To mark the beginning of its golden year, the first five guests to book direct through the hotel’s website on 26th May for a future stay, will pay for their first night at the Euro equivalent of what it would have cost on the opening night in 1958, when a double room started at 8,000 Lire (approx £2.56).
Other glittering treats will include the introduction of the Luxe 24 Karat Gold Facial to the hotel’s Casanova Spa menu. This treatment uses 24 Karat gold - the purest and finest gold available. With the latest skincare advancements of Gamma PGA, Negative Ions and Ultrasonic Nano Mist technology, the powers of gold have been harnessed to carry it across the skin barrier, allowing it to activate and work its benefits, creating immediate and long-lasting results. Skin will feel firmer, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles diminished, and the skin lighter and brighter. The gold remains in the skin for up to 28 days after treatment, thus fighting off damaging free radicals to prevent premature aging. The treatment will last for 80 minutes and costs 350 Euros (approx. £275*)
Celebrations of the 50th anniversary will also extend beyond Venice, when the Orient-Express British Pullman train in the UK will serve a special Cipriani dinner onboard, cooked by the hotel’s chef Renato Piccolotto, on 24th May 2008. Cipriani Restaurants at other Orient-Express Hotels such as the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Lapa Palace in Lisbon and Reid’s Palace in Madeira, will offer an anniversary menu to their guests as well.
Furthermore, Hotel Cipriani has this winter completed the first phase of a three year rolling renovation project, which includes ten fully refurbished rooms and suites located in the “Redentore” and “San Giorgio” wings, all offering breathtaking views of the Lagoon. The new rooms, six luxury doubles and four exclusive suites, include beautiful bathrooms with large walk-in showers, double basins, and Carrara marble and mosaics depicting a Byzantine-Venetian tradition. Extra lavish touches such as cashmere and silk blankets have been added to make each guest’s stay at Hotel Cipriani more memorable.
Interior designer, Michel Jouannet of Paris, has used Venetian artefacts, hand-made stuccos, Murano glass, antique mirrors and fabrics by Fortuny and Rubelli to create the luxurious new rooms. To maintain a connection with the past, the same skilled Venetian Maestro, Franco Fogliata who decorated many of the Cipriani’s suites in 1958, has been appointed to create precious hand made stuccos, following the same designs and methods used over 400 years ago.
As the refurbishments continue from November 2008 onwards, when the hotel closes for the season, each room will be equipped with complimentary broadband internet, high definition satellite TV and the latest technological equipment.
Ends/..
Notes to Editors:
Hotel Cipriani opened on 26th May 1958 when Giuseppe Cipriani, the famous patron of Harry’s Bar in Venice, cut the ribbon and welcomed the first guest to the hotel. At that time, a double room cost Lire 8000 and a Bellini cost Lire 500. In 1976, James B. Sherwood, a regular guest at the hotel, bought the Cipriani, which was to become the first of the Orient-Express Hotels. The hotel has seen many famous guests pass through its doors including Pablo Picasso, George Clooney, Jude Law and Michael Caine. Over the past 50 years, more than 1,000,000 Bellinis have been served at the Cipriani and about the same number of Carpaccio.
**The sterling price guide is based on the exchange rate at the time of going to press, but the final price will depend on the exchange rate at the time of booking.
For more information on Hotel Cipriani, please visit www.hotelcipriani.com
For images visit www.orient-expressimages.com
For further press information please contact:
Vicky Legg
Director of Public Relations
Orient-Express Hotels
Tel: 020 7921 4067
Fax: 020 7921 4776
Email: vicky.legg@orient-express.com
Louise Toye
PR Executive
Orient-Express Hotels
Tel: 020 7921 4069
Fax: 020 7921 4776
Email: louise.toye@orient-express.com
Web: www.orient-express.com
Language: English 
