REPORTAGE – Built in France by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Weatherthe second ship launched by the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, is inaugurated today in the Mediterranean. The Figaro embarked exclusively before its first official cruise.
At the end of August, the yacht Weather is moored facing the bay of Saint-Tropez, and the first notes of the Nocturnes Chopin’s notes gently escape, enveloping the breakfast in a period scent. No, we are not in George Sand’s hushed living room in Nohant, but two centuries later, on a new giant of the seas. Weatheras it is called, is 241 meters long, nearly 30 meters wide, and boasts the highest ratio of space at sea and crew members per passenger in the floating luxury industry. “We can accommodate up to 448 passengers and almost as many crew members. That’s the special thing about luxury, it’s almost one for one,” explains Ernesto Fara, president and financial director of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Marriott group).
Exceptional gastronomy and experiences on board
Yan Bernard-Guilbaud / Le Figaro
Two swimming pools, one of which is an infinity pool, five restaurants, seven bars… This jewel estimated at 400 million dollars is not just a pile of numbers and superlatives. It is a world apart, an experience that begins with the first bite and never really ends. Fabio Trabocchi, a Michelin-starred chef, delights with his Italian cuisine at Seta su Ilma, while Michael Mina takes your taste buds on a journey at the Beach House. And when the time comes to dive into the night, there is nothing better than a signature cocktail, sipped on deck 10, your gaze lost in infinity.
But don’t think that everything here is limited to gastronomy, even if it reigns supreme. No, Weatherit’s an invitation to do everything, or nothing at all. A revitalizing treatment? The huge spa has 11 cabins. A perfect shave? The expert barber at Pisterzi, a favorite of New Yorkers and Milanese, offers exclusive services. A diamond set? A Bulgari boutique is open every day. A kayak ride? Weather has a marina at the stern to enjoy water sports directly from the yacht. Here, every desire becomes reality, in all simplicity, of course.
Yan Bernard-Guilbaud / Le Figaro
Explore further, enjoy the moment
True luxury, they tell you, is having time. Time to explore the ports, visit a private museum with a guide, get lost in the alleys of Saint-Tropez, or wander without having to watch the time. Anchoring at night allows you to get a taste of local life, to let the evening slip away, a drink in hand.Through this ultimate comfort, this diversification of rare experiences and new destinations, it is emotion that we seek to create.adds to the Figaro Tina Edmundson, President of Luxury at Marriott International. Entering the ultra-luxury yacht market was interesting for us because 50% of our clients are new to cruising. »
L’Weather is not the first in his line, Evrima was launched in the fall of 2022, but it marks a turning point. The first liquefied natural gas-powered yacht in the fleet, this beautiful 46,750-ton baby was carefully built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire. Her maiden voyage begins on September 2 in Monte Carlo and will continue until the end of October, before leaving the Mediterranean for the shores of the Americas. What could be more chic?
A tribute to art and culture
The interior architecture is by the studios Chapi Chapo and AD Associates, two experts in hotel and maritime design. Everything is elegance. But it is above all the fluidity of the circulation between each space that has been perfectly imagined. A very smooth transition between the rooms and the terraces, the corridors and the restaurants… But also between the interior and the exterior. Alejandra Obregon, Director of Architecture and Design at The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, insists on the fact that ” The design is based on the idea of a combination of past, present and future, drawing on influences from private yachting. And it works. Everything is there to soak up the azure waters and the coasts that the yacht crisscrosses: precious wood, beautifully upholstered sofas, leather furniture, thick carpets and even household linens by Frette… All sourcing was carried out in Europe, particularly in Italy and Portugal. ” Art lovers will not be left out: nearly 700 works are exhibited throughout the boat.
Yan Bernard-Guilbaud / Le Figaro
Among others, we will notice a painting by Picasso, another by Regina Scully or even this blue turtle signed Andy Warhol. At the entrance to the spa, do not miss The Divera work by David Hockney, and immerse yourself in the poetry of designer Pia Maria Rader. The three pieces in his Sea Anemones series, inspired by the depths of the oceans, were specially designed for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionAlejandra Obregon explains to us. It took a lot of fighting to get the artist to agree to create these hybrid beings at the crossroads of the living and the fantastic.. » The tailor-made and sophistication of private yachts.
The comfort of the suites: silence, we sleep!
Te Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
In the 224 suites (we’re not talking about cabins here), equally meticulous attention has been paid to detail. Each has a huge bay window and a private terrace – with daybedthus offering accommodation bathed in light. We tested a Signature suite: 52 m² including 14 m² of balcony with a real bedroom and a living room with sofa, offering more privacy. Here, fairly neutral shades of beige marble rub shoulders with pretty colored textures, the oak furniture is elegant and very well made. Just like the lighting system, which evolves according to the time of day. Our “Suite ambassador”, a combination of butler and concierge, shows us around while explaining how the home automation works. Thank you. As for the bathroom, it is like the boat: luxurious. Shower and bathtub, two sinks, separate toilet… More marble, perfectly lit mirrors, Dyptique care products, Dyson hairdryer… Finally, since the king-size bedding, that of the Ritz-Carlton of course, is impeccable, the strong point is above all the silence. We don’t know by what miracle no noise from outside enters the cabin. Happiness.
Last but not leastthe Owner suites. There are 8 on board, with surfaces of up to 100 m². And then there are the jewels in the crown, the Marina suites, which with their huge terraces give direct access to the sea. All that’s left to do is take out your best credit card: the basic rate (without meals or excursions) starts at €10,100 per person for 7 nights in the Mediterranean. Luxury always has a price, but on theWeatherwe no longer count. We simply savor.
ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com
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