Lürssen’s award-winning 95-m-long Kismet is one of the most exclusive megayachts available on the market for charter

With a health spa, two helipads, gymnasium, cinema and large swimming pool among its many stunning facilities, the megayacht Kismet has been described as “timeless yet ahead of its time”.

The 95.2-m Kismet was built by Lürssen as a replacement upgrade for the owner’s previous award-winning 68-m Kismet. The owner pushed Lürssen to test its own boundaries and create a yacht ahead of its time, while also being the ultimate entertainment vessel for welcoming friends and family.

Kismet was designed by Espen Oeino International for the exterior and Reymond Langton Design for the interior – and was voted ‘Motor Yacht of above 75 metres LOA (length overall)’ at the 2015 World Superyacht Awards.

Her features include a private observation platform with a ‘star bed’, overlooking the sun deck. This deck has a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi forward whose aft end forms the skylight of the lift shaft, all tied together in a waterfall arrangement. A fully equipped barbecue is immediately aft. A second helipad (the main one is on the bridge deck) covers a dedicated mooring deck and can be used as a basketball practice area or an extra party area too. 

An external dining area on main deck, flanked by buffets, overlooks an open fire pit, with an integrated waterfall feature. Above, the main external dining area has sliding glass screens to completely enclose it, forming a winter garden. A special feature is the removable sculpture of a jaguar, whose eyes can be lit, and which adorns the protruding bowsprit. The owner’s deck, which sports a private area with tiled Jacuzzi and sunbeds forward, overlooks the forward area.

Kismet is equipped with an ultra-modern stabilisation system which reduces the roll motion effect and results in a smoother, more enjoyable cruising experience.


INTERIOR

Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design explains that the client requested that the design showcased the size and scale of the new project. The overall style was to be ‘champagne and caviar’: the yacht should be a perfect venue for elaborate parties and entertainment of friends, whilst also being a luxurious but comfortable family retreat. This influenced the selection of materials and the schemes used throughout the design: warm golden, honey tones in metalwork, marble and textiles, with deep, rich timber and leathers providing contrast.

The main feature that sets Kismet apart is the impressive, double-height entertainment area that spans the aft section of the main and upper decks. This area is emphasised by architecture that is a rich, contemporary interpretation of Art Deco themes, characterised in the sweeping staircase that unites the two decks, framed by two full-height video walls. A formal reception and lounge area leads to a comfortable sports clubroom that converts into a cinema on the main deck, whilst a more relaxed saloon and dining room feature on the upper deck. Two fireplaces and a grand piano allow for different moods and climates.

Concealed sliding doors and thoughtful arrangement of the rooms means that this entire area can play host to lavish parties, or be divided into smaller, intimate spaces. Rich, deep woods, leather and stone is used to unite the area.

On the bridge deck, an informal beach club lounge can be transformed into a disco, with a large sports bar opening out onto the expansive aft deck that doubles as a dance floor.

The Art Deco influence continues on the main deck to the main guest accommodation with three guest suites that are characterised by their own Art Deco and Japanese inspired themes, and two Art Nouveau styled VIP suites.

In the upper deck owner’s suite a relaxing ambience is introduced with a subtle romantic theme inspired by Coco Chanel that is expressed in the Lalique-style lighting adorning the mullions that frame the windows, the fireplace surround at the foot of the bed, and the stone pillars and inlays in the spacious bathrooms. The inclusion of an office and private foredeck lounging area allows the owner’s suite to be a self-contained, secluded retreat at the heart of the yacht.

A Persian influence is found on the lower deck, with a fully featured spa, beauty salon and gym that include many of the decorative elements found throughout the yacht. Hand-crafted mosaic artworks in the bathrooms, carved stone artworks, bespoke furniture, embossed leather and specially commissioned artworks are found throughout, giving Kismet a rich texture that delights the senses.

The foyers on each level feel voluminous thanks to a generous space between the central glass lift and the wide sweeping stairs to starboard. Fit-out specialist Sinnex produced the sculpted Macassar ebony stair stringers and bespoke furniture maker Silverlining did the wonderful leather marquetry. The contemporary look and organic form of each stair draws inspiration from propeller blades – bronze also being used for the handrails.


EXTERIOR

Espen Oeino recalls that the client’s brief was clear – the new yacht had to be better in all respects with particular emphasis on corporate entertainment and charter. 

Considerable time was spent working out how exterior spaces were likely to be used during a week’s cruise and there are many spaces in which to ‘hang out’ or entertain. For example, casual seating in the form of fixed furniture is provided aft of the ‘winter garden’ enclosure to take advantage of the spectacular view along the side decks or aft over the aft deck. A full screen cinema can be set up on the helideck above.

For Oeino, the ‘piece de resistance’ of the yacht is the top deck, its informal al fresco dining area next to the barbecue behind protective glass doors giving access to the forward part with swimming pool and Jacuzzi, forward-facing pilot seats and a rock garden (doubling as a secondary pool water overflow), flanked by showers featuring beautiful mosaics. “Here the world (and the yacht) can be contemplated from behind locked doors (literally) and this may be my favourite spot on the yacht!”

Kismet’s owner states: “My goal was a yacht that many years from now will be timeless and yet still ahead of its time. I wanted to balance awesome with welcoming. In essence I wanted to design Kismet with others – not me – in mind. Walt Disney once famously said, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’. When you experience Kismet, you know this to be true. And for that, Lürssen should be extremely proud.” 

Kismet costs $1.3 million a week to charter, excluding add-ons.


SPEC CHECK

Builder: Lürssen 
Designer (exterior): Espen Oeino International
Designer (interior): Reymond Langton Design
Length: 95.2 m 
Draught: 3.75 m 
Construction material: Steel/aluminium
Gross Tonnage: 2.928 tonnes
Speed: 16.9 knots
Range at 12 knots: 6,000 nautical miles
Fresh water capacity: 39.5 tonnes
Stabilizers: 2x Quantum zero speed
Berths: 2 owner, 12 guests in 6 cabins, 27 crew in 5 cabins