Superyacht of the week: Heesen's Elena

In June of 2014, 46.7 metre M/Y Elena was delivered to her delighted owners. As one of the latest additions to their fleet, this full displacement yacht is a true contemporary Heesen icon and joins the ranks of Elandess, Blind Date and Lady Petra. With an elegant silhouette, long sleek lines and subtle curves, she houses an natural ambiance of luxury and finesse.

Guaranteeing maximum levels of comfort and safety, combined with her stunning interior and exterior designs, Elena successfully cruised over 5,500 nautical miles while visiting Scandinavian waters on her maiden voyage and the most extraordinary Mediterranean destinations before being presented to the industry at 2014's edition of the Monaco Yacht Show.

Created by Omega Architect's Frank Laupman, her graceful and timeless interior designs exude a rich sense of elegance in every detail. Guests are presented with a rich sense of lightness; undeniably luxurious yet subtle, natural and well-balanced. The theme of Elena's interior designs can best be described as “Elements of nature”, easily recognised throughout her areas. Vibrantly contrasting luxury fabrics such as silk, wool and linen, rich textures and refined patterns are blended to form a style that is glamorous, gentle and welcoming all the same.

Strong, natural flamed American walnut flooring, light-coloured oak walls and high gloss ceilings turns Elena's character to slightly formal, soft and elegant. The various designs showcase selected natural themes and create a cosy look and feel. Elements in all rooms were designed to resemble twigs and bushes, decorative items feature textures of flowers and leaves and a visual horizon was created throughout, suggesting a division between the earth and sky. Elena's designers successfully managed to create a relaxing contemporary environment with traditional forms and materials, clearly seen for instance in fixed joinery characterised by classical mouldings.

The main saloon and a formal dining area present a soft style, reflecting the feeling of a forest with warm earthy tones such as brown, taupe, cream and purple accents. The room is open and inviting, cosy while also maintaining a sense of classic grandness. Curvy armchairs and sofas are combined with modern cabinetry, light colours and natural materials to form an easy-going and luxurious space.

The sky lounge is a great example of how natural light complements Elena's interiors, with large windows framing the room to create a light, airy ambiance. A circular set-up of plush sofas is the central ingredient, framed by stunning vista views. The bar and large glass sliding doors, which lead outside to the spacious aft deck with several lounge areas, are just several features that turn this into a perfect area to host formal and informal occasions alike. Golden and blue tones fittingly represent the open sky, including twinkling stars on the ceiling, while dark walnut wood ensures a chic elegance. Combined with the home cinema system, this room is equally suitable for cosy family get-togethers. Guests can easily move outside to a stunning panoramic terrace.

Like all interior designs onboard, the gorgeous master suite, located on the main deck forward, is classic yet contemporary and has a spacious layout with spacious private study and large walk-in wardrobe. The luxurious en suite with a central bath tub and delicately applied Emperador marble for floors and vanity units, cream Travertine, oak wood paneling and Art Nouveau mosaic is a real eye-catcher.

The mosaic, which depicts the “tree of life”, also features a hot spring. Mirrors shaped as leaves and wash basins as bowls all add to the natural theme. Symbols of water, such as wave patterns, are seen throughout the master, combined with a relaxing palette of light blues and pale greens.

Belowdecks, sumptuous Elena offers luxurious guest accommodations in the form of two double suites and two twins. All guest quarters are designed in the elegant style featuring walnut paneling, wool carpeting and silk wallpaper. Guest suites all feature luxury en suites with marble walls, limestone flooring and polished steel fittings. Here, too, designs were inspired by typical elements of the earth, with American walnut and light creamy colours setting the tone. Accents in gold, moss green and deep blue give each room its own distinct personality.

The diversity of nature inspired a unique identity for each room onboard, using colours, textures and materials to create different ambiances while maintaining a stylistic unity. Elena extends her spacious interior atmosphere to all exterior decks, where she offers an impressive 180 square metres of space. Of this, 85 are reserved for the impressive sun deck.

Overall 12 guests can enjoy the many features she has to offer, ranging from four different al-fresco dining areas, a big Jacuzzi with lounge pads and large sunbathing areas on the sun deck and inviting sun pads to a big U-shaped settee fore of the bridge. As the owner eloquently puts it: “When I came to the shipyard in Oss the first time it was love at first sight: This is going to be our home away from home on the ocean!”