CGI of Club Car in the new Caledonian SleeperCaledonian Sleeper is giving the public a glimpse of its brand new £150m fleet of trains ahead of their introduction next year.

A dedicated website has been launched today at newtrains.sleeper.scot where details of the trains will continue to be revealed ahead of their phased introduction to service from Spring 2018.

Visitors to the site will be able to see the development of the 75 state-of-the-art carriages, which are currently under construction.

The new trains will offer a range of accommodation options including:

• Suites (double bed with en-suite)
• Club Rooms (twin or single with en-suite)
• Classic Rooms (twin or single),
• Comfort Seats
• Classic, Club and Suites will also be available as fully accessible rooms for guests with reduced mobility.

A host of new features have been included on the new trains, such as a hotel-style key card entry system, more accessible rooms, bespoke ‘comfort seats’ designed for long journeys, upgraded panels for phone and gadget charging, and WiFi throughout the train.

The new trains will ensure guests enjoy a unique travelling hotel-style experience, waking at their destination refreshed and relaxed having travelled in comfort through the night

Peter Strachan, chairman, Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Travelling with the Caledonian Sleeper is a wonderful experience and the new train fleet being introduced will offer a new standard in overnight travel.

“This website is where members of the public can see the latest news on the trains and discover the exciting things we have in store. The Sleeper is already a fantastic way to travel, and the new trains will improve the service dramatically.

“Providing comfort and convenience, the Sleeper allows for plenty of time for a full day of work or play, before transporting you to and from the destinations we serve – without the hassle of flying. The Sleeper offers great value for money compared to other travel and accommodation options and combined with the new train accommodation, will give guests the journey of a night time.”

The introduction of new trains will be the culmination of a wide range of improvements and investment in the Caledonian Sleeper since Serco took over the franchise on behalf of the Scottish Government in April 2015.

Highlights include a new Guest Service Centre in Inverness as well as new uniforms, toiletries and food and beverage offer, the vast majority of which is from Scottish suppliers. Caledonian Sleeper’s commitment to quality Scottish produce and ingredients has earned the company VisitScotland’s Taste our Best award. Ticketing has also been improved, with new tickets for families travelling together, the introduction of electronic ticketing and enhanced online functionality for regular guests.

Further information and images of the new trains will available nearer the launch date.

To find out more about the Caledonian Sleeper visit sleeper.scot. To discover the new trains on our dedicated website, visit newtrains.sleeper.scot.

Susete Santos_V2Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian has appointed Susete Santos as Head of Business Development to drive forward its ambitious commercial strategy.

With over 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Santos has held several roles across the globe working for the Hilton portfolio specialising in a range of areas including operations, marketing, human resources and business development. Most recently, she acted as Cluster Business Development Manager for Hilton hotels in Portugal.

In her new role, Santos will manage the commercial team at the hotel to maximise growth and work with local and international partners to promote Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh as a destination venue offering the highest quality in luxury service, style and excellence.

On her new appointment, Santos said: “I am truly honoured to be joining the team and such an iconic building within the capital. With over 100 years of history and heritage, The Caledonian embodies the very best of Scottish hospitality.

“I look forward to working with the team to ensure the hotel continues to be positioned as one of the best luxury hotels in the country.”

And General Manager, Dale MacPhee said: “Susete brings a wealth of luxury experience from working in other five star properties across Europe and the UK. We see her addition to the team, as a key component to helping us reinforce the unique positioning of The Caley as the only Waldorf Astoria property in the UK.”