Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Abeking & Rasmussen 60mt Excellence V



Aptly named, Excellence V is the fifth in a highly successful line of superyachts. Built by acclaimed German shipyard Abeking Rasmussen and launched back in the spring of 2012, she combines elegant design with a sense of space that surpasses her physical dimensions. Turning heads, this superyacht of remarkable pedigree boasts the confidence and personality of an instant classic, maintaining the poise of a true lady.

With his extensive experience and knowledge of large yachts, her owner had a crystal clear view, not to mention a lot of inspiration, to bring to the table during development of this project. All this, combined with the tasteful designs of London based Reymond Langton Design, turned Excellence V into an exemplary superyacht with plenty to offer.

At 60 metres LOA, Excellence V retains a wonderful sense of space. She embodies interior volumes that would normally be found on superyachts of over 70 metres, showing a successful design approach where space is optimally utilized to meet the guests' needs. One of the most notable examples of this spacious approach, is found within the guest suites. Aside from the upper deck master and adjacent double suite, all guest accommodation is situated on the fore main deck. Here, large windows, extensive volumes and great accessibility are optimally enjoyed.

One VIP, two doubles and two twins on the main deck and the sumptuous upper deck master quarters and additional double suite on the upper deck, form a grand selection of guest accommodation that offers luxury and comfort for a company of up to fourteen guests.

Excellence V shows off an elegant and confident exterior look, embodying those voluminous spaces in an eloquent silhouette of sleek shapes and smooth lines. A navy blue hull and white superstructure give her a classic feel, whereas her overall look is that of an unmistakably contemporary superyacht.

Aside from spacious volumes, flexibility was a key ingredient in designing Excellence V. From her three hull openings, varying in functions from a starboard side beach club, port side gym and massage room, cinema, aft swimming and diving platform, tender launching and access, to the extra double suite aft of the master suite, all is aimed at offering top quality, flexibility and comfort. And with a layout allowing for optimal crew access, all guest entertainment and relaxation areas can be perfectly serviced.

Upon boarding, guests are welcomed into a glamorous central lobby, where a central elevator connects all five decks and a circling staircase brings guests to every interior level. The styling here is sophisticated and chic, with high gloss dark wooden wall panels framing the staircase, and a natural veiny pattern in stone floors give the whole an elegant and grand feel.

Moving aft, one discovers the main formal dining and lounge areas. The latter is a wonderfully spacious, soft and private space with large L-shaped sofa and bar as main eye catchers. Soft upholstery, curvy furnishing and plush cushions are combined with a rich but gentle colour scheme of crèmes, greys, light beige and hints of fiery red. Separated from the lounge by a central cabinet, the main dining offers a light and spacious surrounding for formal dining, where grey velvet upholstered and dark lacquered wooden dining chairs comfortably seat each guest for ample elegant dinners, while enjoying wonderful views courtesy of the large surrounding windows. The central lighting fixture draws attention towards the central table and the refined dishes served here, forming great setting for many elegant meals.

Aft, the warm and intimate atmosphere is continued into an exterior lounge area that combines two white L-shaped sofas with astonishing vista views. Notably, the sofas here are facing outwards, allowing guests to enjoy the surrounding views while enjoying each other's company. The partially glass bulwarks allow for unobstructed viewing, turning this main aft deck into a open, welcoming and relaxing space.

Back in to central lobby, a long and wide, curving corridor forms the passageway towards the vessel's five main deck guest cabins. High gloss wooden wall paneling combined with toned down grey and white floors, blending plush carpeting with polished stone, form a warm, contemporary ambiance where dashes of colour are found in tasteful photographic artwork. With one VIP suite, two twins and two doubles, Excellence V has a collection of remarkably spacious, lush accommodations that are all equally well appointed.

The VIP suite offers a light and airy stateroom including elegant office area, all with an interior design that combines a classic feel with slightly oriental shapes and colours, resulting in an environment that is both pleasantly familiar and excitingly new. Calm, welcoming and tasteful, the suite is completed with an impressive combined walk-in wardrobe and dressing room plus a spacious en suite with large tub and separate shower area.

The resulting four main deck guest suites are equally elegant in design, slightly darker and more classic with regards to colours and materials, all offering amazing views and ample natural light due to the oversized windows in every stateroom. All artworks add an extra sense of style and personality, giving each stateroom a special personal touch. All quarters offer a spacious and luxurious en suite, one of the doubles with a large tub as, labelling guest accommodation aboard Excellence V as excellent indeed.

Moving upstairs, one cannot help but enjoy the beautifully decorated wall panels found in the central staircase, where silver bas-relief imagery, showing visual references taken from automotive and transport related themes, has been beautifully crafted into elegant works of art, all in a style reminiscent of elegant Art Deco. On the fore upper deck, an astonishing master suite, offering a lustrous panoramic stateroom, spacious owner's lobby and lush his and hers en suites, is unveiled.

The lobby and office areas lead into a stateroom that instantly wows with 180 degrees panoramic views, cozy seating arrangements, a light and elegant design scheme and a romantic skylight as the main ingredients. Through walk-in wardrobes, the en suites can be reached, each with large separate tubs and shower areas, all excellently designed.

Moving directly outside from the master stateroom, the upper fore deck offers an impressive view from either the big cockpit or large Jacuzzi tub that can be enjoyed here. Big adjacent lounge pads on either side turn this space into an exterior lounging and relaxation area that can function as a general guest area or a lovely private owner's sun deck. Either way, an unmistakable guest favourite.

The wow-factor that is found throughout Excellence V's decks, is continued upon entering the upper lounge and aft deck spaces. The former offers a light, informal lounge with cozy sofas, games table and several elegant modern armchairs, framed by picture perfect vistas and a spacious look and feel. Combining a classic ambiance with contemporary shapes and materials, the upper lounge is a perfectly private retreat boasting a wonderfully open, light and airy atmosphere.

Outside, guests are treated to an aft deck that offers those ingredients needed for a perfect exterior lounging and entertainment area: space, large and inviting furnishing and stunning views. A set of long sofas, lounge pads and a fully appointed wet bar turn this area into a flexible guest favourite. Moving upstairs, one can find an extremely impressively al fresco dining area on the bridge deck.

A bar, a large dining table effortlessly seating all 14 guests, several lounging corners and big sun pads aft offer a wide variety of possibilities, all of which are equally tempting. To top it all off, Excellence V offers a wonderfully appointed sun deck with a spaciously combined arrangement of a Jacuzzi, bar and sun pads aft and an intimate cockpit fore, again framed with stunningly beautiful surrounding views.

The range of amenities onboard Excellence V are outstanding, with notable attention for her overall sense of space. Possibilities are endless, guests are offered a wide variety of options for activities and relaxation, all framed with elegantly designed surroundings and tasteful luxury. 


Abeking & Rasmussen

( www.abeking.com )

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