Torn between a land-based holiday and a superyacht charter? Then why not combine the two and choose a hotel that has its own yacht. Whether you’re after day charters, water sports, or overnight stays, several luxurious properties have yacht-based offerings for those who want to spend their precious time out on the waves. Discover BOAT International's selection of luxury hotels with their own yachts for a hotel-charter hybrid...
Bequia Beach Hotel, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Nestled in the heart of one of the most picturesque cruising grounds of the Caribbean guests at the Bequia Beach Hotel can enjoy a stay on board the 34.5 metre Star of the Sea. The classic Benetti yacht offers a true superyacht experience with seven crew on board to ensure the finest service. Her expansive deck spaces, which include a Jacuzzi and multiple al fresco dining areas, are perfect for enjoying the Caribbean sunshine while her stylish interior can accommodate up to 12 guests, and can she can be booked on a per cabin basis on request.
With Bequia as her home port all of St Vincent and the Grenadines are available to explore. Opt for a three-day trip to take in Mustique, home to millionaires including Celine Dion and Mick Jagger, the Tobago Cays National Park and Union Island. During your time on board, you can swim with green turtles, experience world-class snorkelling and enjoy a fresh lobster BBQ on the beach.
Naladhu Private Island, the Maldives
The white sands of Naladhu Private Island spring from a turquoise lagoon in a remote expanse of the Indian Ocean with only two neighboring islands in sight. With just 20 villas, it is one of the Maldives’ most private retreats. As you touch down at Velana International Airport, you’ll be whisked directly from the terminal to the island on the resort’s own Sunseeker. This luxurious vessel, however, isn’t just a mode of transferring guests from the airport – it’s on hand for day charters and trips so that guests can gain the very best marine experiences in the Maldives.
D-Maris Bay, Datça Peninsula, Turkey
Perched on a rocky outcrop opposite the Dodecanese Islands, D-Maris Bay Hotel overlooks the scenic point where the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean meet. Topping the leagues as one of the most luxurious hotels in Turkey, it’s not surprising that D-Maris bay is also a superyacht haven, with its own private marina, and specialised yacht guests programme.
There are three luxury yachts available for charter and day tours at the group, including 16 metre motor yacht Alia Opensea. The hotel has plenty of custom itineraries to hand that cover nearby islands and towns on a private tour with your own crew. Guests can choose to charter by the day, or make a trip of it and embark on an overnight adventure.
Thanda Private Island, Tanzania
Cast off the Tanzanian coast, Thanda appears as a perfect teardrop shape, encircled by immaculate white sands and coral reefs. The immaculate private island lies within the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve and surrounded by nothing by the shimmering turquoise waters off the African coastline. With no other land in sight, Thanda Island is a thalassophile’s dream and the perfect place to frolic in the ocean, perhaps catching a glimpse of a tiger shark, which reside in these waters.
Few places on earth could offer such a tranquil place to hit the waves and the island has its very own stock of boats that tick every box. For those after a more traditional sailing experience, guests can ride the trade winds on a traditional Arab dhow or opt to charter Thanda’s 34 metre classic motor yacht, Over the Rainbow. If it’s water sports or marine biology you’re after then, the island has several motor yachts that cover all the bases.
The Wellesley, London
While the luxurious London boutique hotel, The Wellesley may not seem like your typical superyacht-friendly choice, the property is offering guests its iconic Art Deco style in floating form with its 56.2 metre superyacht. Built by Oceanco in 1993, The Wellesley matches the hotel's 1920s styling. She offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in six cabins with each suite aiming to be a “seamless extension of the hotel”. The master suite on the lower deck is particularly striking and features leather panelling, rich mahogany and bronze detailing.
The dining experience also shares similarities with the hotel with formal dinners set using Baccarat crystal, Christofle silverware and Wedgwood crockery. There are also two large dining areas for al fresco dining if you want a more informal experience. She also offers fantastic deck spaces for those wanting to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine, not always possible at the hotel’s Hyde Park setting. She has a large splash pool on her sundeck surrounded by sun pads to relax on afterwards.
Hotel Union Øye, 62 Nord, Norway
Sitting at the mouth of the sequestered fjord hamlet of Øye on Norway’s west coast, the hotel Union Øye is surrounded by nothing but gargantuan, green-carpeted peaks and plunging waterfalls that echo through the valley as they tumble to the earth. Having first opened its doors in 1891, it’s no wonder that famous writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes considered Union Øye a greatly inspiring place to reside.
With well-trodden original flagstones, ornate panelled walls and a library stocked with the owner’s personal collection of exploration first editions, Union Øye is an elegant monocular into the past. And with such an affiliation with exploration, it’s only fitting that the hotel group, 62 Nord would have several yachts to entertain guests on the water. Those staying at the hotel can choose to meander the vertiginous fjords on board the Fjord Explorer, with a capacity for 30 guests. From the hotel, guests will spend the day basking in the glory of Hjørundfjord, one of the most extraordinary fjords in all of Norway, deep within the Sunnmøre Alps. But for those after something more adventurous, 62 Nord also offers a bespoke sea safari on board one of its speed boats.