Luxury Hospitality Sets Sail: Hotels at Sea
Luxury hospitality is no longer defined by static locations. The world’s leading hotel brands are extending their signature service, design, and exclusivity beyond resorts and villas, bringing it to the open seas.
This summer, as the Mediterranean season reaches its height, a new class of travel is unfolding: hotel‑branded yachts. They offer the intimacy of a private vessel, the meticulous service of a five‑star property, and the constant thrill of waking to a new horizon.
Why Yachts, Why Now?
The most loyal guests of luxury hotels seek more than a single destination—they want an experience that moves with them. Yachts provide exactly that:
Brand Continuity: The same hospitality, cuisine, and design aesthetic guests expect on land.
Privacy and Exclusivity: With far fewer suites than traditional cruise ships, these yachts feel intimate and serene.
Tailored Itineraries: Access to coves, islands, and harbours that larger vessels cannot reach.
Seasonal Relevance: Mediterranean summers, Caribbean winters—always aligned with where their guests want to be.
The Leaders at Sea
Four Seasons Yachts
The debut yacht, Four Seasons I, is set to launch in January 2026. She will begin in the Caribbean before repositioning to the Mediterranean in spring. With just 95 suites, each with a private terrace, the vessel has been designed to feel like a residential retreat. The centrepiece is the four‑level Funnel Suite—over 9,500 square feet including a pool, spa, and panoramic deck. Voyages will include more than 30 itineraries in the first year, visiting over 130 destinations.
The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection
With Evrima and Ilma already in service, and Luminara launched in July 2025, Ritz‑Carlton’s yacht collection is now firmly established. Luminara is the largest of the fleet, carrying 226 suites—each with a private terrace. Mediterranean voyages this summer range from Monte Carlo to Portofino, Cannes to Rome. Beyond summer, itineraries expand to the Baltic, Iceland, and Alaska.
Aman at Sea – Amangati
Scheduled to launch in 2027, Amangati will be a 183‑metre, 47‑suite vessel created in partnership with SINOT Yacht Architecture & Design. True to Aman’s ethos, the yacht will focus on privacy, wellness, and connecting remote coastlines with the understated elegance that defines the brand.
What This Means for Luxury Travel
Hotel‑branded yachts are bridging the gap between resort luxury and ocean exploration. They create a hybrid: the comfort of a five‑star property, combined with the freedom to discover a new destination each day.
As more brands follow Four Seasons, Ritz‑Carlton, and Aman, the concept of a “floating hotel” will become a cornerstone of ultra‑luxury travel.
For now, the Mediterranean summer belongs to these pioneers—setting sail with the same grace, detail, and exclusivity that have defined their names on land.
Ready to explore the world’s most exclusive waters in unparalleled style? The Betesh Group will craft your voyage aboard one of these extraordinary yachts, where every horizon is yours to discover.