under the culinary direction of Massimo Bottura.

VILLA TIMEO, GRAND HOTEL TIMEO, TAORMINA: AN ULTIMATE SICILIAN NOBLE HOME REENCHANTED BY LAURA GONZALEZ – MAY 2026

Honouring vibrant Sicilian heritage through a soft, contemporary lens, Villa Timeo is an exclusive 21-room residence opening its doors in May 2026, following a sumptuous redesign by acclaimed interior designer Laura Gonzalez. Just steps from the legendary Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina, Villa Timeo offers exceptional views over the Mediterranean, Taormina and its ancient Greek amphitheater. Its 21 accomodations, mainly suites, can be booked individually or for complete buyout,  for private getaways or larger gatherings.

The charm of Sicilian hospitality and sophisticated ease of a noble residence infuse every space, with the comfort and privacy of a home-from-home. Complete with an opulent indoor bar, private infinity pool, terrace bar and lounge, Villa Timeo gives guests full access to the hotel’s amenities, including the Michelin-starred Otto Geleng restaurant and terraced gardens. Building on this spirit of refined escape, Grand Hotel Timeo will reveal a glamorous new Dior Spa. This exclusive wellness retreat offers a sanctuary of serenity, with Bio-Energising therapies, Haute-Couture facials and curated half-day Wellness Villeggiaturas, each capturing the essence of Dior Wellness with a touch of Sicilian art de vivre.

VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS: VILLEGGIATURA BY TRAIN – UNITING GLOBAL TRAVEL LEGENDS VIA RAIL, INCLUDING A FIRST-EVER ROUTE FROM PARIS TO POMPEII – SPRING 2026

In 2026, Belmond launches its ‘Villeggiatura by Train’ series, uniting a global icon of the rails with legendary hotels as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express journeys to four of its most celebrated Italian properties: Villa San Michele, Splendido, Caruso, and Hotel Cipriani. Trips combine the magic of slow travel with the essence of villeggiatura, the art of the leisurely Italian summer holiday.

Each curated itinerary extends the train’s timeless glamour into refined cultural and culinary immersion at storied destinations: Florence and its Renaissance heritage; Portofino and the Italian Riviera; Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in a first-ever route for 2026; and Venice’s iconic lagoon. Every four-day journey begins with a one-night cinematic sojourn aboard the train, travelling in magnificently restored Art Deco carriages through Italy’s coastlines, villages, and mountains, before continuing with a two-night stay at each hotel. Bespoke experiences anchor each stay, from cooking masterclasses and live music to arts or archaeology visits, scenic boat tours, and wellness rituals.

EASTERN & ORIENTAL EXPRESS, A BELMOND TRAIN, SOUTHEAST ASIA MICHELIN-STARRED CULINARY SERIES MAKES ITS RETURN

Building on the success of the 2025 edition, the Eastern & Oriental Express will bring back its annual Culinary Series under the curatorship of Chef Andre Chiang. In 2026, he will be joined on board by three global Michelin-starred guest chefs.  The series will feature exclusive culinary journeys along Southeast Asia, offering guests an immersive experience of innovative cuisine, regional ingredients, and the artistry of world-class chefs.

THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN, A BELMOND TRAIN, SCOTLAND HONOURS SCOTTISH CUISINE

In 2026, The Royal Scotsman presents the “Tastes of Scotland Culinary Series”, a celebration of Scottish cuisine across three exclusive journeys. Guests will enjoy menus crafted by renowned chefs, highlighting traditional Scottish dishes and the finest local produce. Featured culinary talents include Tom Kitchin and rising star Lorna McNee, ensuring an authentic and memorable gastronomic experience.

LES BATEAUX BELMOND, FRANCE: A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY ON FRENCH RIVERS

Chef Dominique Crenn returns for her second year aboard Les Bateaux Belmond, creating new menus and elevated gastronomic experiences inspired by the journey along France’s storied waterways and the region’s finest ingredients. A new Bordeaux itinerary, aboard Alouette, offers guests elevated off-board experiences, including exclusive visits to Château d’Yquem and Saint-Émilion, guided winery tours in Pessac-Léognan, a private welcome at Château Lamothe Bardigues by the Countess, and explorations of traditional Armagnac distilleries and the medieval town of Nérac.

INVITING CREATIVE TERROIRS ON PROPERTY

In 2026, Belmond deepens its culinary vision, inviting guests to journey through flavour – tasting terroirs aboard trains and river boats, while bringing regional identity to its restaurants through culinary creativity. Across the portfolio, local ingredients, producers and traditions shape menus and experiences, offering a clear, destination-led approach to gastronomy.

AMURA BY ÁNGEL LEÓN: AN IMMERSIVE MARINE DINING EXPERIENCE TO LAUNCH AT MOUNT NELSON, A BELMOND HOTEL, CAPE TOWN – DECEMBER 2025

Where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town will debut Amura by Michelin-starred Chef Ángel León in December 2025. Inspired by the mysterious beauty and biodiversity of the sea, this immersive marine dining experience marks the celebrated “Chef of the Sea’s” first restaurant outside Spain. Shaped by the rhythms of the ocean and the richness of the Cape coastline, Amura will offer a sensory culinary journey through the vision of one of the world’s most innovative chefs who will use innovative techniques to offer culturally rooted experiences  Designed by award-winning South African interior architect Tristan du Plessis, the restaurant is a visual homage to the kelp forests beneath the waters of Cape Town: moody, mysterious, and cinematic.

THE CADOGAN HOTEL, A BELMOND HOTEL, LONDON LAUNCHES NEW RESTAURANT HONOURING BRITISH FLAVOURS AND THE SPIRIT OF BISTRO DINING – SPRING 2026

The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London, a storied townhouse at the heart of the capital’s most distinguished neighbourhoods; Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Belgravia, will unveil a new British bistro restaurant and bar in Spring 2026. With bespoke modern interiors and a distinct British aesthetic, the elegant bistro will showcase Executive Chef Michael Turner’s meticulously crafted menus that honour classic recipes and place the finest seasonal English produce at the centre of the plate.

MOUNT NELSON, A BELMOND HOTEL, CAPE TOWN LAUNCHES THE THEBE MAGUGU SUITE AND MAGUGU HOUSE – JANUARY 2026

One of South Africa’s most revered talents, fashion designer Thebe Magugu will make his debut in luxury hospitality in January with the launch of the Thebe Magugu Suite at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town. The suite marks Magugu’s first venture into interior design – an elegant reflection of South African culture, artistry, and storytelling – and an invitation to delve into his imagination. Adjacent to the suite, Magugu House Cape Town will open as a hybrid concept store and cultural institute, showcasing Magugu’s collections alongside works by leading African artists. The collaboration underscores Mount Nelson’s commitment to championing contemporary African creativity while establishing Magugu’s creative home in Cape Town.

PUBLISHING: DESTINATION-LED BOOKS & CULTURAL WANDERING

Belmond’s art of journeying extends to a curated collection of books, created in partnership with three expert publishers, connecting discerning travellers with the places, heritage and people that bring each locale to life.

Destination immersion is expressed through the recently launched Assouline coffee table book collection. “Legendary Destinations” offers an inspiring gateway to the character of a Belmond property or regional collection, revealing how each location embodies history, traditions, and the unique atmosphere that defines its distinctive sense of place. The first volumes include:’ Peru: An Odyssey Across a Time-Honoured Land’ commemorating 25 years of Belmond in Peru, and ‘Splendido: The Radiant Stage on Portofino’ celebrating its new era following an artful renovation by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio.

Reinventing the cookbook as a culinary photo-essay and road trip, the “Recipes & Wanderings” series developed with publisher Apartamento offers a rich, sensory account of terroir through culinary customs, landscapes and communities, featuring recipes inspired by Belmond’s regional properties. The latest instalment features: ‘El Bajío: Recipes & Wanderings Through Mexico’s Heartland’.

The RVB “As Seen By” photobook collection captures the spirit of Belmond properties through a creative lens, offering an artistic journey across the portfolio. Building on the Belmond Legends creative campaign, it fosters dialogue between global talent and contemporary heritage. Latest titles include Cap Juluca in Anguilla as seen by Jean Edwards, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro by Angel Castellanos and Castello di Casole by Cecy Young – an emerging talent identified through the brand’s annual photography award initiative.

Launched last year, the Belmond Photographic Residency prize celebrates original perspectives in travel photography and supports underrepresented creative talents. The second winner, Indian photographer Tara L. C. Sood, will be in residence at Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina Mare, in Spring 2026.

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