Step inside the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, and you’ll feel transported—not just by location, but by time. Fern-lined lobbies, tailored white-uniformed staff, and big band melodies bring the 1930s roaring back to life, minus the haze of cigar smoke. This immersive journey is not a gimmick, but a deliberate revival of an era where luxury was defined by elegance, slow living, and story-rich design.
The rise of experience-driven luxury has transformed how elite travelers—and now, discerning homeowners—define opulence. Swanky spaces like Gigi Roma, with its plush velvets and brass accents, echo the glamour of train cars once graced by aristocrats. With views nearly brushing the Pantheon, it’s an homage to a time when travel was more than movement; it was an art.
Designers like Hugo Toro and Dimorestudio aren’t just decorating; they’re curating a sensorial, cultural journey. Orient Express' newest revivals channel mid-century Italian masters while Parisian tastemaker Aline Asmar d’Amman integrates Saudi Arabian heritage into the Middle East’s first luxury train. Each design choice—wood marquetry, sculptural lighting, velvety textures—calls back to an era when details mattered and time was abundant.
This cultural shift is redefining luxury across industries, including real estate. On the Main Line, in Philadelphia, and along the Jersey Shore, high-end buyers seek homes that echo these principles: timeless architecture, curated interiors, and spaces designed for unhurried living. Homes are no longer just residences, they’re sanctuaries for refined lifestyles.
Even brands like Raffles Hotels & Resorts are leaning into storytelling, cinematic experiences, and impeccable service. Their campaigns romanticize the butler service and polished charm of early travel, just as today’s buyers romanticize handcrafted woodwork, rich materials, and a sense of slowness in their future homes.
The trend toward “slow travel” has replaced the chaos of post-pandemic revenge travel. Experts like Euromonitor and Abercrombie & Kent note a clear pivot—travelers want depth, culture, and calm. Likewise, high-end homebuyers are trading convenience for character, craving authenticity and design with a past.
At its heart, this renaissance is driven by the most coveted luxury of all: time. Whether aboard a train in the desert or relaxing in your custom-built retreat on the Main Line or Jersey Shore, today’s luxury means living fully, intentionally, and beautifully.
Ready to find a home that offers more than a destination? Let's find your timeless sanctuary—crafted with purpose, elegance, and soul. Contact Sean Elstone today to begin your journey into elevated living.
Photo Credits: WWD
