The Dior Spa is no stranger aboard the Belmond Train, though it was only officially made a permanent resident on the legendary Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland in April 2023. Beginning July 2024, it joins the Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia to create the Dior Spa Eastern & Oriental Express, marking the French maison’s first spa in the region.
Interior Design
Within one of the Belmond Train’s plush Art Deco-inspired carriages sits a welcoming retreat for weary travellers. Featuring the House of Dior’s iconic canework fused with Southeast Asia’s natural beauty as inspiration, the new Dior Spa Eastern & Oriental Express uses hand-crafted tropical wood materials to ensure the interior seamlessly blends with the train’s changing scenery. Additionally, delicate rose emblems in shades of green and beige are peppered on the carriage carpets as a tribute to Christian Dior’s affinity with flowers.
There’s a reception area where guests can learn more about the spa and its premium range of products, as well as two luxurious treatment rooms, complete with furniture adorned in Dior’s iconic Toile de Jouy print. The print features the special appearance of a tiger as a nod to the Malaysian Sacred Tigers.
Spa Treatments
In the name of rejuvenation and delivering the ultimate beauty experience, Dior’s wellness experts curated a new well-being menu with five tailor-made treatments that can cater to every guest’s needs. Taking inspiration from Asia, D-Jungle is the signature face and body treatment, where guests are treated to a perfectly rhythmic, deep muscle massage from head to toe through a series of stretching techniques and specific energy points targeted.
Every signature treatment includes a relaxing Constellation massage that relieves body tension using a variety of massage techniques. However, nothing beats the D-Tissue massage which uses deep, slow and soothing movements for the ultimate relief from muscular pain.
Meanwhile, the Dior Spa Eastern & Oriental Express’s luxurious facial treatments use traditional Asian techniques inspired by Asian beauty rituals and complement them with the Dior Prestige skincare range. For example, the Kobi-Dior Facial Treatment sculpts the guest’s face with the ancient Japanese Kobido massage technique that traditionally rejuvenates the skin.
Alternatively, the Le Soin de Minuit treatment delivers a fully immersive rejuvenating experience by incorporating meditative exercises designed to promote profound sleep and optimise skin regeneration. It includes a selection of fine teas and nourishing delicacies for guests to enjoy and unwind.
Itineraries
The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia with the Dior Spa offers two seasonal journeys that depart from Singapore and travel through Malaysia’s lush landscapes of tropical rainforests, rivers, rice fields, sparkling seas, and ancestral temples. It’ll pass through vibrant destinations like Penang, Langkawi and, for the first time, the Taman Negara National Park, before rerouting back towards the Lion City.
The first itinerary is the three-night Essence of Malaysia, taking place from November to February. The train will depart from Singapore and travel through the country’s western parts like Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang, allowing guests to experience century-old UNESCO World Heritage sites, lively street art, and a thrilling food scene.
The second itinerary is aptly named Wild Malaysia as it visits the eastern side of the country, through untouched areas surrounding the ‘Jungle Railway’ for a dollop of adventure. Guests will be able to visit the Taman Negara National Park, one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests and where hundreds of species call home, including tigers and leopards. These excursions include learning about the Malayan Tiger conservation and experiencing foraging in the jungle.
The next stop would be to the west where guests will have three options for activities to explore Penang’s heritage, be it from an artistic angle, delight in the state’s colourful culinary stories or discover its historic heritage. Wild Malaysia kicks off from March to October.
The new Dior Spa Eastern & Oriental Express will be available from 22 July 2024. For more information, visit Belmond’s website.