From high-tech spas to cryotherapy treatments, wellness gets top billing in today’s superyacht fleet.
This article was written by Rachel Ingram. Photography courtesy of the designers.
Once upon a time, a hot tub was considered a prized feature for a superyacht. But as modern owners have become more focused on wellness, the demand has grown for state-of-the-art spas to soothe the mind and invigorate the body in ways that go far beyond simply soaking in yet another hot tub.
Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find a marble hammam, an infrared sauna, or even a snow room built into a yacht’s design. Some go even further, with multi-deck wellness areas containing fitness studios, beach clubs, and even medical clinics that exceed what the most exclusive 5-star resorts provide.
Take for instance the 122-meter Lürssen yacht, Kismet that wowed the world at the Monaco Yacht Show last year. Everyone agreed the vessel’s exterior was striking. But what really got tongues wagging was the yacht’s Balinese-inspired “wellness suite” that features a dizzying number of wellness-specific spaces including a hammam, sauna, cryotherapy chamber, therapeutic tub, massage room, and rain showers. It also has one of the most beautiful relaxation areas I’ve seen on a yacht, which features heated loungers surrounding a fire, and stones that have been strategically embedded into the floor to provide reflexology. There’s also a well-equipped gym and yoga studio, a juice bar serving detoxifying or energy-boosting drinks, and a beauty salon. In short, it’s Shangri-la.
Many yachts, especially those hoping to attract charter guests, put wellness at the top of their must-have lists. For instance, Eternal Spark, built by Bilgin Yachts, provides alfresco yoga classes on its large deck, purifying experiences in its sauna and steam rooms, and specially designed detox meals prepared by a Michelin-level chef.
Designers are also placing wellness facilities in premium spaces instead of hiding them away on a lower deck in the center of a yacht. On 72-meter Tankoa yacht Solo, the sauna built from fine woods has a prime spot with a large window so users can watch the world go by while they relax.
When concepting a design for Oceanco’s Simply Custom line, leading British studio Winch Design chose to craft the whole yacht around the notion of wellness. Reverie features an “innovative three-deck ‘beach and wellness’ experience” in which a main deck “pool lounge” leads to an expansive lower deck spa and gym that connects with a shaded aft pool and bar, leading to the sea.
Meanwhile Amsterdam-headquartered firm Dutch Design has designed what it’s calling “the world’s only wellness-first yacht.” Founder Scott Blum drew on his own experience as a seasoned yacht owner to create the concept of 42.5-meter Sea Rover. “I’ve seen first-hand the demand for a new lifestyle at sea—one that encourages activity and wellness,” he says. “Sea Rover is for the owner who likes to wake up and jump in the water, work out, go diving, and uses all the toys. It’s integrating travel with total well-being—something that has never been done before on a boat.”
Created in partnership with Dutch yacht designer Bernd Weel, Sea Rover features California-inspired minimalist interiors designed to evoke tranquillity through natural woods, stones, and earth-toned textiles. A state-of-the- art spa, gym, and sports courts (for pickleball, basketball, paddle tennis, and volleyball) are set on the bridge deck of the yacht, rather than tucked away below, meaning guests can enjoy 360-degree views of the sea as they exercise or relax with a spa treatment. A beach club with foldable wings and an expansive swim platform completes the wellness offering.
Many larger yachts, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, also feature medical clinics that are kitted out with all the latest technologies and staffed by experienced doctors and nurses who are on hand to offer medical care if needed. The trend for wellness on yachts is being led by owners who are using their vessels as second homes rather than just for holidays. Of course, there will always be a time for Champagne-fueled parties and opulent dinners, but it seems that for the modern owner who knows that health equals wealth, a well equipped spa can provide the right balance.
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