To charter a superyacht is to secure a private ‘villa’ on the water, an exclusive floating paradise for you and your guests with five-star service and a dedicated chef, and a suite of water toys and wellness amenities at your disposal. At least, that’s what we thought superyacht charter was until we stepped aboard ASANI...
Delivered in August 2024, the 50m ASANI is a luxury destination all of her own. She was built by Benetti in Italy – an award-winning shipyard and a brand name that’s known for its premium quality, sophisticated style, and unwavering luxury. But ASANI stands apart from other Benetti-built yachts in the charter fleet.
Whilst the yacht was still in build, the owner of ASANI set about curating an expert design team to elevate the 50m Oasis concept, which had been created by Benetti in collaboration with RWD, to new heights, and engaged LASS Studio to act as interior consultant and owner’s representative.
“At its core, my role sat at the intersection of design vision, operational performance and owner/charterer experience – acting as the bridge between what is imagined on paper and how it ultimately functions at sea – how life is truly lived onboard,” explains Danella Hopkins, Founder of LASS Studio, and Hopkins turned to Bergman Design House to deliver the yacht’s interior scheme.
“Being invited to design the interior of ASANI was both a privilege and a responsibility,” begins Marie Bergman, Co-Founder of Bergman Design House. “From the outset, the project carried a strong sense of clarity and confidence from the owner, not in prescribing solutions, but in articulating how the yacht should feel. The brief was refreshingly emotional rather than technical, with a clear desire for calm, clean lines, warmth and longevity, an interior that would feel instinctively welcoming, never showy, and still feel relevant years from now.”
Building on ASANI’s sophisticated architectural foundation already established by Benetti, the collaboration sparked a thoughtful design evolution – a refined ‘upstyle’ that introduced soul, movement and organic flow throughout the yacht.
“The commission was rooted in trust,” says Bergman. “The owner was deeply engaged, yet open to interpretation, allowing the design to evolve. This freedom enabled a focus on atmosphere, proportion and material harmony rather than decoration for decoration’s sake.”
This additional layer of consideration helped to conceive a yacht that is as individual and distinct in character as the very finest superyachts on the water. With every aspect finitely attuned to the yacht’s brand identity, the result is a surprise and a delight at every turn. They say the devil is in the detail, and that could not be better exemplified than here: “The interior and general ambience is calm, inviting, and really quite zen-like,’ says Hopkins. “Nothing was overlooked, from the way an impression in the leather of the menu card replicates the artwork in the master suite, to the subtle undulations in the carpet underfoot. Every moment, every touch, is an experience. We even created an exclusive wine label from Napa Valley Reserve.”
Highlights of the design include five guest cabins, accommodating 10 in total, with an enormous master suite that benefits from a private balcony and adjacent study. The sun deck boasts a Jacuzzi, and to aft on the main deck there’s a glass-fronted pool flanked by sun loungers – Benetti’s ‘Oasis Deck’ concept – and, thanks to the yacht’s clever design, further deck space and waterside terraces are created here by wings that extend over the water on either side.
When asked to choose a single favourite element, Bergman advises it is almost impossible, but she points the success of ASANI to how the spaces work together as a whole; the transition between interior and exterior areas.
“We had a shared desire to create something personal, and take the initial vision far beyond the brief,” says Hopkins. “That’s rare, and very special.”
For Hopkins, there’s one more standout feature that deserves special mention: “In the master suite is a ceramic installation by Unit 89’s Ula Saniawa. Titled ‘One by One Upon My Shore’, its delicate porcelain elements cascade across the bed’s headboard and create a beautiful sense of calm motion.” Hopkins explains how, as the design project progressed, the piece came to embody the essence of ASANI, influencing many of the yacht’s finishing touches, including her logo and branding.
As her name suggests, ASANI is the spirit of rebellion (a loose translation from Swahili) – she embodies a willingness to challenge expectations and embrace possibility. To do so with such cohesion, is a masterpiece of modern design. That alignment between decor, service and brand identity creates an experience that feels intentional rather than decorative – and that is what truly resonates with charter guests.
ASANI is available for charter in the Mediterranean through summer 2026 and in the Caribbean during the winter months. Rates from €300,000 per week. Contact Burgess Yachts with all enquiries.
