Row, row, row your boat-el: the best boat hotels bring luxe vibes to the sea

Yes, we’re obsessed with the boutique hotels of Tokyo and beautiful design hotels in Sri Lanka and Croatia, but what if you’re looking for something a little different? From historic vessels that have found new life docked in port to gloriously restored traditional Phinisi yachts, if you’ve ever thought about staying on a boat hotel, here are some beautiful options for your consideration, with not a traditional cruise ship in sight.

The best boat hotels need to be experienced ASAP

1. Les Bateaux Belmond | France

Boat: Les Bateaux Belmond
Location: Various embarkation points along the waterways of Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux and Provence, France
Neighbourhood: French canals, riverside villages and wine regions
Rooms: Private barges with two to six en-suite cabins, accommodating four to 12 guests
Style: Ultra-luxury floating villas combining French antiques, contemporary design and spacious communal areas
Family-friendly: Yes. Private charters suit families and groups, with flexible itineraries
Wellness: Relaxation on deck; selected vessels have a heated pool or Jacuzzi
Pool: Onboard pools on selected barges; a Jacuzzi on Napoléon
Dining: Private chef, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Menus are curated by chef Dominique Crenn
Best for: Private luxury cruises, wine-country exploration, families and special occasions
Prices starting from: Approximately €8,900 per person for a six-night open-sailing cruise, depending on room and season

Belmond doesn’t just have gorgeous properties on land. Explore France’s waterways with Les Bateaux Belmond (main image) and relax in stylish comfort onboard one of their six luxurious barges.

Every whim can be taken care of, with itineraries including excursions like truffle hunting, hot air ballooning and go-karting. Expect spacious cabins with en-suite bathrooms and stellar service that only Belmond can deliver.

Learn more about Les Bateaux Belmond

2. Rascal Voyages | Indonesia

Boat: Rascal Voyages
Location: Embarkation points vary by itinerary, including Labuan Bajo and other Indonesian ports
Neighbourhood: Indonesian archipelago, including Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat
Rooms: Five en-suite cabins aboard each yacht, accommodating up to 10 guests
Style: Traditional handcrafted Phinisi yacht with teak finishes, Indonesian details and contemporary luxury
Family-friendly: Suitable for private family charters; check age requirements and itinerary suitability before booking
Wellness: Open decks for relaxation, swimming and snorkelling stops; no dedicated spa
Pool: No onboard swimming pool
Dining: Private chef serving Indonesian and international cuisine, with dietary requirements accommodated
Best for: Private island-hopping, snorkelling, diving and exploring remote Indonesian coastlines
Prices starting from: Approximately USD $2,500 per cabin per night, depending on room and season

Fancy staying on a teak Phinisi Yacht and sailing throughout lesser-known parts of Indonesia? If yes, then, you’re definitely going to want to know about Rascal. Step aboard this 30-metre handcrafted beauty and discover a blend of traditional and contemporary design, with all the mod cons you need for the ultimate in luxury boating adventures.

Offering five above-deck cabins beautifully designed by Charles Orchard of iBal Designs, guests can enjoy Sonos music systems, flat-screen TVs, en-suite bathrooms and more as they sail throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

A private chef takes care of all your dining needs, with all dietary needs catered for. Enjoy Indonesian and international delights, fresh=pressed juices and a fully stocked bar for evenings watching the sunset on the horizon.

If it’s experiences you’re after, Rascal can’t be beat, offering guests the chance to snorkel with manta rays, visit the dragons in Komodo and explore the national parks along the way.

Find out more about Rascal Voyages here

3. Guntu | Seto Island Sea, Japan

Boat: Guntû
Location: Departs from Bella Vista Marina, 1364-6 Urasaki-cho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 720-0551, Japan
Neighbourhood: Setouchi and the Seto Inland Sea
Rooms: 17 wood-panelled cabins, each designed as a private retreat with sea views
Style: Minimalist Japanese floating ryokan designed by architect Yasushi Horibe
Family-friendly: No for younger children. Guests must be at least 15 years old
Wellness: Communal baths with hinoki cypress tubs and saunas
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Seasonal Setouchi cuisine, a sushi bar, a dining room and a Japanese confectionery lounge
Best for: Couples, Japanese design enthusiasts and slow travel around the Seto Inland Sea
Prices starting from: Approximately JPY ¥300,000 per person per night, depending on room and season

This floating ryokan in the Seto Island Sea is one boat hotel that we can’t wait to stay on. Featuring 19 rooms, the design for the ship was completed by architect Yasushi Horibe and features warm wood to evoke an effortlessly minimal feel.

Cabins onboard feature windows large enough to capture exquisite views of the surrounding sea and mountains, and each one has its own terrace so guests can get closer to nature. Spa, sauna, gym and treatment rooms can be found onboard too, so you can rest assured that you’ll be feeling good at the end of this holiday.

In terms of dining, Guntu’s menus change daily and take into account how guests are feeling and what they want to eat. Under the supervision of Chef Kenzo Sato from Tokyo’s famed Shigeyoshi restaurant, dishes are crafted from local seasonal ingredients.

Guntu also features in our guide to the most unique hotels in Japan.

Find out more about Guntu

4. Bhaya Soul | Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Boat: Bhaya Soul
Location: Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay, departing from the Bhaya Cruises port area in Ha Long, Vietnam
Neighbourhood: Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay
Rooms: 20 suites with private terraces, including spacious suites with panoramic bay views
Style: Contemporary boutique cruise design with natural textures, light wood and an ocean-inspired palette
Family-friendly: Children are welcome, but there are no dedicated children’s facilities. Spa treatments are for guests over 12
Wellness: Spa cabins, restorative treatments, guided meditation and nature-based excursions
Pool: Heated swimming pool onboard
Dining: Multi-course menus featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and international influences
Best for: Couples and travellers seeking a luxury cruise with wellness experiences and quieter bay excursions
Prices starting from: Approximately USD $714 per suite per night, full board, depending on room and season

With just 20 suites, Bhaya Soul offers an intimate, wellness-focused way to explore Vietnam’s spectacular Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Our spacious Symphony Suite felt more like a boutique hotel room than a cruise cabin, with a private terrace, a daybed and a bathtub overlooking the limestone karsts. Days combine kayaking and cultural excursions with restorative treatments, guided meditation and time to unwind by the heated pool. The food was another highlight, with generous multi-course menus showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients without sacrificing the pleasures of a glass of wine or an indulgent dessert.

What makes Bhaya Soul stand out is its relaxed approach to wellbeing. There are no rigid routines or restrictive menus, just thoughtful experiences designed to help guests slow down and reconnect with their surroundings. Highlights included a wonderfully relaxing herbal foot and leg treatment, sunset drinks on deck and an early-morning walking meditation inside Tien Ong Cave, which we explored almost entirely alone. The crew were warm and attentive throughout, making the experience feel personal rather than formal.

Read our full review of Bhaya Soul.

Discover more about Bhaya Soul

5. Zambezi Queen | Botswana

Boat: Zambezi Queen
Location: Chobe River, near Kasane, Botswana; boarding arrangements are coordinated through the operator
Neighbourhood: Chobe National Park and the Chobe River waterfront
Rooms: 14 air-conditioned suites, each with a private balcony overlooking the river
Style: Five-star luxury houseboat with contemporary interiors and panoramic wildlife views
Family-friendly: Family stays may be possible, subject to the operator’s age policy and booking confirmation
Wellness: Relaxation on private balconies and open decks; no dedicated spa
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Full-board meals featuring seasonal and regional ingredients, with a bar and lounge
Best for: River safaris, wildlife photography and watching elephants and other animals along the Chobe River
Prices starting from: Approximately €832 per person per night sharing, depending on room and season

Discover the Chobe River from aboard the Zambezi Queen. Complete with 14 luxe suites, ten standard and four master, each guestroom comes with an outer deck so that you can soak in the unique African landscape from the privacy of your own room.

This 5-star, 42-metre-long houseboat navigates over 25 km of the Chobe River, allowing guests views of the game that inhabit the Chobe National Park. Watch as elephants drink from the waters, and see buffalo, leopards and lions on the banks of the river as you enjoy your luxurious surroundings.

Each meal is crafted onboard from seasonal ingredients, offering guests a sample of traditional flavours and the finest international cuisine. A dining room, bar and lounge are available for guests to enjoy time outside their cabins and take in the views with a drink in hand.

Find out more about Zambezi Queen

6. Aria Amazon | Peru

Boat: Aria Amazon
Location: Embarks from the Iquitos and Nauta area in Loreto, Peru; the exact boarding point is confirmed with the cruise operator
Neighbourhood: Peruvian Amazon and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Rooms: 16 river-facing suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and en-suite bathrooms
Style: Contemporary expedition vessel with hardwood interiors and panoramic rainforest views
Family-friendly: Suitable for adventurous families, although excursions and the remote setting may not suit very young children
Wellness: Massage room, outdoor Jacuzzi and spacious lounges
Pool: Outdoor Jacuzzi; no conventional swimming pool
Dining: Peruvian cuisine by chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, featuring Amazonian ingredients
Best for: Luxury Amazon expeditions, wildlife encounters and exploring the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Prices starting from: Approximately USD $1,500 per person per night, depending on room and season

Explore the Peruvian Amazon onboard Aria Amazon, a river cruise ship designed by architect Jordi Puig. This custom-built ship was designed with both luxury and sustainability in mind, and offers guests the opportunity to discover the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve from the comfort of their own room.

Featuring 16 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, visitors will have unparalleled views of the river and surrounding rainforest. On the upper deck, facilities include a Jacuzzi, lounge and bar and an outdoor observation deck.

In the dining room, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, one of Peru’s most celebrated chefs, has created a menu that utilises ingredients from the Amazon itself and showcases the very best Peruvian Cuisine.

Find out more about Aria Amazon

7. Paddington West | London, England

Boat: Paddington West
Location: Floating Pocket Park, Merchant Square, London W2 1JZ, United Kingdom
Neighbourhood: Paddington Basin, near Paddington Station
Rooms: One bedroom with a double bed, plus a sofa bed; accommodates up to four guests
Style: Contemporary Scandinavian-inspired wide-beam barge with a private rooftop
Family-friendly: Yes. The boat accommodates up to four guests and includes a kitchen and lounge
Wellness: Optional yoga lessons and spa treatments can be arranged
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Kitchen and dining area, with a complimentary breakfast hamper. Private chef experiences are available by arrangement
Best for: Couples, small families and travellers seeking an unusual central London stay
Prices starting from: Approximately GBP £360 per night, depending on room and season

Part of The Boathouse collection, which also offers a selection of moored floating event spaces, Paddington West is a sublime wide beam barge which just happens to also be a lovely boutique hotel in London. Accommodating up to four guests, the gorgeous Scandi decor here brings a modern vibe to the interiors.

A range of add-ons, including onboard breakfast, private chef events, Champagne on arrival, and spa treatments, can be arranged in advance.

Housed in London’s first floating pocket park, you’ll be within minutes of the buzz of the city. Or if it’s relaxing that you’re after, head up to the rooftop and enjoy a good book and some vino as you watch the world go by.

Learn more about Paddington West

8. The Queen Mary | California, USA

Boat: The Queen Mary
Location: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California 90802, USA
Neighbourhood: Long Beach waterfront, near downtown Long Beach
Rooms: Approximately 250 staterooms and suites, retaining original ocean-liner features
Style: Historic 1930s ocean liner with original Art Deco interiors, polished wood panelling and maritime details
Family-friendly: Yes. Connecting rooms, accessible rooms and family-friendly attractions are available
Wellness: Fitness centre; no dedicated spa
Pool: No guest swimming pool
Dining: Promenade Café, Midship Marketplace, Observation Bar and Royal Sunday Brunch
Best for: History enthusiasts, families and travellers interested in Art Deco design and maritime heritage
Prices starting from: Approximately USD $150 per room per night, depending on room and season

Once a historic ocean liner that roamed the seas ferrying the likes of Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, The Queen Mary has found new life as a hotel docked in Long Beach, California. Built in the 1930s and having her maiden voyage in 1936, the ship offers guests the chance to step back in time and experience some good old-fashioned hospitality.

With interiors influenced by the popular Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 30s, visitors can expect strong curves and geometric patterns throughout the ship, adding to the old-world feel. 50 different types of wood from across the globe were used in the building of the vessel, with intricate marquetry, carvings and murals still able to be seen onboard.

Offering a range of dining options, guests can enjoy a long boozy brunch on Sundays or opt to take drinks in the Observation Bar. A range of suites and staterooms are available in different sizes, each decked out in warm polished woods.

Learn more about The Queen Mary or Book through Booking.com

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