When Belmond sought to elevate the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to new emotional heights, they turned to Sixième Son to craft a sonic identity as timeless as the journey itself. Blending history, elegance, and immersive storytelling, we created a sound experience that transforms each moment into a scene from a living legend. Today, the train’s music echoes luxury, memory, and the irresistible allure of contemporary nostalgia.
Belmond, crowned the world’s best luxury hotel chain in 2019, faced rising competition. To protect its status, the brand began a strategic transformation journey across all their Properties. This included enhancing brand perception and elevating guest experiences in the iconic train: Venice Simplon Orient Express. Sound was identified as a powerful, untapped emotional connector to craft a sonic ecosystem worthy of the world’s most desirable journey.
Each Belmond property embodies a unique blend of cultural, historical, and emotional richness. To reflect this essence, we followed a four-step approach: audit, journey design, sonic experience, and rollout. Custom soundscapes were created to enhance key moments, such as arrival, dining, and tea time, supporting the idea of stepping onto a legend in motion. The result is a carefully curated sensory experience where sound aligns with history, storytelling, and space, expressing the notion of contemporary nostalgia deeply rooted in the Belmond spirit.
Guests now enjoy a seamless sonic journey, enhancing every stage of their stay. Music sets the tone from welcome to farewell, deepening emotional impact. New music guidelines support live performances and reinforce brand unity. Sonic experiences are immersive, site-specific, and scalable across locations. Venice Simplon Orient Express’s sound now speaks luxury, memory, and timeless desirability.