Christina O meets James Bond

“We envisioned it as a class of its own, sailing the seas and oceans,” reveal the architects from the Swedish firm TDoS Tillberg Design of Sweden, part of Viken Group, who, together with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio for the common areas, have designed the first elegant yacht for Four Seasons. Setting sail last March, the same month the celebrated hotel group marked 65 years since its first hotel opening, the Four Seasons I is a Maserati of the seas, boasting a sleek and futuristic design. In its concept and dimensions – 207 meters in length – it recalls the Christina O, one of the largest and most luxurious mega-yachts in the world, once owned by Aristotle Onassis.

Here, however, nostalgic touches and timeless elegance meet an understated, cinematic modernity, consistently punctuated by refined finishes, full-height windows, and panoramic spaces that open to the world outside. The sea is visible from all 95 suites, which are conceived not as cabins but as private residences. The epitome of luxury is the Funnel Suite, spanning nearly 900 square meters over four levels at the bow, complete with three bedrooms, a private pool, a wellness area, and a curved, floor-to-ceiling glass wall. “It’s the result of a masterful blend of architecture and naval engineering,” reveals Fredrik Johansson, co-founder of Viken Group. Design and technology also define the 20-meter aft pool, whose floor can be drained and raised to create a flat deck for events

But the magic continues inside, in the intimate lounges and 11 restaurants and bars: the Sedna restaurant, which hosts Michelin-starred chefs from Four Seasons properties on a rotating basis; the Horizon Bar with its dedicated pool; and the more intimate O lounge-bar, where guests gather for an evening drink. Then there is the cigar lounge, with walls lined with shell-shaped glass lamps that create a stunning “jewel box” effect. Everywhere you look, the materials and furnishings exude elegance. “We focused on details with a timeless beauty, like the anegre wood panels with an Astrakhan finish, solid parquet floors covered with rugs matched to the artwork, and bathrooms in sea-green Brazilian quartzite,” Johansson continues. All oriented toward the sea, the suite beds feature an inlaid headboard inspired by sunrays.