Boutique Superyachts launches new winter wellness retreat

I’m not really a boat lover.

Still, on the top floor of the Sea Breeze III with a glass of champagne in hand and a sunset over Auckland Harbor in front of me, I realized something; I am, without a doubt, a luxury superyacht.

“I could really get used to it,” sighed the woman next to me, who had also been invited for a taste of what guests will experience at Boutique Superyacht’s new three-night wellness retreat.

I agreed, but deep down I knew that the second I swapped my scuffed sneakers for a pair of soft slippers and boarded the 105ft 5-level yacht, I was already much too used to it.

Calling Sea Breeze III a yacht is misleading as if it doesn’t also have deluxe six-person en-suite bedrooms, a full cocktail bar, lounge, dining area and an outdoor hot tub.

“We call it a floating hotel,” owner and manager Charlotte Devereaux said, leading us through the living room, past the small kitchen, and downstairs to the bedrooms. Between the rich mahogany paneling, plush comforters, and ornate decor, only the soft rock reminded us we weren’t in a grand hotel suite.

The bedrooms exude vintage B&B, while upstairs things take a more whimsical turn, deftly blending several interior styles from the mid-18th century to Hollywood Regency. Vintage tables stand alongside navy blue velvet sofas decorated with pastel cushions. In the center of the room, an antique coffee table has been repainted in light pink while an old school style bar in order is ready for whenever you fancy a cocktail or a kombucha.

The result is a space that manages to strike that fine balance between luxury and comfort where you feel like everything is a bit special and chic, but you can still sit on the couch.

After the tour we headed to the upper deck where yoga mats had been prepared for a 30 minute class. As you would expect the slight rocking makes it a little harder to balance but as we passed Devonport I couldn’t deny it was one of the most scenic places I’ve been a dog down.

As you’d expect from a 4-day ‘wellness retreat’, yoga is on the menu along with meditation classes, forest bathing and a private chef who cooks up nourishing meals on board.

However, for Devereaux, wellness is as much about doing fun things as it is about doing healthy things. So between detox drinks and day hikes, guests can enjoy evening cocktails (or mocktails), professional massages and an onboard hot tub.

Considering how my busy brain slowed down and my tight chest calmed down after just three hours, I could only imagine what four days of luxurious treatments would do.

However, the finer things in life don’t come cheap and a Superyacht wellness charter is no exception.

A master suite with a super king bed and an ensuite will set you back $19,500, or $12,250 each if you’re going as a couple. While the two twin bedrooms, which each have two single beds and a bathroom, cost $9,000 per person or $15,500 for you alone.

If you prefer something a little easier on the wallet and the schedule, they also have a 3-hour option, which includes food, drinks, and yoga for six people starting at $495 per person.