Secret spaces: The ultimate bonus rooms on board luxury superyachts

Defined as a room in a house created for the shedding of dirty or wet footwear and clothing, a mud room might not be a necessity on every luxury yacht. That said, not every yacht is a 59.4-metre Rossinavi with a bold red paint job and brawny explorer build. Akula is unconventional in every sense, with a non-traditional layout (no grand saloon or central staircase) and is designed as an explorer built to roam the far reaches of the world. Naturally, then, a functional mud room is a fitting bonus room on board this yacht, acting as an entry point after an adventure. 

The welcoming space has durable stone floors and deep sofas for comfort and includes practical elements like built-in drying areas for outdoor gear. Its globetrotting highlights are further seen in the owner’s office/"man cave" located aft on the bridge deck – but his wife made sure to secure her own office/'craft cave" too, where she can work on her embroidery. Not forgetting the lower-deck workshop where the owner can tinker.

The 47.5-metre Mengi Yay yacht Serenissima I comes from the drawing boards of Nuvolari Lenard – the Italian designer responsible for the casual, lounge-like space in lieu of a traditional main-deck master cabin. Dubbed the gentleman's club, the room features a walk-in wine cellar with a retro-red Berkel flywheel meat slicer, inviting guests to enjoy a glass of vino and thinly sliced prosciutto out on the balcony to starboard. "It’s meant to feel like a living room at home – we have a formal saloon aft, this is the hang-out space," said Captain Bohinec.

When a yacht boasts a gross tonnage of 7,200GT, is built to Passenger Yacht Code and can take up to 36 guests on charter, it's difficult to pinpoint the best bonus room on board – so BOAT brings you two from Renaissance. The 112-metre Bannenberg & Rowell-designed yacht is a behemoth, both highly personal and made for charter, so it seems only fitting that it should have a dedicated workspace amongst all the more fun amenities. Created for both guests and personal assistants, the fully outfitted business centre sits adjacent to the owner’s office. On the more fun side of things, the yacht boasts a moody, speakeasy-style lounge adorned with backlit onyx and framed black-and-white photos of jazz legends, personally arranged by the owner. A rare cognac collection completes the vibe.

Damen Yachting's 58.3-metre Pink Shadow is undoubtedly a feast for the eyes; think Tahiti Plage beach bar, a main saloon inspired by the 1982 adventure film Fitzcarraldo and a jungle-inspired staircase. A refined and intimate space designed as a private retreat, the private cigar and spirits lounge has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with rich leather upholstery (including the red Chesterfield sofa) and dark wood finishes. There is also a bespoke humidor, specially crafted to preserve cigars at the ideal temperature and humidity to ensure they are always ready for enjoyment, while Baltic Yachts' custom-made cabinet stores rare and vintage spirits. 

Arguably the hottest delivery of 2024, the 122-metre Lürssen superyacht Kismet is undoubtedly a marvel, spanning everything from a "TRON" engine room and a partially underwater lounge/cinema to a "winter garden" with custom chandeliers and a Versailles-inspired dining space. But one of the owner's most unique requests was a "floating" Buddha for the yoga lounge. 

Taking wellness to the next level, the dedicated sky-high yoga studio comes with its own juice and smoothie bar, serving up fresh, vitamin-packed concoctions, detox juices and wellness shots. The studio is perched high, offering breathtaking panoramic views while guests flow through their sun salutations, while the soft, natural flooring enhances barefoot grip and comfort. Kismet’s crew includes professional wellness experts who can tailor yoga, meditation and fitness sessions, making the experience feel like a private floating retreat. With this level of detail, Kismet’s yoga and juice bar space is more than just a workout area – it’s an experience designed for total rejuvenation at sea.

In BOAT International's yacht report on Diamond Binta, the writer explains that "if you want to truly understand the 58-metre Tankoa motor yacht Diamond Binta, the best place to start is the engine room". A rarity on yachts under 80 metres, this innovative layout required careful planning to balance aesthetics, space and technical functionality. The glass-enclosed engine room is a striking design feature that allows guests to admire the yacht’s engineering as they pass through a central hallway leading from the guest cabins to the beach club – fitting for an owner who is an engineer and "also a bit of a petrolhead". The yacht made its debut at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show at the same time the 122-metre Lürssen yacht Kismet made her first appearance and made waves with her similarly-styled engine room known as the "TRON" experience (a cinematic spectacle, fully visible through a glass-lined corridor).

What’s the only thing classier than soft piano chords gently oozing from a dimly-lit, jazz bar-style room? Answer: The above, but on a superyacht. Phoenix 2’ and her piano lounge were commissioned for an owner with a penchant for music. According to Andrew Winch, the 90-metre Lürssen has hosted some world-class musicians and extravagant soirées over the years. Adding to The Great Gatsby vibes, a six-panel gold-bas relief by DKT Artworks overlooks the custom Steinway.

With an interior volume of 1,998GT, there's plenty of space on board the 70-metre explorer yacht Skat for luxury amenities. Her military-style Espen Øino interiors belie a colourful interior that's bright and light-filled, thanks to large sculptural windows. The perfect retreat for some peace and quiet, guests and owners on board Skat can retreat to the well-stocked library, which offers comfy chairs and even a daybed for reading, bookcases filled with reading materials and floor-to-ceiling views out to sea. For total silence, the library can be closed off from the rest of the bridge deck areas, which include an informal saloon with a bar, games space and snack area.

The 85-metre explorer yacht Victorious has plenty of unique features, but those who enjoy smoking an after-dinner cigar on board will particularly appreciate the gentleman's club-style lounge (where most yachts would feature a sundeck). Styled by H2 Yacht Design, there's a cigar humidor accompanied by a glass-fronted wine cellar and cocktail bar, an angular marble fireplace and plush, curved sofas for evening entertaining. Guests can also move out to the adjoining aft terrace to enjoy a cigar in the fresh air under a starry night sky.

First delivered as an oil vessel in 2010, the 87.1-metre OceanXplorer has been transformed into a luxury superyacht with leading research facilities. “More than 50 per cent of the superstructure was demolished, completely stripped. From the main deck up, we built almost completely new,” says Damen project director Tjarco Ekkelkamp. This rebuild included the installation of four cutting-edge science labs for wet and dry work. These laboratories provide the on-board research team with the capabilities to undertake fine microscopy and genetic sequencing, allowing for the quick identification of new species through eDNA analysis without having to send samples off to an on-shore facility. OceanXplorer’s research credentials have made her a valuable team member in research and media projects led by NASA, National Geographic and Sir David Attenborough together with the BBC.