When YachtCharterFleet had the privilege of being hosted on board the 40m/ 130ft motor yacht ‘Sweet Escape’ in the Bahamas, we quickly discovered this yacht provides a charter experience which lives up to her name.
Delivered by Washington-based shipyard Christensen in 1993, Sweet Escape has been impressing guests with her stunning selection of amenities and boundless versatility since she joined the charter fleet in 2014.
An interior refit in 2017 breathed fresh life back into her on-board spaces, as well as bestowing her with a newly extended swim platform.
She is primed for yacht charters in the Bahamas, with a shallow draft, ample deck areas and plenty of room for toys.
But all that aside, what really sets this yacht apart is how adaptable she is as a charter platform.
As YachtCharterFleet soon learnt, Sweet Escape is a multi-faceted hostess, capable of providing sensational party nights, laid-back fun or child-friendly family charters according to the preferences of her guests.
The motor yacht sports a strong and streamlined exterior penned by Howard Apollino. With her wide expanses of glazing and well-proportioned decks, the yacht has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making.
Looking radiant against the aquamarine ocean of Nassau, Sweet Escape was a picture of elegance and grace when we arrived for our 4-day cruise around the Exumas, and we were welcomed on board with open arms.
There is on-board ambience of refined opulence, gently balanced by playfulness.
The yacht’s interior styling is a collaborative effort between Glade Johnson Design, Susan Peluo, Pam Williams and Patty Walker.
The design houses have joined forces to create an ambience of refined opulence, gently balanced by a playfulness that makes her on-board spaces warm and inviting.
Guests are treated to their first taste of the yacht’s interiors in the main salon, which is illuminated by a colour-changing ceiling panel and a circular chandelier encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
The space commands your attention from every direction but manages to feel uncluttered at the same time.
The space commands your attention from every direction but manages to feel uncluttered at the same time.
Through large windows, light floods into the space and provides incredible views over the surroundings. A plush grey crescent of sofas brushed in velour dominates the salon, opposite a self-playing Roland piano to starboard.
An eclectic art piece above the sofa injects some colour into the space; it's an original Britto, and the Brazillian artist's signature vibrancy and pop-art style draws the eye immediately.
An original art piece by Brazilian artist Britto hangs above the sofa.
The rest of the space features gleaming chrome, rich gold and prismatic patterns which nod to an overarching Art Deco theme. This unique theme is one that is iconic in Miami, and the yacht takes plenty of interior cues from the city; from seaside furnishings to electric blue pops of colour.
Located aft, there is a large TV which is connected to a games console. This entertainment set-up will provide hours of indoor entertainment for charter guests of all ages.
The main salon is equipped with two separate dining areas. Located aft there is a relaxed, four-person set-up which is ideally suited for children’s meals away from the adult conversation.
Positioned forward, a sophisticated arrangement is better-suited to formal meals and special occasions, and it seats up to 12 guests. This dining salon connects seamlessly to the lounging area, separated only by a glass wine cabinet that ensures the spaces are not severed from one another.
Heading through a door in the dining salon, guests will find the central lobby. A sweeping staircase and bespoke artworks contribute to a homely energy, with the galley located to port, a dayhead to starboard and the main deck VIP cabin located further forward.
Continuing along the corridor, guests find themselves in one of the two VIP suites. While the main deck forward is typically reserved for the owner’s cabin, this deviation from the norm allows for two highly luxurious VIP suites and increased cabin flexibility.
In the main deck VIP, a plush bed takes centre stage. A bijou seating area with a vanity table is found to port, with a large TV screen hanging over a footstool opposite the bed.
This unique layout allows for two highly luxurious VIP suites and increased cabin flexibility.
As a full-beam suite, the cabin benefits from wide windows which offer broad-ranging views over the outside seascape, a vista which is perfectly complemented by the aquamarine colour palette that enlivens the VIP.
Textured artworks above the bed add depth and dimension, while a tablet is on hand to control the suite's entertainment system and light settings.
An en-suite bathroom and generous, fully-integrated wardrobe ensure guests have everything they need at their fingertips. The en-suite is home to a marble-clad double shower room, a sleek sink, and a bidet head.
In total, the yacht has the capacity to host up to 12 guests in six cabins.
Descending the staircase, guests arrive on the lower deck. Five guest cabins are invitingly-laid out, with the second VIP suite located aft and the owner's suite forward.
The second VIP follows a similar layout to its sister cabin above, with a large bed, TV and cleverly-integrated storage solutions.
The en suite meanwhile, is tastefully furnished with a full bath and shower combination and the finest luxury toiletries on offer for guests to take advantage of.
The remaining three guest cabins include two suites that can function as either twins or double, thanks to convertible berths which are extra-long for maximum comfort.
The convertible berths have been meticulously furnished in neutral tones with infusions of orange, and they both have individual wardrobes and complete control over the light and entertainment systems.
The most significant difference between the two comes from the en-suite in the portside cabin, which is shared with the sixth and final stateroom.
The final suite is ideal for little ones or those chartering with a nanny or bodyguard. It features two Pullman-style berths arranged in a way that maximises space.
Features include a hanging locker, storage drawers and a remote for controlling the entertainment system and lighting.
Located forward is the owner’s suite. This full-beam cabin boasts a wealth of extras to ensure a superior living space for the principal charter guest.
Among them, there is a mini-fridge, a charming vanity set-up and small sofa lounging area. As in all of the cabins, the guests are able to control their temperature, entertainment and audio systems.
In addition, guests can enjoy separate his and hers en suites.
Each is sumptuously furnished in mock mahogany with 1920's French motifs and nautical touches which together create a palatial atmosphere.
Each en suite is sumptuously furnished to create palatial energy.
The 'her's suite is found portside in a small inlet in the suite, opposite a generous walk-in closet. It is equipped with a Jacuzzi tub, overhead shower, bidet head and backlit quartz countertops.
The 'his' en-suite meanwhile, can be found to starboard and benefits from a steam shower with bench seat, backlit quartz surfaces and bidet head.
Guests can enjoy unwinding and entertaining here, thanks to a sleek and well-equipped bar and state-of-the-art- sound system.
Ascending the staircase to the upper deck, guests will find the skylounge.
The design teams have opted for a zingy and bright colour palette in the skylounge, plumping for nectarine orange offset by seafoam blue.
In keeping with the owner's artistic eye, another original Britto piece can be found here; a quirky statuette of a martini glass, inscribed with the artists signature on the base.
A curved bar panelled in warm, polished wood hugs the starboard side of the space, with caramel leather barstools offering a lovely spot for an evening aperitif. With a state-of-the-art audio-visual system available, guests can take advantage of a quiet evening or an unbeatable entertainment scene.
At night, the skylounge is particularly alluring thanks to soft, low lighting. As well as being a fabulous social hub, the space is equally well-suited to family time and R&R in the evenings.
A convivial seating area can be found to port, complete with a squashy sofa, large armchairs and footstools. The seating can be arranged to face a 60-inch TV screen, which has access to over 1,000 films.
For the utmost convenience during the day and in the evenings, there is also a dayhead located just outside the skylounge.
Stepping outside, guests will find numerous places to soak up the sun on board SWEET ESCAPE.
Chief among them is the sundeck, which is sure to be the most sought-after spot for outdoor living. Here, guests can make full use of the 8-person jacuzzi, which occupies an elevated podium to provide the most incredible views over the surroundings.
The alluring vistas are enhanced by the turquoise colour theme that has been used across the sundeck, which includes optional Bimini shading for escaping the midday heat.
Guests can get comfortable on wraparound sofa seating, or stretch out on an inviting spread of sunpads and top up their tans. There is even a barbecue, which makes family cook-outs easily possible.
Guests can make full use of the 8-person jacuzzi, which occupies an elevated podium to provide the most incredible views.
On the upper deck aft, guests will find the principal alfresco dining arrangement, which can comfortably seat up to 12 guests.
Adjoining it is a highly innovative seating area, split between sofa seating and a row of sun loungers. This space is perfect for an evening cocktail watching the setting sun with friends, but it also enjoys plenty of sun for days spent basking in the tropical heat.
Another distinctive feature aboard the yacht is her foredeck seating area. While this space is often not used to the fullest on board motor yachts, Sweet Escape has ensured the foredeck reaches its full potential.
The Portuguese bridge functions as a dining area, providing incredible views and a quiet escape from the other on-board areas. It features a semi-circular seating area, with optional shade and the capacity to connect to an audio system.
The final alfresco spot can be found on the aft deck, which volunteers a sleek dining set-up for 12 and a fully-equipped wet bar. The aft deck can be closed off with innovative Eisenglass according to the weather, and includes heating and air conditioning which means the space is totally temperature controlled.
This will come in particularly handy should guests want to enjoy a movie night alfresco, as the aft deck is home to a retractable HD TV with a movie library of 750 movies and surround sound for an immersive cinema-style experience.
The aft deck is adjoined by a staircase which leads to the swim platform, with a passerelle for Med-style boarding.
This configuration ensures that the entire charter party can enjoy spending time together, whether they’re making the most out of the crystalline water or indulging in some down time on deck.
Sweet Escape is well-suited to her cruising grounds with an extensive locker of the latest water toys and accessories. In fact, for a 40m her toy chest is extensive.
The sea can be easily accessed via a large, newly-extended hydraulic swim platform with boarding ladder and rain shower. This unique feature ensures that older guests have no trouble getting in and out of the sea.
What's more, it means that toddlers and small children can paddle in the sea within close distance of the yacht, without the need for setting up an additional paddling pool.
Once in the water, guests can enjoy Jet-Skis, a Flyboard, Seabobs, kayaks and paddleboards, to name a just a few of her expansive repertoire of accessories.
The yacht was recently fitted with a brand new slide, something that has proved highly popular with charter guests. The slide is remarkably quick to inflate, taking just 25 minutes, thus allowing for more time spent enjoying it rather than waiting for it to be ready for use.
On top of this, the yacht boasts an inflatable dock where guests can take part in yoga sessions or other relaxing activities. The dock also provides a great way to transport guests and toys on shore, with increased flexibility that ensures the toys don't get covered in sand.
Guests can enjoy Jet-Skis, a Flyboard, Seabobs, kayaks and paddleboards.
Golfing pros will be well-catered to aboard the motor yacht, thanks to a water golf set-up with tee-off pad and eco-golf balls. Those who want to try their hand at fishing will be able to, with access to a wide range of fishing equipment and gamefish chart.
As a final touch, the yacht also provides access to a Dji Maverick Pro drone camera and GoPro hero5, so guests can commemorate their memories of their time on board Sweet Escape.
Head Chef Thomas Rider is at the helm in the galley, and his wealth of experience is evident in every perfectly-prepared meal that he serves his guests.
Having graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2008, Chef Thomas has mastered the art of creating cuisine with signature flavours from around the globe.
Putting his guests' requirements at the forefront, his meals range from comforting classics to sensational gastronomic creations with inventive twists. Each meal is fresh, delicious and bursting with bite.
On top of these incredible features, Sweet Escape also has veritable eco-credentials. She has an on-board blackwater treatment centre, something that's rare for a yacht for her size, which allows the vessel to produce its own drinking water.
This greatly helps reduce the need for plastic bottles on board, and Sweet Escape's crew do their utmost to reduce their need for single-use plastic during charters. What's more, a low reflective film has been applied to the glass portions of the yacht, and insulation features throughout to greatly reduce the yacht's energy consumption.
With her tailored interiors, never-ending list of on-board features and dedicated and friendly crew, Sweet Escape is the charter yacht of choice for guests looking to experience a superyacht vacation that goes beyond expectations.
Expect to disembark at the end of your charter feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and with memories to last a lifetime.
If you would like to discover more about chartering M/Y SWEET ESCAPE, please reach out your preferred yacht charter broker.
Charter Specification
Sweet Escape
Builder
Christensen
Interior Designer
Glade Johnson Design, Susan Peluo, Pam Williams, Patty Walker
Exterior Designer
Howard Apollonio
Length130' / 39.62m |
Beam26'7 / 8.11m |
Draft6'8 / 2.04m |
Gross Tonnage273 GT |
Built| Refit1993 | 2022 |
Hull MaterialGRP |
SuperstructureGRP |
ClassificationABS |
Charter Guests12 |
Cabins6 |
Crew8 |
Max Speed17 knots |
Cruising Speed13 knots |
Fuel Consumption50 GPH |
Range 2,303 nm |
Range at 12 Knots |