
If you’re a fan of the cable TV juggernaut Below Deck Mediterranean, surely you know the yacht The Wellington. She’s the star of the current season, cruising amid the scenery of Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Not only is The Wellington the largest superyacht in Below Deck history, measuring 184 feet (56.15 meters), but she’s not even really named The Wellington.
Her real name: The Wellesley.
If you’ve been to London, you may know the boutique hotel The Wellesley. It overlooks Hyde Park in Knightsbridge. The yacht The Wellesley is its floating counterpart. As much as charter yachts are often likened to floating resort hotels, The Wellesley is much more. She lets you dip a toe back in time into the glamor of the 1920s while remaining firmly footed in the lap of modern-day luxury.
One of the most beautiful places onboard is the main salon, perfect for afternoon tea. Her logo is exquisitely inlaid in the sole, reminding you this is not just any charter yacht. In fact, every piece of furniture is tailor-made, and every crisp linen is the same type found in the hotel.
Speaking of which, The Wellesley, like her land-based sister, offers a fine selection of the world’s best cigars. Choose your favorite smoke, paired with a perfect pour of Cognac, from the custom-made humidor in the Club Lounge (above). Superyachts shun smoking by guests on deck, but not The Wellesley. Relish your cigar in the lounge, or out on the adjacent alfresco smoking deck.
While you can see other parts of the yacht on Below Deck, remember that she’s playing the role of The Wellington. To experience her true personality, charter her yourself—but first learn more about her history in our book Spectacular Superyachts: Inspired Interiors. She’s one of our favorite stories.
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