Boat of the Week: This 255-Foot Superyacht Has a Glass-Bottom Swimming Pool That Doubles as a Skylight
Many superyachts made their world debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. Only Golden Yachts’s 255-foot O’Rea—the largest yacht to come out of Greece this year and the first of a “new generation” of yachts for the shipyard—made a big enough impression to be snapped up by a new buyer just two months later. The sale, according to the broker, was the largest ever in Greece’s yachting history, though the terms were not disclosed.
Renamed Malia with virtually no changes to its heavily stylized interior, the vessel features trapezium-shaped windows and more than 250 interior finishes, including semi-precious stones with emerald and sapphire hues, liquid metals, and 16 different types of marble.
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Malia is conceived to be a treat for the senses. Lasvit glass light fixtures, intricate wood detailing produced by Italian artisans, and a gold-covered globe in the stairwell bring a sense of theatre to the interior by Massari Design. So do the polished marble steps, backlit vertical paneling, and champagne-colored metal and glass chandeliers. Yet the overall aesthetic is less Aladdin’s Cave and more Scandi beach house.
Two very different examples: Undulating wood paneled ceilings, full-height windows, and two lateral side doors bring light into the full-beam salon. On the exterior, a large contraflow swimming pool is positioned across the main deck aft. Three skylights at the bottom of the pool filter natural light through to the wood-clad waterfront lounge below where a health bar, lounge area with a large U-shaped sofa, and a wellness center forward bring a sense of calm.
Besides providing far-reaching views, the beach club enjoys a massage room, Turkish hammam, sauna and shower. A hydraulic swim platform makes getting in and out of the water easier for guests of all ages and abilities, not to mention quick deployment of Malia’s assortment of toys. The yacht’s tenders are launched from side hatches.
The original owner mandated a blend of interactive and classic artworks curated by Vasilis Dragnis, in collaboration with Anna Chatzinassiou, to add depth and dimension to the interior. He also added a piano for live music and an extensive audio-visual system for movie nights in the upper-deck lounge.
Malia sleeps 14 guests in eight cabins, with further accommodations for a crew of 28. The six lower-deck guest cabins have eight-foot-high ceilings—unusual for guest suites. The en suites have Toto Japanese toilets and, between them, employ 20 different types of materials, such as green onyx and Amazonite. Half of the cabins have custom carpets and the other half have oak flooring. Some enjoy full-size bathtubs, others have large showers.
“We tried to keep the design language throughout the yacht the same but create a point of difference with color, finishes and amenities to give guests more choice,” Dimitra Agapitou, interior design director at Golden Yachts, told Robb Report during a tour of the yacht at Monaco. “Some guests prefer bare wood underfoot while others like to sink into luxurious carpet.”
The full-beam owner’s cabin and adjacent VIP on the main deck continue the high-ceiling trend. The master has a private office, a vanity station, a walk-in closet, and super king bed.
Outdoor entertainment is reserved for the sun deck with alfresco dining, oversized sunpads, a large DJ booth, and a touch-and-go heli-deck forward. A second wellness zone comprises gym equipment, a smoothie bar, and a large Jacuzzi for relaxing post workout.
An outdoor cinema screen brings a cozy evening vibe, while a dumbwaiter directly connected to the galley makes services convenient. When high winds threaten to dampen the mood, a hardtop bimini and glass sliding doors close off the central seating area.
“The enclosed seating area was one of the most challenging aspects of the design as the glass can make it hot very quickly,” says Agapitou. “We installed light linen curtains on the inside of the glass and engineered the air conditioning in this space to maintain a comfortable temperature.”
The yacht’s exterior, penned by Stefano Vafiadis, has a modern profile and plumb bow. It differs from the flared bows found on previous new builds from Golden Yachts. According to the shipyard, the vessel marks a new design era. A Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) allows the yacht to hold its place at sea without dropping anchor.
Despite taking delivery in June and putting the yacht in charter last summer, the original owners sold the vessel with zero time on board. Now available for charter with Northrop & Johnson, perhaps Malia’s new owners promise to break that mold.
Click here to see more photos of Malia.
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