Camper & NIcholsons
Standing out from the crowd is not every yacht owner’s desire, but those that court the spotlight often do so in style. Hong Kong billionaire Victor Hwang, owner of the 226-foot Saluzi, made sure his boat makes a statement in a sea of white by graffitiing the hull with bright-pink artwork by Beijing-born artist Li Jiwei.
It’s not just the exterior that catches the eye. Guests on board are treated to a vibrant beach-house interior. Hwang’s “East meets West” theme is found in the contemporary furniture and Asian artworks. In contrast to the all-white sundeck, the main deck lounge enjoys rainbow LEDs and brightly patterned soft furnishings. The chairs on the upper deck are unique works of art, while the VIP cabins are distinguished by their vibrant pendant lights.
And then there are the guest staterooms. Unlike most yachts that accommodate a maximum of 12 people, Saluzi sleeps a whopping 32 guests, matched by the same number of crew for a 1:1 ratio of service. It’s available to charter through Camper & Nicholsons.
Here are 10 interesting details on the world’s only graffitied superyacht,
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The Tang Dynasty Link
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons Meaning “Autumn Dew,” Saluzi is named after one of the mystical warhorses owned by the Tang Dynasty emperor, Taizong. If you squint hard, you can see a horse’s shape of the colorful grafitti. The horse was ridden in 621 CE during the siege of the eastern capital Luoyang, where it was hit by an arrow and rescued by General Qiu Xinggong. This event was one of six stone reliefs commissioned by the emperor to flank his tomb. The pink graffiti by Chinese artist Li Jiwei on the yacht’s hull, which he describes as a “floating art installation,” is a modern interpretation of the ancient tale.
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Cruising Into First Place
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons Saluzi was built by Australian shipyard Austal in 2003 as a small luxury cruiseship named Tia Moana for Polynesia service. Its cruising days were short-lived though, as it was converted into a megayacht later that same year. It’s one of seven yachts built by the yard, the second largest to date after the 236-foot Serenity.
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American Dream
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons Designed by the Miami-based Luiz de Basto and his team, Saluzi’s modern beach club decor allows for social flexibility with privacy when desired. It’s a modern style that’s easy on the eye with bright pops of color.
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Two Masters
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons Built to Passenger Yacht Code, Saluzi is unusual for its relatively small size. While other yachts have staterooms for 12, this vessel can accommodate 32 guests in 16 cabins. That includes two primary suites on the bridge deck, both with their own private salons and balconies.
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Seven VIPs
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons There are seven more VIP suites across the main and upper decks, each with its own pop-art style, as well as seven double cabins on the main deck. In port, the boat can accommodate 150 guests for celebrations and corporate events.
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Starlit Sundeck
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons The sun deck’s all-white and gray design language is injected with pops of bright pink and blue soft furnishings. At night, LED purple lighting makes it feel more like an Ibiza beach club than the top deck of a yacht. When guests are done socializing, a large cinema screen turns the space into an outdoor movie theater.
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Double the Value
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons For guests who don’t enjoy lounging around in the sun all day, Saluzi has not one, but two sundeck pools to cool off in. There’s also a gym and beauty salon on the bridge deck for workouts or pampering sessions.
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Sing for Your Supper
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons The yacht’s upper deck dining room serves as a space for hosting formal meals. When the plates and tables are cleared away, it converts into an evening karaoke lounge with a professional music system and disco lighting.
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Spa-ing Partners
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons Saluzi’s spa has two full-time therapists to ensure the 32 guests feel as relaxed as possible throughout the stay. The 1:1 crew to guest ratio also includes three onboard chefs to provide the finest culinary experiences.
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The Thai Connection
Image Credit: Camper & Nicholsons One of the largest superyachts based in Asia, Saluzi regularly cruises Thailand in the winter before crossing over to the Mediterranean for summer. A shallow 7.9-foot draft allows the vessel to explore the coral-studded bays of Thailand as well as navigate smaller ports along the French and Italian Rivieras.
