“Yacht hotel” covers three kinds of stay. As of October 2026, four luxury hotel brands have their own ocean-going cruise yachts, and three of them are sailing: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (three yachts, since 2022), Four Seasons Yachts (Four Seasons I, since 20 March 2026) and Orient Express (Orient Express Corinthian, since May 2026). Aman’s cruise yacht, Amangati, starts sailing in May 2027. The second kind is a ship permanently moored as a hotel, such as Sunborn Gibraltar, which Sunborn calls the world’s first five-star yacht hotel. The third is a land resort with its own yacht for guest charters, such as the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli and its Azimut yacht Norma.
Comparison of hotel-brand yachts and floating hotels
| Yacht or hotel | Type | Where | In service | Suites or rooms | Largest suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Seasons I | Hotel-brand yacht | Mediterranean (summer), Caribbean and Bahamas (winter) | March 2026 | 95 suites | Funnel Suite, 927 m² (9,975 sq ft) |
| Orient Express Corinthian | Hotel-brand sailing yacht | Mediterranean and Adriatic, Caribbean in winter | May 2026 | 54 suites | Zephyr penthouse, 231 m² (2,486 sq ft) plus terrace |
| Ritz-Carlton Ilma and Luminara | Hotel-brand yachts | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe; Luminara also Asia-Pacific and Alaska | 2024 and 2025 | 224 and 226 suites | Owner’s Suite, up to 1,000 sq ft |
| Ritz-Carlton Evrima | Hotel-brand yacht | Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe | October 2022 | 149 suites | Owner’s Suite |
| Amangati (Aman at Sea) | Hotel-brand yacht | Mediterranean | From May 2027 | 47 suites | Aman Suite, 354 m² (3,810 sq ft) |
| Sunborn Gibraltar | Moored yacht hotel | Ocean Village, Gibraltar | 2014 | 189 rooms and suites | Not published |
| Sunborn London | Moored yacht hotel | Royal Victoria Dock, London | 2014 (current vessel) | 133 rooms and 5 suites | Yacht Executive Suite |
| Zambezi Queen by Mantis | River boat hotel | Chobe River, southern Africa | Operating | 14 suites | Luxury Suite |
Sizes and counts come from each operator’s own site or press release unless noted below. Square-metre figures for Orient Express suites are converted from the square feet the operator publishes.
Hotel-brand yachts
Four Seasons I (Four Seasons Yachts)
Four Seasons I left on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean on 20 March 2026, 65 years to the day after the first Four Seasons hotel opened. It is 207 metres long, built by Fincantieri, with 95 suites, no interior cabins and a one-to-one guest-to-staff ratio. Four Seasons runs it with Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, which is joint owner and operator.
- Largest suite: the Funnel Suite, 927 m² (9,975 sq ft), three bedrooms, at the prow. The Loft Suite is nearly 743 m² (8,000 sq ft) with an aft terrace and can connect to seven more suites for up to 20 people (AFAR, March 2026).
- Suites: 500 to 9,975 sq ft. The seven largest have two or three bedrooms.
- Families: more than 100 connecting-suite options (AFAR). Fares include lunch and dinner for children under 12; for adults, fares are per suite and exclude lunch, dinner, drinks and excursions (AFAR, March 2026).
- Dining: 11 restaurants and lounges. Sedna hosts a chef-in-residence series with chefs from Michelin-starred Four Seasons restaurants, including Christian Le Squer of Le Cinq, Paris.
- On board: L’Oceana Spa with hammam and thermal circuit, and a transverse marina that opens on both sides of the ship.
- Fares: AFAR reported initial sailings from around $20,000 for the smallest suites to just under $200,000 for the Funnel Suite (31 March 2026).
- Next: Four Seasons II is due in 2027.
Orient Express Corinthian (Orient Express Sailing Yachts)
Orient Express Corinthian was named at Saint-Nazaire on 29 April 2026 and began its maiden voyage on 2 May. It sails the Mediterranean and Adriatic from May to October 2026, then crosses to the Caribbean for winter. At 220 metres it is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Its three automated SolidSail rigs, built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, gave 12 knots under sail alone in 20 knots of wind during sea trials in February 2026.
- Suites: 54, from 45 to 230 m², each with a 3.6-metre panoramic window.
- Largest suites: six penthouse suites. Zephyr is 2,486 sq ft with a 1,206 sq ft terrace. Agatha Christie is 2,422 sq ft with a 1,938 sq ft terrace and its own fitness room.
- Families: four penthouse suites (Agatha Christie, Zephyr, Meltem and Sirocco) have two bedrooms and sleep four.
- Dining: five restaurants under Yannick Alléno, including La Table de l’Orient-Express, and eight bars.
- On board: Guerlain spa, a 16.5-metre swimming lane, a pool and a marina.
- Next: sister ship Orient Express Olympian floated out on 17 April 2026 and is expected in 2027.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: Evrima, Ilma and Luminara
The Ritz-Carlton announced its yacht line in 2017 as the first luxury hotel brand to launch its own yachts. Evrima entered service in October 2022, more than three years late after its Spanish shipyard collapsed. Ilma followed on 2 September 2024 and Luminara in July 2025, both built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique and powered by LNG.
| Yacht | Length | Suites | Guests | In service | Forbes Travel Guide (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evrima | 190 m | 149 | 298 | October 2022 | Four-Star |
| Ilma | about 241 m | 224 | 448 | September 2024 | Five-Star |
| Luminara | about 241 m | 226 | 452 | July 2025 | Not yet rated |
- Suites: every suite has a private terrace. The top category is the Owner’s Suite, with up to 1,000 sq ft of living space and a terrace whirlpool.
- Dining: Luminara has five restaurants and seven bars. The line names Michelin-starred chefs Sven Elverfeld (Aqua, formerly at The Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg), Fabio Trabocchi and Michael Mina; its venues include S.E.A. and Talaat Nam.
- Fares: marketed as all-inclusive of dining, drinks and gratuities. Prices are by quote on the official site.
- Points: voyages earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.
The Financial Times reported in June 2026 that the company had lost nearly $700 million since its founding. Its lenders agreed a refinancing, with shareholders committing a further $275 million (The Maritime Executive, 2 June 2026).
Amangati (Aman at Sea), from May 2027
Amangati is Aman’s first cruising yacht. It is not yet in service: the official site says sailings start in spring 2027, and Seatrade Cruise News reported a Mediterranean debut in May 2027.
- Size: 180 metres, nine decks, 47 suites, 94 guests.
- Largest suite: the Aman Suite, 354 m² (3,810 sq ft), with its own spa. Combined with the adjoining Premier Suite it becomes a two-bedroom suite of 416.4 m² (4,482 sq ft).
- Other suites: start at 49.2 m² plus terrace (Seatrade). The two Premier Fore Suites can form two- or three-bedroom configurations.
- On board: eight bar and dining venues and an Aman Spa with eight treatment suites.
- Fares: Seatrade reported an entry fare of about $7,300 per suite per night, and $25,000 to $30,000 a night for the Aman Suite (26 January 2026).
Moored yacht hotels and boat hotels
Sunborn Gibraltar
Sunborn Gibraltar opened in 2014 in Ocean Village marina. Sunborn calls it the world’s first five-star yacht hotel. It has 189 rooms and suites across seven floors, a ballroom, a spa, a top-floor restaurant, a pool and bars. On 9 October 2026 the official site listed a deluxe room with breakfast at £280 a night for two.
Sunborn London
Sunborn has had a yacht hotel at Royal Victoria Dock, next to ExCeL, since 2003. The current, larger vessel replaced the first in 2014. It has 133 rooms and 5 suites. The Yacht Executive Suites face forward, sleep up to four and have a sundeck. On 9 October 2026 the official site’s lowest listed rate was £133 a night, room only.
Newham Council granted planning permission on 29 June 2026 to replace the hotel with a new seven-deck vessel of 223 rooms and suites on a permanent mooring. No replacement date had been published as of October 2026.
Zambezi Queen by Mantis, Chobe River
A 42-metre river boat on the Chobe River, with views of Chobe National Park. It has 14 suites: 10 averaging 14.4 m² and 4 larger Luxury Suites. The guest-to-crew ratio is 3:2. Stays are all-inclusive, with two-night sailings from Monday and Wednesday and three-night sailings from Friday.
Aphrodite Cruise, Ha Long Bay
A mid-priced overnight cruise boat, not a luxury hotel, kept from the 2021 edition because it is still running. Agencies list it as built in 2014, with two boats of 17 cabins each. Cabins are 17 m²; the Terrace Suite and Family Suite are 22 m². Cruises are overnight, from Ha Long Bay.
Resorts that run their own yacht
These are land hotels whose own yachts guests can charter. Room counts and Michelin Keys are from the MICHELIN Guide; Forbes ratings are from Forbes Travel Guide, both checked 9 October 2026.
| Hotel | Location | Yacht | Overnight on board | Rooms | MICHELIN Keys | Forbes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One&Only Reethi Rah | North Malé Atoll, Maldives | Private yacht, catamaran or dhoni charters | Not published | 118 | Two | Five-Star |
| The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli | Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives | Norma, Azimut Flybridge 66 | Yes | 77 | – | Five-Star |
| Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui | Koh Samui, Thailand | Minor Affair, 18 m Sunseeker, up to 12 guests | Not published | 70 | Two | Four-Star |
| Six Senses Zighy Bay | Musandam, Oman | Dhahab, traditional Omani dhow | Yes, one or two nights | 79 | Two | Four-Star |
| The Gritti Palace | Venice, Italy | Riva Aquariva Super | No, day trips | 82 | Two | Four-Star |
| Principe Forte dei Marmi | Tuscany, Italy | 24 m Mazarin yacht, 3 cabins | Not published | 28 | One | – |
| AYANA Komodo Resort | Labuan Bajo, Indonesia | AYANA Lako di’a, 54 m phinisi, 9 cabins | Yes, multi-day | – | – | – |
| Huvafen Fushi | North Malé Atoll, Maldives | Private yacht charters | Not published | – | – | – |
| Pangkor Laut Resort | Straits of Malacca, Malaysia | Luxury yachts for charter | Not published | – | – | – |
A dash means not checked or not listed.
One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
Two MICHELIN Keys and Forbes Five-Star. The resort offers private yacht, catamaran and dhoni charters, from sunrise sails to sunset dolphin cruises. It does not publish yacht names or sizes. For more Maldives options see our guide to overwater villas.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
Forbes Five-Star. Its yacht Norma is an Azimut Flybridge 66, chartered privately for diving trips, family days, sunset cruises or overnight trips.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
Two MICHELIN Keys, awarded in 2026. Minor Affair is the resort’s 18-metre (60-foot) Sunseeker for up to 12 guests. Two 13.5-metre speedboats, CocoBay and CocoCay, take up to six each. Trips include island caves, lagoons, snorkelling and sunset cruises.
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Two MICHELIN Keys. Dhahab, a refurbished hand-built Omani dhow, sails the Musandam fjords on one- or two-night private voyages, with a private chef, kayaks and snorkelling (Six Senses, September 2022).
The Gritti Palace, Venice
Two MICHELIN Keys. The hotel’s Riva Aquariva Super is used for private lagoon trips. In October 2026 its “Stay & Riva Yacht Experience” package included a two-hour Riva tour with Champagne, with full-day tours on request.
Principe Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany
One MICHELIN Key, 28 rooms. The hotel’s 24-metre Mazarin yacht has a flybridge and three cabins: two king suites and one twin, each with a bathroom. It departs from Viareggio for the Gulf of Poets, Palmaria Island, Portovenere and Portofino.
AYANA Komodo Resort, Labuan Bajo
AYANA Lako di’a is a 54-metre phinisi with nine cabins for up to 18 guests, in three classes. The Master Suite is 69 m². Multi-day cruises around Komodo include meals and a personalised itinerary.
Huvafen Fushi and Pangkor Laut Resort
Both still list private yacht charters on their websites. Neither publishes yacht details. The 2022 edition named Huvafen Fushi’s yacht as Silver Surf; the current site does not.
Aman’s Amandira and Four Seasons Explorer
Two more yachts run by hotel brands, smaller than the ocean yachts above:
- Amandira (Aman), Indonesia: a 52-metre two-masted phinisi with five cabins for up to 10 guests and a crew of 14, including two chefs, a dive master and a spa therapist. Voyages include a seven-night Komodo expedition.
- Four Seasons Explorer, Palau: a 39-metre, three-deck catamaran with 10 cabins and a suite, a PADI five-star dive centre and a spa. It left the Maldives for Palau in late 2023. Divernet reported rates from US$2,800 per cabin per night for two (December 2023).
How we chose
This is our selection, not a ranking. A yacht or boat qualifies if a hotel brand runs it, or if it operates as a hotel and is still trading as of October 2026. Resorts qualify if they run their own yacht for guests, as shown on their own website. Accolades are listed only where we found them on guide.michelin.com or forbestravelguide.com on 9 October 2026.
What changed since the 2021 and 2022 editions
This page merges our 2021 yacht hotels guide with our 2022 list of luxury hotels with yachts.
Added: Four Seasons I, Orient Express Corinthian, Ritz-Carlton Ilma and Luminara, Amangati, Amandira and Four Seasons Explorer.
Updated: in 2021 the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection had not sailed. Evrima launched in October 2022.
Removed from the 2021 list, as outside a luxury guide: Lady Anita (Gibraltar), Boat Aiolis (Mykonos), Y-Knot Boatel (Lymington), Houseboat Hotels (Sheffield), Barco Casa Fuzeta (Portugal), Hotel Asile Flottant (Amsterdam) and Le Pirate Boatel (Labuan Bajo). We could not confirm that Domicil Yacht Hotel in Panama still operates. The Queen Mary in Long Beach reopened on 1 April 2023 after closing in 2020. It is a historic ship hotel rather than a luxury one, so it is no longer listed.
Removed from the 2022 list: The Wellesley, Knightsbridge. The 56-metre yacht named The Wellesley is a charter superyacht that was listed for sale through a broker in October 2025; we could not confirm a current yacht offer from the hotel. Cary Arms & Spa, Devon: we found no yacht offer on its website.