19th December 2011 - Orient-Express has announced that as of the 15th December 2011, Napasai, Koh Samui and Jimbaran Puri Bali have joined Leading Hotels of the World.

Representing the finest hotels, resorts and spas, Leading Hotels of the World is the largest luxury hospitality organisation in the world, recognising properties that offer the very best in accommodation and an extraordinary level of service. Philippe Bissig, Regional Managing Director of Asia for Orient-Express, comments “we are very pleased that Napasai and Jimbaran Puri Bali have joined Leading Hotels of the World. Like us, their guests demand the highest level of quality and an inspirational travel experience.”

A stylish and secluded beach retreat, Napasai features one of the longest private sandy beaches on Koh Samui, Thailand. Following a month long closure, in June 2011 the resort unveiled a new 28,000m2 crystal clear lagoon and nature reserve. Dead coral and underwater rocks were carefully removed under the supervision of the local marine authority to create a haven for vibrant fish and a diversity of corals, producing a wildlife paradise for snorkelers. This was the latest phase in Orient-Express’ investment in Napasai. In January 2010, the resort’s private beach was expanded by 1,800m², complemented by a new barbecue restaurant. Napasai’s 14 private pool residences, some of which are ocean front, and 55 Villas were renovated in the same project, further enhancing the chic yet comfortable feel of the resort.

Situated on Bali’s southern shores, Jimbaran Puri Bali is a tropical escape that overlooks one of the islands most romantic and pristine beaches. The resort’s most recent refurbishments include the addition of 22 idyllic thatched villas, bringing the total room count to 64. Each villa is set amidst a traditional Balinese garden and courtyard ensuring absolute seclusion, with a luxurious private swimming pool and a shady teakwood deck where rejuvenating spa treatments can be arranged. If guests can tear themselves away from their Villa, Jimbaran Puri Bali’s other facilities include a private beach, swimming pool, Beach Spa, Puri Bar, Tunjung Café and Nelayan restaurant, where locally caught seafood as well as French Mediterranean dishes are served.

Orient-Express, (NYSE: OEH, www.orient-express.com) the name behind an elite collection of travel experiences, first came into being in 1883 as one of the world’s most exciting and indulgent train journeys. Today that evocative name also embraces hotels, cruises and other luxury rail adventures in 24 countries, across five continents. The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it first purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly afterwards, recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities. Today, the company owns or part-owns and manages 49 businesses, 40 of which are highly acclaimed hotels, each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and Maroma Resort & Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. There are six luxury tourist trains, two river cruise operations and ‘21’, one of New York’s most iconic restaurants.

For further information, please contact Sara Mirza or Emily Wilson at Orient-Express on 020 7921 4069 or sara.mirza@orient-express.com, emily.wilson@orient-express.com