Top cabin: Luxury Suite
Key selling points: These elegantly designed suites, decorated with rich chestnut wood finishes, feature Italian marble bathrooms with gold-plated fixtures (plus a choice of a standup shower or full bathtub). The ultimate in comfortable luxury, these suites transform from a spacious lounge into an inviting sleeping space. Enjoy watching the beautiful passing landscape through the oversized picture window, while your personal butler attends to your every need.
Standout service: For a guest recovering from a stomach virus, the chef prepared a plain dish of pasta, but as she wasn’t able to eat even that, crew left Diet Cokes with sliced lemon by her nightstand—the only thing that helped calm her stomach.
Style: Elegant with African touches, by Quantum, 2012
Special amenities: Round-the-clock butler service, Dreyer & Statham linens, individual climate control, remote-controlled blinds, international direct-dial phone, flat-screen LG HD TV with movie and music channels, complimentary water, wines, and spirits
Square footage: 160
Number of bedrooms: One open-plan space
Number of bathrooms: One
Number of cabins on train: There are two trains: One with 40 suites and one with 26 suites.
Who’s slept here?: Nelson Mandela, Quincy Jones, Desmond Tutu, Mia Farrow, Naomi Campbell, Elton John, Kylie Minogue
Rate: From about $1,410 per person for an overnight journey
Route: The train travels between Pretoria and Cape Town on one-way overnight journeys.
Charter: The Blue Train is available for charter for overnight journeys or on a short-term basis, such as for high tea or dinner service. A minimum of 20 passengers is recommended and rates are subject to time of year and train availability.
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