Better on a Boat: 4 Decadent Experiences to Try This Summer
From spa treatments to champagne tastings and art installations, these unique vessels offer culturally rich events mixed with the joie de vivre of life on the water
It’s easy to get swept away in the fantasy of yacht life—shimmering blue water, dreamy destinations, warm sun, cool breeze. However, a new wave of artfully appointed vessels are offering more than a glamorous way to travel from port to fabulous port.
This summer, hospitality brands, art fairs, and spa collections are reimagining a variety of beautiful boats to immerse guests in unique one-of-a-kind experiences that are both literally and figuratively transportive. Guests can sample decadent gourmet meals beneath the Eiffel Tower while taking in breathtaking views of the Seine, explore the Mediterranean alongside groundbreaking works of art, or feel rejuvenated with an exquisite facial as they drift off to the gentle rocking of the waves.
Here, a look at four exceptional ways to enjoy both time on the water and unparalleled luxury.
1. The Cabana at Montauk Yacht Club
Who doesn’t find themselves drifting away during the restorative treatments found in some of the world’s most heavenly spas? This summer, La Prairie debuts its first-ever seasonal spa at the Montauk Yacht Club, transforming the resort’s Cabana with its indulgent products. Visitors can unwind with exclusive Skin Caviar and Platinum facial treatments, like the Caviar resculpting eye lift, a sensual facial treatment that targets the delicate skin around the eyes. A second water cabana houses a selection of body wraps, massages, and other wellness treatments.
2. Les Bateaux Belmond
It’s often been said that to truly see a city, one must view it from the water. The same can be said for France’s Champagne region, where Belmond’s Coquelicot serves up an alternative option for taking in the scenic landscape via picturesque canals. Artfully appointed by firm Humbert & Poyet, the bespoke barge boasts a spacious top deck ideal for watching the sunset with an ever-changing backdrop of renowned vineyards. Equally enchanting are the sumptuous cabins and baths outfitted in stunning materials like walnut paneling and Calacatta Oro marble.
3. Art Explora
This summer, the sea-faring museum Art Explora brings a multidimensional cultural adventure to countries bordering the Mediterranean. Working in collaboration with the Musée du Louvre, the French entrepreneur, arts patron, and adventurer Frédéric Jousset tapped architects Axel de Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier to design the 47-meter catamaran, which will host immersive installations and artist residencies. Pavilions erected at port cities will carry the affair onto dry land with exhibitions of film, virtual reality, and art, including the exclusive show “Under the Azure Sky,” which spotlights talents inspired by the Mediterranean, from Etel Adnan to Joan Miró.
4. Le Noti Club
Paris may have its share of restaurants with delectable cuisine, beautiful design, and jaw-dropping views. None, however, has quite the same unique combination as Le Noti Club. Floating on the Seine just below the Eiffel Tower, the intimate restaurant, bar, and private event space boasts interiors devised by Jordane Arrivetz, a Galerie Creative Mind. “We really tried to create some curves and have something sexy and sensual with a lot of textures and very soft shapes,” Arrivetz says. Guests can enjoy a variety of shared plates in the restaurant, meet for cocktails in the bar or on the quayside terrace, or hop on board one of the club’s smaller boats for a wine-filled cruise.
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2024 Summer Issue under the headline “Tidal Shift.” Subscribe to the magazine.