Aboard and lodging: Luxury hotels with their own watercraft
Whether you're after a salon boat, superyacht, speedboat or floating street-art installation, these resorts are making waves
Pulitzer Amsterdam's The Tourist
Located in 25 interlinking 17th and 18th century houses in the historic central canal belt of Amsterdam's fashionable Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) district, the Pulitzer retains its authentic Dutch charm after its recent refurbishment by Jacu Strauss, a former senior designer at Tom Dixon. Intriguing architecture and first-rate style credentials aside, the real draw is the hotel's very own traditional salon boat, The Tourist, moored just outside. Built in 1909, she's a real beauty – all marble surfaces, bevelled glass, polished teak and brass detailing. Winston Churchill explored Amsterdam on board back in 1946 and today, visitors can set off on daily city cruises or opt for a romantic private tour complete with picnic and champagne.
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The Wellesley's MY The Wellesley
MY The Wellesley is a new venture combining the five-star luxury of the eponymous Knightsbridge hotel with the appeal of an altogether sunnier climate. The 183ft superyacht is currently moored in the Med, with plans to set sail to the Caribbean come winter. Its lavish interiors are designed to mirror the Art Deco elegance of its Knightsbridge counterpart, but an unashamedly extravagant roster of A-list amenities puts it on an entirely new level of indulgence. A jacuzzi and outdoor cinema, plus on-board massages and cognac and cigar tastings, are all part of the experience for up to 12 lucky guests at a time – not to mention the ever-changing backdrop of chic coastal towns and secluded beaches to explore at your leisure.
Hotel Eden Roc's Riva Aquarama
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The pretty Swiss town of Ascona offers the best of both worlds – on the shores of Lake Maggiore, it's just a stone's throw from Italy and enjoys a pleasant year-round Mediterranean climate as a result. Life here is very much lived on the water and the deluxe Hotel Eden Roc, renowned for its quirky interiors by "maximinimalist" Swiss architect Carlo Rampazzi, is ideally located to take advantage of it all. An abundance of aqua activities, including waterskiing, kayaking, sailing, paddle-boarding and banana-boat trips, is at your disposal here. Those with a penchant for 1960s-style silver-screen glamour should not miss the chance to take a leisurely trip on the hotel's elegant "old-timer" speedboat, Riva Aquarama. Make a foray in style across the lake to an Italian food market or explore the scenic valleys of Ticino.
W Maldives' Marilyn
The W Maldives is spearheading an exciting new era of the hotel. As part of the luxury resort's Let it Glow initiative, which puts a modern spin on the normally sedate Maldivian aesthetic, New York street artist Alec Monopoly – who counts Madonna, Snoop Dogg and Miley Cyrus among his fans – was invited to inject some serious street cred to this picturesque island paradise. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Monopoly was let loose on the unique (and pricey) blank canvas of the W's private speedboat, resulting in a vibrant neon design inspired by the Maldives' colourful marine life and fluorescent plankton. The rejuvenated Marilyn is available for guests to hire for day trips and private excursions.