Charter yachts are sometimes likened to personal floating resorts. Conveniences like air conditioning and electricity aboard even private megayachts are called the hotel load. Now, the hotel analogy takes on new meaning, as there’s actually a hotel operating a megayacht for charter. The yacht, and the hotel, are each known as The Wellesley.
The hotel is in London’s Knightsbridge section, with just 36 rooms in a 1920s-era building. The decor found throughout follows an Art Deco theme. The hotel management refitted the yacht, built by Oceanco in 1993, at Sunrise Yachts to match.
The refit wrapped up earlier this year and resulted in significant changes. For one, the yacht grew 21 feet. She measured 163 feet (9.68 meters) pre-refit, when known as Anedigmi. She was that same length dating back to her original launch, as Achiever. A number of technical upgrades took place, too.
The changes that guests will most notice, though, are the cosmetic ones. A number of new features and rooms are aboard The Wellesley. Rather than have a skylounge, she has a cigar lounge. Formally called the Club Lounge, it has a custom humidor. Select your favorite: Cohibas to Montecristos and more are available. You can also indulge in your favorite cognac. The alfresco area aft welcomes sippers and smokers alike.
Speaking of alfresco areas, due to the new 184-foot (56.15-meter) LOA, The Wellesley has 3,767 square feet (350 square meters) of outside relaxation space. They include the sundeck, with a waterfall-enhanced pool for eight. The sundeck turns into the movie deck at night. Active guests can sample a slew of watertoys, ranging from PWCs to SeaBobs and inflatable kayaks to stand-up paddleboards. Ask the crew to set up the inflatable slide, leading from the sundeck straight to the water. Swimmers can enjoy safe dips just off the transom in a netted pool. The Wellesley lets those of you who want to stay dry watch the action from the beach club. Nearly 26 feet (8 meters) wide, it has a side-opening platform in addition to the aft one.
The Wellesley treats guests in staterooms the same way the hotel does on land. Even the bathrobes and amenities are the same as in the hotel. As for the staterooms, the names of two may confuse you. There’s both an Owner’s Suite and a Master Suite. Choosing one comes down to location preference, and your needs. The Owner’s Suite is on the upper deck. An adjacent twin cabin is good for personal staff. The Master Suite, meanwhile, is full beam below decks. Your family and friends can select the main-deck VIP Suite or three below-decks staterooms. Those three convert from twins to doubles, too.
The 1920s decor, with leather, mahogany, bronze, and more, complements that of the hotel, due to them sharing the interior designer Dennis Irvine.
Incidentally, the hotel also has The Wellesley II, yet another megayacht. She’s a 106-foot (32.4-meter) Falcon refitted in 2013. Like The Wellesley, she, too, charters in the Med and the Caribbean.
Both yachts are available for charter via your preferred charter broker.
Leave a Reply