Story by Andrew Bedggood
When you hear the phrase ‘floating hotel suite’ you may visualise a luxuriously appointed cabin on board a massive cruise ship lazily drifting around the Pacific Ocean.
And that may well have been the case at one time. But no longer. Sure, the cruise ship industry is making a comeback after a COVID hiatus spanning a couple of years, but there are new meanings being given to ‘floating hotel suite’.
Enter the French-designed and manufactured Anthenea Suite. Advertised as ‘the smart floating space’ – and resembling something from outer space – the appearance of the Anthenea Suite resembles a legendary flying saucer, except this vessel is sea-going.
Yes, this hotel suite has been certified as seaworthy, so it is possible to sail around and drop anchor wherever you find a suitable location. In keeping with Anthenea’s eco-responsible design principles you will not be disturbing the marine environment while underway. This vessel will travel silently using its electric motors, so there will be no noise pollution or nasty fuel leakage or odours.
The Anthenea Suite runs on electricity with batteries being recharged by five automatically rotating, sun-tracking solar panels that are mounted on the dome.
Currently, Anthenea offer 24-hour getaways on Brittany’s Pink Granite Coast for couples or small groups who want the chance to reconnect with nature. With an area of around 50m2 , the Anthenea Suite can comfortably cope with up to 12 persons, so you can entertain visitors.
What better way to attune yourselves with the environment than to spoil your senses with the sights, smells and sounds of a beautiful coastline?
Soak up the sun on the comfortable lounges of the upper deck relaxation area and enjoy uninterrupted views while the Anthenea eco-pod gently rocks in the water. Below, in the living quarters – which feature an extra-large circular bed in the master cabin and a panoramic kitchen – gaze through a full 360 degree vista from the surrounding observation windows, or enjoy uninterrupted views through the windows of the lower deck’s deep-sea observatory. The levels are connected by a rather unique circular staircase.
In keeping with their design concept, the Anthenea Suite is constructed using eco-friendly furnishings and is made entirely from corrosion resistant materials.
Anthenea offer various standard models: Anthenea Suite, Anthenea Wellness, and Anthenea Business. The company is also accepting orders to construct the eco-pods modified specifically to suit the intended purposes of both professional and private clients.
Published in print October-December 2022
