Frenchman Valentin Waldman hails from a luxury hotel background but for the past 12 years, he’s travelled nearly one million kilometres on board Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train. The GM talks to Karryon Luxury.
Can you tell us a bit more about your personal and professional background?
I am a Frenchman who grew up in Paris and began travelling on my own at 18, exploring all five continents with the certainty that I would one day live abroad. Asia was the last continent I discovered, but it captured my heart deeply enough to make me stay.
After graduating with a degree in Tourism in 2007, I became a Restaurant Manager for a Master Chef of France in Hanoi, spending two years in Vietnam. I then moved to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a year, followed by another year in Bora Bora, where I served as Director of Food and Beverages for two five-star hotels.
Island life wasn’t for me so in 2012, I returned to Asia and made Bangkok my new home. That same year, I joined Belmond as Train Manager of the Eastern & Oriental Express, overseeing guest journeys and train operations.
By 2016, at just 31 years old, I became General Manager of the Eastern & Oriental Express. In 2024, after Belmond and the Eastern & Oriental Express were acquired by LVMH, the train was relaunched.
With nearly 13 years of experience in the luxury train business, I am about to reach a milestone of travelling one million kilometres aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express.
What do you love about luxury rail travel and what do guests love about it?
What’s truly enchanting about luxury rail travel is the perfect blend of slow luxury and timeless elegance. For me, it’s the sheer romance of gliding through breathtaking landscapes while savouring every moment at a leisurely pace.
There’s something magical about watching the world unfold through panoramic windows, feeling like time has slowed down just for you. The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia offers a truly exceptional luxury train experience that sets it apart from others in Asia. Guests can enjoy a range of onboard amenities and services such as complimentary premium amenities and free-flow Champagne.
Often celebrated for creating special moments, whether it’s enjoying a glass of Champagne while watching a sunset from the observation car or celebrating a milestone in our restaurant car, these experiences become unforgettable memories. The slow pace allows guests to truly savour each moment, whether they’re toasting to an anniversary or simply enjoying the changing scenery, it is a truly unique experience on the rails.
What are some of your highlights and favourite anecdotes from your time spent working on the trains?
Train journeys often bring unexpected surprises, and I like to think of the Eastern & Oriental Express as a stage where the staff play genuine roles, completing the scenes, while the passengers create the story of each unique journey with their presence. This is why every trip is so different.
Interestingly, some of the best journeys I’ve experienced during my years with the Eastern & Oriental Express were those where things didn’t go according to plan—whether due to haulage issues, weather conditions, or other factors.
For example, I remember a journey where the train was scheduled to arrive at its final destination at 3pm but didn’t arrive until 10pm. The team had to improvise a Michelin-star dinner with what was available in the fridge, and we gathered all the guests at the Piano Bar with a free flow of vintage champagne and some musicians who joined us along the way to liven up the evening.
The Chef and I danced with the guests until the train arrived, and many of those passengers have since become friends with whom I’m still in touch.
What are the challenges for staff when working on luxury trains that require unique solutions to be able to provide consistent service and amenities to the standards a luxury traveller would expect?
The main challenge and our main objective will always be to deliver and exceed the expectations of guests travelling for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Managing and working on a train involves niche expertise, particularly with the logistics being very complex, with limited space and the fact that trains are essentially moving hotels. Being innovative and generous in hospitality are what set us apart at Belmond.
During your more than 10 years working with Belmond have you noticed a shift or change in the profile and demographics of luxury train travellers?
There has been a notable increase in demand for luxury train offerings in Asia, and a younger generation of travellers, particularly for the Eastern & Oriental Express trips by Belmond. This surge in demand indicates a strong recovery in luxury travel.
Travellers are increasingly seeking genuine and personalised experiences that allow them to deeply connect with local cultures in unique destinations.
They want to avoid tourist traps and mass market experiences. Additionally, they value exceptional and authentic local flavours in their food and drinks, along with choices that are both delicious and beneficial for the environment and their health.
These trends, known as Slow Luxury, are shaping the future of travel. The strong demand for luxury train experiences in Asia highlights the desire for meaningful, immersive, and sustainable travel.
The positive results observed over the past year further support the notion of a thriving luxury travel sector, with train travel emerging as a favoured choice among discerning travellers.
For travel advisors who may have clients who are curious to try a luxury rail journey, what key tips and advice can they pass on?
When it comes to luxury rail travel, the experience is all about enjoying the journey as much as the destination. We encourage guests to really immerse themselves in the journey—this means embracing the slower pace and taking time to appreciate the stunning landscapes rolling by. It’s not just about reaching a place but enjoying each moment on the train.
They should also be ready for off-train excursions, offering unique cultural and historical insights. On the Eastern & Oriental Express, we offer a variety of excursions as part of our two itineraries, Wild Malaysia and Essence of Malaysia. Guests can take in destinations like the islands of Penang or choose something more adventurous like exploring the jungles of Malaysia.
Back on board, we offer a unique spa experience in the newly launched Dior Spa Eastern & Oriental Express, the first in Southeast Asia. Guests must experience a relaxing moment in the spa with its rejuvenating treatments whilst the landscape rolls by outside the window.
In 2025, Belmond will launch a new carriage on its Venice-Simplon Orient Express, A Belmond Train, Europe.
For more information visit belmond.com
