TASTE THE LUX LIFE ON A YACHT
Why stay in a hotel when you can stay on a luxury yacht? With Beds on Board you can do just that!
A few years ago, stuck for last minute accommodation near Southampton, a boat hopped up on Booking.com! I loved the idea of staying somewhere completely different (being an experience seeker of course) and that’s when I discovered Beds on Board.
In 2015, founder Tim Ludlow was at a busy regatta in Palma, Mallorca, struggling to find accommodation. All the hotels in town were fully booked and there was not a room to be had, but as Tim strolled along the waterfront, he noticed that most of the yachts in the marina were empty, so Beds on Board was created to connect their owners with accommodation seekers. Essentially its Airbnb for boats.
Beautiful 48ft motor yacht in Portsmouth (Kings Ransom) - Haslar Marina, UK
How it works
I loved staying on the boat near Southampton so much, I decided I wanted to do it again only this time something a bit bigger for a certain big birthday of mine, with a group of girl friends.
The booking process is simple. I signed up to the website, choose my required dates, destination and number of guests, and I’m given a selection of boats to choose from. I select a gorgeous three-bedroom yacht called Kings Ransom which can sleep up to 6 people, which the site tells me is a 46’ Jeanneau Prestige. She's moored in Haslar Marina in Gosport, right opposite Gun Wharf in historic Portsmouth Harbour.
Once I've booked, the boat owner has 48 hours to accept or reject my reservation. Later that day, I’m contacted by Steve, the friendly owner of the Kings Ramsom. He’s incredibly welcoming, flexible and happy to answer all my questions.
Just like Airbnb, when guests arrive at the start of their stay, they’re met either by the boat owner or by his or her representative. My friends and I are met by Steve. Check-in starts at 3pm but he allowed us to meet him and board at 1pm.
I’m struck by how immaculate and spacious the boat is. The deck is spotless, large enough for us all to sit outside and there’s a table upstairs to enjoy the view. Inside a white leather seating stretches the length of the living space with a cherry wood fold-out dining table. The three bedrooms are at the front end of the boat with two bathrooms both with showers.
We’re welcomed with a bottle of bubbles which we drank as Steve gives us the lowdown on how everything works, loos, showers etc.
Generally as all the boats are moored safely in the marina there isn’t the opportunity to take it for a spin however some owners do offer this at an extra charge. Steve is one of those guys, he’s very flexible and you can discuss with him you’re requirements whether its a 2 hour sail or you’re looking for an all dayer. We went out for 2 hours and sailed to the Isle of Wight as it was the Around the Island Race day. It was amazing, we all drink G&T upstairs enjoying the wonderful view and sea air.
Luxurious and Spacious Catamaran in Athens - Alimos Marina, Greece
A taste of the high-life
Even without the prospect of a cruise, being on a boat is exciting. Reclining on deck with a glass of something cold as the sun sets over the water, we feel like we are part of a world we’d never normally have access to. A boat like this would cost thousands to charter, but here we are.
Marinas, by their very nature, are in pretty places with great restaurants, and the beauty of a Beds on Board stay is that you’re never far from a scenic waterfront stroll or great evening out.
That being said, a night onboard can be just as fun as going out. Unlike a hotel room, you can cook for yourselves and enjoy a meal on deck watched by expectant seagulls, or curl up in-front of a film as the sea gently rocks you to sleep.
Unsurprisingly, this new accommodation trend is catching on and Beds on Board now has boats in over 50 countries. After all, who wouldn’t want to enjoy the glorious yachting lifestyle without the responsibility or the price tag that go with it?
