I spent $9,000 for a night on an iconic luxury train. It was so luxurious, I felt like I was staying at a 5-star hotel.

Business Insider's reporter felt like a VIP onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — one of the world's most luxurious sleeper trains.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• I traveled on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a train made up of historic Orient Express cars.
• I only stayed on the luxury sleeper train for a night, but I felt like a VIP the whole time.

I've spent countless hours on overnight Amtraks and night trains between European countries.

But none of those experiences could come close to my $9,000, one-night ride from Paris to Venice on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — one of the most luxurious sleeper trains in the world.

It was my first time experiencing the upscale Belmond train, made up of original Orient Express carriages from the 1920s and 1930s.

And even though it was just a night's stay, I felt like a VIP for the entire 30-hour journey thanks to elevated details like a red carpet, three-course meals, and an extravagantly decorated cabin.