Viral Vacay is our holiday feature where we track down holidays that have gone viral, find out how much it actually costs and if needs be, suggest a cheaper alternative 🕵️♀️
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Viray Vacay: Luxury Orient Express Train Suite
The Venice Simplon Orient Express train has plenty of luxurious cabins for seriously rich travellers. But there is an extra special suite that truly takes the cake.
This reel by @jr, the artist who designed the suite, stopped us in our… well, tracks.
L'Observatoire, Venice Simplon Orient Express
L’Observatoire is an entire carriage designed as a unique space for wonder and adventure.
It’s inspired by astronomy and is chock-full of cool touches. There’s a roll top bath, a hidden reading nook, even a record player. And there’s incredible wood-carved decoration all over the suite inspired by the many cities and landscapes you could encounter on your travels.
How viral? Views of this reel showing the inside of L’Observatoire, a bespoke suite inside an entire carriage, have reached over 3.1M.
How much? The L’Observatoire suite is so exclusive, the price is by application only (we did ask!). The Orient Express train is big money though – the poshest suite costs as much as £58,000 per passenger on the service from Paris to Istanbul. Flush travellers minding their cash can bag a cabin from £3,530 per passenger on the Paris to Vienna service.
If you’re dreaming of a book-themed retreat to transport you to another world – that’s actually within budget – then check out our recommendations below.
Fancy a cheaper alternative?
Book and Bed Tokyo
The concept behind Book and Bed Tokyo is that it’s like a real bookshop you can stay overnight in.
There are 4000 books here, so if you’re a big reader, it’s probably your idea of heaven. You can choose from a few different sizes of single or double room – they’re clad in wood and range from tiny nooks to airy spaces lined with picture windows.
You can also book in for a day session, if you just fancy lounging around with the books! They have another outpost in Osaka too.
How much? A double room costs from £58 per night, a single costs from £39 per night.
And another?
Hotel not Hotel, Amsterdam
Book lovers will jump at the chance to stay in this cool room at Hotel Not Hotel in Amsterdam, which is cleverly concealed behind a bookcase.
Once you discover your way in amongst the antique books, you’ll find a cool and cosy space with colour-pop decor. There are even one-way mirrors so you can safely sneak out of your secret room without anyone seeing.
If unique stays are your bag, then this room isn’t the only quirky one here. There are a few other bookcase rooms of different sizes, plus other spaces like an old tram carriage and VW van. There’s even a procted room, decorated with traditional Transylvanian symbols to keep out evil!
How much? 2 adults can stay in January in the en-suite bookshelf room from £57 per night. If you’re happy to do without a private bathroom, the smallest bookshelf room is just £43 per night.
Want to submit your own Viral Vacay?
A viral video you’ve spotted could be gracing the website and newsletter next week so drop me a DM if you see anything you’d love to know the price of! 📧
