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Yachts for Sale

For aspiring yacht owners looking for a luxury yacht for sale, we have put together a fine selection of luxury yachts and megayachts for sale from all over the world. Search BOAT International's collection of superyachts for sale and filter by type, length, asking price or age. Narrow the results by selecting specific features, or browse by speed, designer and much more.

Explore luxury yachts for sale

Search for everything from motor yachts for sale from renowned Dutch yards including Feadship and Heesen , premium Italian names including Azimut , Sanlorenzo and Benetti , popular British builders Sunseeker and Princess , and American megayachts for sale from US yards such as Westport .

Our collection also features sailing yachts for sale from legendary names such as Royal Huisman , Perini Navi , Nautor's Swan and Jongert , as well as some of the most well-known explorer yachts for sale .

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Whether you’re considering your first charter or building your fifth yacht, Burgess has the expertise you need. Learn how our global brokerage team consistently sells more yachts like yours than anyone else. Talk to our charter team about personalised luxury yacht charter experiences. If you own a yacht, find out about our full-service support and if you plan to build a series or full-custom superyacht, find out how our experts can help you turn your vision into a reality.

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Yachts for Sale

1,893 Yachts for Sale Worldwide

Discover luxury yachts for sale with Northrop & Johnson, the world’s number-one boutique yacht brokerage. From power boats to sailing yachts, our selection of new and used superyachts covers the whole range of vessel types. Because of our strong relationships with shipyards and superyacht owners across the globe, we have access to thousands of luxury boats not publicly listed for sale. Whether you want to buy a modern superyacht or classic sailing yacht, our expert brokers are dedicated to helping you find the perfect superyacht for you.

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Search Yachts for Sale Around the World

Yachts come in all styles and sizes, ranging from 65′ (20m) to over 328′ (100m) in length, including 100ft (30m) ,  150ft (45m) , 160ft (50m), 200ft (60m) and much larger mega yachts . From motor yachts designed for coastal cruising and island hopping to sailing yachts made to circumnavigate the globe, there is a yacht for everyone. Northrop & Johnson offers a range of all types of luxury yachts for sale, including displacement and semi-displacement motor yachts, ice-class explorer yachts, pleasure cruisers, sportfish yachts, and sloop and ketch-rigged sailing yachts. You also may prefer to build a yacht from your favorite shipyard.

Buy the Perfect Yacht

Whether you are looking to buy a motor yacht, classic sailing yacht, superyacht or mega yacht, our team of yacht brokers will help you find the perfect vessel. If you’re just getting started in your superyacht search, use our website to browse thousands of new and used yachts for sale around the globe. But, don’t stop there. Contact a Northrop & Johnson yacht broker today and get access to more luxury yachts not publicly advertised for sale.

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Buy a yacht

Our market intelligence and extensive connections mean we can identify a yacht to meet your exact specifications, even before it comes to market. Or, for something truly unique, we can discuss your requirements for a new build.

Why buy with Yachting Partners International?

The yachts we specialise in are immensely sought after – but if you want to be the first to know, you need a partner with their finger on the pulse. Our incisive market intelligence tracks the merest whisper of a yacht entering the market – and we run an unparalleled database of buyers and sellers to create an ideal match. Motor or sailing yachts, we’re at your service, 24/7, with advice, personal tours and decades of experience to make sure you find the vessel most suited to you.

Build the ultimate yacht

When nothing quite meets your precise specifications, we can guide you through a design and build journey to create a real statement yacht. Using our long-standing relationships with leading architects, ship builders and interior designers, we’ll guide your vision, taking you from first pencil sketch to the champagne at launch – and beyond.

Buying is just the beginning

To enjoy your acquisition to the full, you need more than a great itinerary (although we can certainly help with that). You need to know every aspect is impeccably managed and that your yacht costs are being very carefully controlled. Our Yacht Management, Charter Management and Client Experience teams take care of every conceivable aspect from risk management to creating itineraries.

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Yachts for Sale

Why buy with YPI?

A selection of yacht to buy

INDEPENDENCE 110

• 33.5M (110FT)
• Floeth Yachts

• 49.6M (162.8FT)
• Wider Yachts

• 40M (131.3FT)
• CNT Castagnola

• 42.3m (138.5ft)
• Lusben - Benetti

Project Mirage 402

• 38.3m (125.10ft)

Fast & Furious

• 44.6m (146.4ft)

Project Mirage 401

• 38.35m (125.10ft)

• 28.5M (93.6FT)
• Wally Yachts

• 14.9M (48.9FT)

Considering a yacht purchase? Contact our sales team.

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YACHT BROKERS | LUXURY YACHTS FOR SALE

Featured yacht brands.

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Enjoy the life & escape on the water, testimonials.

I have captained several of their vessels and worked closely with one of their brokers, Capt. Rupert Covell, who is not only an ace captain with an attention to detail, but also an excellent communicator with a strong code of ethics. I am confident that anyone wishing to buy or sell a yacht with Rupert’s help will be very pleased with the result. Extremely knowledgeable and reliable!

I met Paul over 20 years ago when we were in pilot training together, we were both deployed in theater together back in 2006 and we had the pleasure of working together as colleagues at the same firm when our Active Duty service was complete. For all the years I’ve known him there is no one better at delivering on exactly what he has promised and providing the best service possible. Yachting and boating are shared passions for us both and I recently discussed running a yacht as a business with Paul. He hosted me at the Newport International Boat Show, he had the right appointments made and ensured we gained the most value for our time at the show. Whether you want a yacht for personal use or to run as a business venture Paul is an absolute must have person on your team.

Kenia Deulofeu is a quintessential go getter. Her professionalism puts you at ease allowing you to explore possibilities when considering a search that may span the globe. I love the opportunity to work with a woman consultant in this industry. Kenia also being a luxury home agent is an added benefit i allowing for a seamless process.

First and foremost, Captain Rick’s knowledge of the yacht market is impeccable. What sets Captain Rick apart is not just his knowledge but also his dedication to his clients. He was always available to answer my questions and address any concerns I had, no matter how big or small. In addition to his professionalism, Captain Rick Milroy’s passion for yachts and the maritime world is infectious. His enthusiasm for the industry and his love for the sea are apparent in every conversation, making the experience of working with him not only informative but also enjoyable. In conclusion, I highly recommend Captain Rick Milroy as a trusted yacht broker. He is a true expert in his field, a dedicated advocate for his clients, and a pleasure to work with.

I send all my clients to Rupert Covel at JFA Yachts his knowledge and expertise in the yachting and Sailing industry is unmatched. He truly goes the extra mile to ensure every client is his top priority he is extremely efficient and most of all he doesn’t waste your time thank you for all your help. It was a true pleasure doing business with you look forward to much more to come in the future.

Paul Minihan at JFA Yacht & Ship is the go-to person for your boat or yacht needs. As a military veteran and Naval Academy grad, his experience and integrity shine through. I’ve known Paul for over 15 years, and his dedication to his clients is unmatched. Whether you’re buying or selling, Paul’s expertise ensures a smooth and trustworthy experience. Proud to recommend him and contribute to the positive community at JFA Yacht & Ship!

Paul from JFA Yacht has been helping me locate my first boat. He has done overtime work to learn what my needs and wants are and in many ways he has identified multiple areas where what I should be looking for haven’t matched my initial impressions. I have learned tons. I look forward to working with him and JFA yacht into the future on this purchase, and the next!

James & Katy, Thank you for all that you have done to see us off on our dream. You’ve both been awesome!

James, you’re the best broker anywhere, you’ve gone above and beyond what any other broker should or would do. Thank you.

Katy, thanks for your support and friendship. We are lucky to have found you both.

Captain Z just recently helped us purchase our first sail boat. he kept the entire experience stress free! he is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! the best is that after closing he has been right there helping us organize all of the equipment on board and even helped us move the boat to it’s new slip. he also graciously provided us…

James Fachtmann is one of the few people you come across that has that rare combination of passion and expert knowledge focused solely on one thing. The yacht and marine industry. He continually keeps his knowledge base up to date whether its by visiting boat manufacturers, researching and writing articles in yacht trade magazines or just plain curiosity, he knows…

I have recently purchased a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 catamaran through James Fachtmann and was quite happy with the service and support he provided me throughout the process. James cares about the happiness of his customer not just in the near term but also for the long term and clearly feels he has an obligation to treat his customer ethically…

I have recently had the pleasure of selling my yacht with the help of James Fachtmann. The service, enthusiasm and professionalism he demonstrated during the transaction was beyond my expectations and I would, in fact already have, recommended his services to some of my best friends. The ease of the selling process was in large part due to his diligence…

Thank you for all that you have done to see us off on our dream. You’ve both been awesome! James, you’re the best broker anywhere, you’ve gone above and beyond what any other broker should or would do. Thank you. Cheers!

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best luxury yacht: 7 ultimate luxury cruisers you can buy

• Toby Hodges
• March 14, 2024

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best luxury yacht category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards

The definition of the best luxury yacht will differ according to personal opinion and from boat to boat. This year’s nominees in the luxury yacht category of the European Yacht of the Year Awards proved that perfectly.

The European Yacht of the Year awards are selected by a broad panel of expert judges from across the globe. These are people who spend their professional lives sailing and comparing yachts, so you can be certain that the yachts which stand out in this field are truly the best of the best on the market.

The best luxury yachts

Best luxury yacht winner 2024 – arcona 50.

When you enter the fiercely competitive 50ft luxury performance yacht market you better get it right. And the jury felt Arcona managed that. This watershed design for the traditional Swedish brand, by X-Yachts co-founder and former designer Niels Jeppesen, is a big, contemporary new Arcona, one that sees it move away from its cruiser-racer heritage and classic interiors.

The on trend styling inside and out is backed up by a premium level of build and finish quality and sailing performance – particularly if you have the performance sails, traveller and deep (2.95m) keel options the test boat carried, although the latter does limit your berthing and anchoring options.

While I doubt it’ll be raced or will suit typical bluewater use, it offers a purity of performance push-button sailing: a handsome prospect upwind in a light breeze, it transforms into a powerful reaching machine with stacks of control.

As chairman of our jury, Jochen Rieker, puts it: “The boat certainly did not win for her somewhat borrowed looks. She wins by checking all the boxes in all other respects. Slipping along gracefully in the lightest of airs, holding her stride and her balance in more demanding conditions, offering warmth, light and this reassuring feeling of utter quality down below – there simply isn’t anything to fault.”

Contest 50CS

The Contest 50CS, for example, is an archetype luxury cruising yacht, one built to the highest standards and that could take you to most waters in impeccable comfort. This model is, uniquely, available in two versions: this more conventional 50CS with aft master cabin, or the forward owner’s suite version on the aft cockpit Contest 49CS . We ran a full test on the latter after spending two days aboard in the North Sea, where that noticeably high freeboard, which may not aid boarding nor windage, helped keep us dry on deck in a steady Force 6 gusting 7.

As the 50CS proved, this Judel/Vrolijk design keeps slipping along in the light stuff too, providing enjoyable sailing in 6 knots breeze under a code sail. The centre cockpit offers a deep protected guest area, but also links well to the spacious aft deck.

And the Wetzels-Brown-designed interiors of Contests today are stunning and hard to match. The engineering, access to usable stowage, details and finish on the 50CS is first class and to get this level of quality at this size is special.

Both Contest and X-Yachts are early adopters of hybrid power, offering their bluewater cruisers with optional electric drives. For the XC 47 this was designed-in from the start to offer Oceanvolt’s award-winning new 25kW regenerative drive.

The XC 47 is another wonderfully engineered and thought out yacht for distance cruising, in particular for those who also enjoy hands-on helming pleasure. That should come as no surprise to any X aficionados, but what really struck me most about this yacht was the stowage, and the forethought needed to create that, together with how practical it has been made.

That may sound slightly anticlimactic but ask any long-term cruiser and stowage is always a priority. On deck, this constitutes a huge lazarette and sail locker, plus clever systems for launching a dinghy via davits and a liferaft canister, while below decks every square inch of space has been used effectively, with lockers hinged with gas struts.

It’s clear the Danish yard went to considerable time and effort, even building a full mock up of the interior that could be canted 20° each way.

If the deck saloon style looks didn’t sell this model to all – this is the first full non-Jeppesen designed X – the jury were converted once they’d taken the helm. ‘Quirky’ became ‘muscular and bold’. The ease with which it can be sailed from the cockpit was also appreciated.

While I understand many offshore cruisers like a protected centre cockpit and more sun protection, the attention to detail, stowage and practicalities, combined with the direct steering, motion and enjoyable sailing this X offers make it a standout new offering.

Jeanneau Yachts 55

Meanwhile the Jeanneau Yachts 55 stands out for different, unique reasons in this category, offering a completely new concept in comfort on deck while at anchor and a novel accommodation layout. Its focus is on outdoor living space.

What helps place this in a luxury bracket is not simply the price or the creative input of superyacht specialist design duo Philppe Briand and Andrew Winch, rather that its layout creates a palatial amount of private space for the owner’s suite. Guest cabins have their own direct access from the extensive cockpit via gullwing doors.

It certainly makes sense for solo owners or couples using it as a warm water apartment. How many people this will suit is another question, as it segregates any guests, crew or children from the galley and saloon.

I used the term monocat when I first viewed it, as the 55 really does attempt to mix the two worlds, particularly in terms of providing owner privacy and lounging space. Choose the rigid hard top and windshield and there’s a vast amount of covered area including a dinette and chart table – plus a bimini can shade all that extensive aft deck too.

The penalty comes in additional weight and wetted surface, and is felt in the handling and performance, the latter particularly in lighter breeze with the optional in-mast furling, self tacking headsail and shallow draught package we had. However, it’s set up to be easily managed from the mid cockpit with good visibility from the twin helms and easy circulation thanks to the ramped side decks. Full report in YW February 2024.

Best luxury yacht 2023

Best luxury yacht winner – oyster 495.

It is hard to imagine that the decor of a yacht can change its look and feel quite this much, yet the layout of this second 495, Eddie Jordan’s dramatic looking Tuga , is in fact identical to the first boat that I spent several days aboard last summer.

At its heart is a wonderfully (Humphreys) designed and engineered luxury bluewater cruiser conceived from the ground up, built in a new dedicated facility to a repeatable quality very few yards are capable of.

The 495 offers consistent passage making speeds in real voluminous comfort – whether enjoyed from the deep cockpit or the best-in-class aft cabin. Deck stowage and mechanical space is also superb.

Then factor in the family appeal of Oyster’s after sales and world rally programme and you start to appreciate the premium world this sub 50-footer gives access to.

The first yacht fully conceived under CEO Richard Hadida’s reign, this is also the smallest completely new Oyster 495 since 2005 – and it’s a triumph. It was our September 2022 cover star in which we featured the full review from our Oyster 495 three day test .

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 60

The Oceanis Yacht 60 is a very different beast indeed to the 62 it replaces as flagship for the Beneteau range. The yard has learned plenty from the success of the First 53/OY 54 and wanted to create a 60 in this style and with the same deck layout (albeit larger and wider) and ease of circulation.

The construction experience of the smaller model clearly helped too, as this is a whopping five tonnes lighter than the bulky OY62 and with a deeper (2.6m) keel. The telling result is on the water. It feels sporty to helm and we averaged a knot slower than the single figure 6-8 knot windspeeds upwind and matched them reaching with Code 0 and a slight swell.

The vast cockpit works well, sheltered below the semi rigid bimini, it has plentiful lounging space with sailing systems led aft to the twin helms. The interior sees a 3+3 layout, where Beneteau wanted to get rid of the corridor effect of the OY62. The galley is forward to help open out space, while the forward suite with offset berth and headboard aft works well to give space with privacy.

This is an attractive, voluminous yacht that leaves a good overall impression whether under sail, on or below decks.

Ice 62 Targa

It all looks pretty funky below decks on the Ice 62 Targa too, especially if you’re watching the masthead fore and aft cameras (plus bow and prop cam) on central displays mounted in the saloon while you slip out of the dock! The Ice is a seriously impressive, contemporary yacht, one that in looks, performance and execution, won over many of the judges.

The first to launch is a highly customised project for a passionate sailing owner who covers long distances solo – he’d already sailed it 3,000 miles around the Med that autumn. It’s impressively stiff, sails handsomely and, thanks to a telescopic keel, points well. We matched single figure windspeeds, and clocked up to the high 9s in 12 knots wind.

Umberto Felci’s team spent 4,000 hours on the design, providing lots of space and light to the interior and a chillout zone in the semi raised saloon. This was easily the coolest looking yacht, with its aggressive reverse bow, chamfered gunwales and carbon T-top bimini, and all engineered and built to a high standard.

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How to Buy A Yacht

Which yacht is right for you?

Many factors contribute to the selection of a yacht. At the root of any sound yacht purchase decision is the core performance factors that are essential to consider long before you review interior decoration or layout.

• Motor or Sailing yacht
• High speed performance, Semi-planing hull shape or slow full-displacement?
• Size restrictions: Will you need access to a location with draft, beam, length or height restrictions? Does the dock behind your home have X feet available water or a fixed bridge limiting access to yacht with an air draft of less than Y feet?
• Guest carriage requirements: Number of guests cruising onboard and sleeping onboard?
• Maintenance issues: Are parts readily available in the intended cruising areas?
• Crew: Will the yacht accommodate a suitable number of crew to match your service expectations?
• Range: Where in the world do you wish to travel? If those ports are not serviced by a yacht transport service then the yacht will need to have an ocean passage making range and hull shape.
• Full-displacement vs. Semi-displacement?

The pros and cons of semi-displacement compared to full-displacement are:

How to buy a yacht?

There is a standard sequence to buying a yacht that is accepted by the global yachting community. Variations from these steps are possible but fairly rare.

Search and selection

Working with a yacht broker from Luxury Yacht Group your requirements are refined and suitable yachts reviewed and inspected. Inspection can be made at a regularly scheduled boat shows or by special appointment for a personal inspection subject to the yacht's availability.

Once a suitable yacht is found a formal offer is made by the buyer. This is presented by your broker on an industry standard contract to buy the yacht. This sales agreement outlines the timing for the sea trial, survey, acceptance and closing. When you make your offer it is normal to deposit 10% of the offer price into escrow with your attorney or broker. It is essential that your offer includes an accurate inventory of the vessel. At Luxury Yacht Group we always take a photographic inventory of the vessel and include that with the offer to buy.

Offer Accepted

The seller will accept, reject or counter your offer to buy. It is rare for the first offer to be accepted so it usually takes a week or two to receive an accepted offer.

Depending upon the size of the yacht the survey can take from one to 14 days to complete. During the survey all mechanical, electrical and electronics equipment is tested. The objective of the survey is to get an accurate understanding of the current vessel condition and precisely how much the yacht will cost to maintain in the next few years. As part of the survey it is strongly recommended that the vessel is hauled out of the water for inspection. The cost of the survey is paid for by the buyer.

At a convenient time before, during or after the survey the prospective buyer is able to take the yacht out to sea to establish the vessel's performance underway. This sea trial, usually limited in duration to 4 hours, is normally at the seller's expense. During the sea trial the engines are tested to verify cruising and maximum speed and it is a good opportunity for the buyer to verify the motion of the vessel and noise levels throughout the interior whilst underway.

Following successful survey and sea trial the buyer submits written acceptance of the vessel. From this point onwards the 10% deposit paid is at risk should the buyer not close the sale at the agreed upon closing date. It is very normal for deficiencies found during survey to be included in a conditional acceptance that gives the seller time to make repairs or allow a financial allowance for the buyer to make repairs after the closing. For example a deficiency is found in the air conditioning system that cannot be repaired prior to closing so a conditional acceptance is signed by both buyer and seller giving $20,000 off the previously agreed price in consideration of the non-functional air conditioning.

Just like real estate the act of a closing is a fairly straight forward exchange of signatures on important documents. The protocol of delivery and acceptance clearly lists the location and time of the ownership exchange. At closing the buyer should have new registration and insurance already lined up. The Luxury Yacht Group yacht management team will happily assist any new buyer in establishing the necessary official papers and insurance required.

Flags of convenience?

The large majority of yachts are flagged (registered) offshore. The most popular registries are the Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands and St. Vincent. These three registries offer relatively protected and inexpensive yacht registry services. Most offshore registries require that the new owner establish a corporation in their jurisdiction that owns the vessel. The beneficial owner is simply the majority shareholder in the corporation. In most cases, by flagging your vessel offshore, taxes can be avoided on the value of the hull. The savings can be significant when compared with the value of the sales tax (TVA or VAT) that would have to be paid.

Maintenance costs?

The costs of yacht ownership are significant and it is incredibly rare for a yacht owner to make money by chartering their yacht. Be very leery of any yacht broker telling you that you will make money buying and chartering a yacht. The Luxury Yacht Group management team has created the operating cost calculator that gives a general idea regarding operating costs. This can be found here: Operating Cost Calculator.

Crew costs?

The crew team at Luxury Yacht Group has developed a formula for salary ranges based upon the number of crew onboard. The table also gives the standard crew breakdown with regards job titles.

Our top 5 recommendations to new yacht buyers?

• Hire the best crew that you can find. Most problems that we see yacht owner's experience could be overcome by a good crew. Luxury Yacht Group's crew placement team has over 22,000 crew to choose from and has the best placement guarantee in the business. Please call +1 954 525 9959 or e-mail [email protected] for more information on our crew placement service.
• Take your time buying a yacht. Yachts that are for sale at 'great' or 'giveaway' prices are rarely a good buy. The cost of refitting a distressed vessel can far exceed the capital savings that you think are present on day one. Our brokerage staff can direct you to a good value vessel and away from a money pit.
• Charter prior to owning. Yachting is very expensive and owning a yacht is a truly unique vacation experience. Chartering a yacht is a great way to sample yacht ownership with a fixed cost and minimal time commitment. Luxury Yacht Group can charter you a very similar yacht to the one that you are looking at so that you can be familiar with the brand or style of the yacht that you are interested in buying.
• Understand the cost of ownership. The cost of yachting is fairly tough to justify in the real world however it is an amazing luxury experience that is only within reach of the truly successful. Please speak to a yacht management professional prior to purchasing a yacht so that you have a clear understanding of the operating costs associated with that yacht.
• Have a strong shore support team. Yachting is a luxury pastime with ups and downs. The Luxury Yacht Group yacht management team is available to support your operations to smooth over any issues that may arise. If you chose to operate the vessel from your existing offices please call us to help with the setup. We are happy to train your existing accounting or Payroll Company in some of the intricacies of yacht operations.

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More From Forbes

Marriott’s tina edmundson on the future of hotels, yachts and chatbots.

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As the newly appointed President of Luxury at Marriott International, Edmundson reveals what’s next for the world’s largest hotel operator.

Tina Edmundson, President of Luxury at Marriott International

When it comes to C-Suite leadership in hospitality, Tina Edmundson is a name you need to know. Clocking more than 16 years at Marriott, she joined amid the company’s 2016 acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, making it the largest hotel company in the world. It now comprises 30 brands, and operates approximately 9,000 properties.

In a brick and mortar business, it’s hard to see how Marriott could get much bigger. That’s where luxury steps in. It’s seen as the ‘ bright spot ’ growth engine in hospitality, which puts Edmundson, promoted last year to become Marriott’s President of Luxury, squarely in the hot seat. She now oversees eight brands, including St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bulgari Hotels, Edition, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels.

Raised in Mumbai, India, Edmundson graduated with a finance degree from the University of Bombay, and then moved to the U.S. to pursue her MBA in hotel and restaurant administration at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton college. Having worked in hospitality all her life, she’s seen just about everything there is to see in the hotel business. In this interview, she shares her outlook for the future of luxury travel:

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What are three major trends shaping your business?

It sounds cliché at this point, but the pandemic changed everything. People shifted their mindset around travel. Bucket lists became to-do lists. We’re not waiting, because we don't know what the future holds.

With that, wellness travel has become so important. I'm not just talking about spas; I'm talking about holistic wellbeing — mind, body and soul. If they’re working and traveling, consumers want to blend both work and wellness. They want to make sure that from a nutrition, movement and meditation perspective that they have facilities, and we have hotels that do that quite well. We have a hotel in Cabo, for example, called the Ritz Carlton Zadún . They have this great experience where they provide ancient healing, spa rituals, and mindful practices. Guests can go there and get all of that, but also just be on the beach with their family.

Sustainability is also critically important. So, the second major trend is what we call ethical escapes, where the customer is interested in sustainable practices. They want to do business with companies that give back to the environment and the community. Particularly Gen Z and millennials, they're much more in-tune to that trend and it's shaping their choices.

The Alkemia Spa at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel in Mexico.

Do customers just say they want sustainability, or are they really spending money on it?

There are two parts to this. One is, the individual traveler is hard to pin down. Because they say things like: I want low flow showers , but they really don't. They want a good shower. So that part is hard to track. What we are seeing, though, is clear demand from group customers. More often than not, I would say 80% of the time, that when a company is sourcing a group booking, it will ask for a report card on the sustainability practices of that hotel. So the hotels are incentivized to do it.

The third trend is experiential travel. Customers want more than just average F&B and a nice room; they’re looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences and events that are unavailable elsewhere. For instance, we do pop-ups with fashion brands. The W Verbier hotel had a Valentino pop-up over Christmas time, which was wonderful because Valentino got to showcase their spring line. The St Regis in Venice did a partnership with Ginori 1735 during the Venice Film Festival last year, and they took over the garden overlooking the Grand Canal. It was just stunning.

Are you seeing big moves into ultra-luxury?

Absolutely. We're seeing a lot of interest, and it's become a really important asset class from an investor perspective. It’s why we launched the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection . Our first vessel, Evrima, has been sailing for over a year. It’s effectively a Ritz Carlton at sea and it is all-inclusive. Our second yacht, Ilma, will set sail in September. The third will come on board in July 2025. Getting into the ultra luxury yachting space has been quite interesting for us, because 50% of the customers on our yacht are actually new to cruising.

Ritz-Carlton's new Ilma ship will set sail in September.

Cruising is a big choice for Marriott; but this is not a mega cruise ship.

Right. At 149 keys, the most people you can have on the ship is 300. And it's totally manageable, because the vessel is not dense at all. You can always find a quiet place to read a book and relax, or whatever. We're super excited about that.

Another growth area is adventure travel, which is lodges and tented camps. These are the bucket list trips people are finally taking. We just opened our JW Marriott Masai Mara earlier this year, and we have several others signed as well.

Your partnership with Bulgari is another ultra-luxury move, no?

The partnership with Bulgari happened more than 20 years ago, before my time. But it's been a wonderful venture; It's their brand, their vision and design, but we manage the hotels. Bulgari is growing, which, to your point on ultra luxury, has become even more important. In that vein, we also have a brand called the Ritz Carlton Reserve, with seven open hotels in exotic, far flung places. The most recent one we opened is in Saudi Arabia, called Nujuma . The hotels tend to be on the smaller side; no more than 75 to 80 rooms or suites with extensive wellness facilities and a very high level of service.

Where in the world do you see the most promising growth opportunities?

In the luxury group, we have 513 open and operating luxury hotels, with 234 hotels in the pipeline. From a growth perspective, it’s an exciting time. We still see opportunity in primary markets, because each of our brands serve a different purpose for a traveler. (You go to W for a different reason than a Ritz Carlton.) But secondary markets have become quite interesting, like Charlotte, Savannah, Austin. It doesn't always have to be New York and London and Tokyo. Because the customer is also visiting Kyoto and Nikko. We monitor demand and the developers are as well. If the secondary market can support those rates and that type of customer — then we should have product for that.

Is it growth for growth's sake?

No. Well, we're a growth company. We just are. But in luxury, it is not growth for growth's sake. It is measured and considered and it has to match the brand that we're putting forward. Otherwise, I think you're going to disappoint the customer. We are quite customer-centric, making sure that we are growing in places our customer wants to be.

How do you modernize a traditional luxury hotel stay?

To me, number one is being thoughtful about design and architecture. So we have a list of approved designers and architects that we constantly vet to make sure that we are providing physical environments for our guests that are quite appealing.

The second is immersive programming. What is really interesting about where this particular hotel is located and how hotels actually help a guest culturally immerse in that locality? We've got tons of examples. In Edition hotels, we have directors of culture and entertainment who are completely connected to the locale, and are able to bring in lectures or local artists to enhance the guest experience. And then finally, it’s about simplifying the guest experience by removing friction through technology — whether it's Mobile Key or allowing people to chat on the app. Because a lot of people don't like to talk anymore!

So, it’s not VR headsets after all… Your Q1 earnings report states: “We are making great progress on the multi-year digital and technology transformation of our three major systems, reservations, property management and loyalty. Through this transformation, we expect to unlock new revenue opportunities.” My question is: Like what?

By actually being able to offer much more personalized service. Think about this: If I was driving into the hotel, and it's eight o'clock at night. And the hotel sent me a text and said: I see you’re coming in late. Here's our in-room dining menu. Is there something from the menu that you’d like? I’d probably buy it. Or, we have a Cabernet from Paso Robles that we know you like and it's waiting for you. That's delightful. Or, you're here on vacation and I know that you love a deep tissue massage: we have these slots available. I mean, come on, I know you're going to do it, Jennifer!

I’m so predictable! So, that is gathering data and creating a profile.

It's creating the profile, but the technology should allow us to do it faster and with more precision. At the right time.

Your systems have to talk to each other.

Exactly. That's part of the benefit of being a loyalty member, because we have your preferences, we know what you like.

I like my initials stitched on my pillow, Tina. How do you develop new tech?

We have multiple vendors. We don’t build it ourselves; we’re buying technology from others and customizing the portions that we need to customize in order to deliver the experience we want to deliver.

Many hotel apps have chatbots now, which are enhanced with artificial intelligence. Are you getting into that space?

We are looking at it right now, for sure.

Tech in the short-term rental space is helping platforms book more guests and smooth out operations. Is this something you’re worried about?

If you're a good business person, you have to worry about everything. It is a very specific market. We have a product called Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy; it hosts about 160,000 homes on a website where customers can earn and redeem their points.

A home in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, listed on Marriott's Homes & Villas platform.

So, you are in the short term rental space.

Yes, but we're very specific. We don’t do couch surfing, and all of that. We are only in the premium and luxury space in short term rentals. The other product that we have is branded residential. Many of our luxury hotels have residences attached. When an owner buys a residence, many times they want to put their residence in a rental program. Customers can either rent a branded residential product that is attached to the hotel, or they can rent a ‘Home and Villa’ which is somebody's home that they've put on our platform. [Approximately 20% of the Luxury Group by Marriott International’s business is branded residential real estate.]

Am I worried about it? No, but we watch the space closely. We think that there is a purpose for which that product is the right solution. We want to keep our customers within our ecosystem, and give them every experience in travel they need. We don't want them to have a reason to leave us.

Everyone is looking for ways to have direct bookings on their brand’s sites. What are some cutting edge ways you can do that?

Digital marketing is the way forward, which includes social media. Social commerce is so critically important, because consumers are influenced when their friends are posting content that they engage with. That's really the wave of the future. People are not looking at your paid advertising message and deciding to come to you. That's more of an awareness builder. But when you think about lower funnel marketing, it’s more effective in luxury than it is for some of the other brands because we are not discount driven. That's not what it's about. What you're trying to do is create desire for your brand that is prompting people to buy.

Speaking of that, you partnered with Taylor Swift for the Era's tour. You’re part of the Swift Effect.

Absolutely! You can talk about the Swift effect. You can talk about White Lotus. What we're seeing in media and entertainment is driving travel. People are traveling more now for concerts and sports games than they ever had before. I mean, talk about trends. It's hard to name just three because there's so many. And you've got to have your irons in all of those fires.

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Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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