By Heart & Soul Staff
Design Inspired by Landscape, Sense of Place, Comfort and Sustainability
Kontiki Expeditions is delighted to share a “look” at one of the nine luxury staterooms on the new boutique yacht M/Y Kontiki Wayra. Each stateroom has been designed to create an inviting space of comfort and beauty, using materials that celebrate the senses in a cozy and intimate environment while allowing unobstructed panoramic coastal views. The new yacht will launch August 2021.
Kontiki’s expeditions are the inspiration for the stateroom’s interior design, mirroring the ambiance and look of the landscapes visited and conveying a sense of place while engendering feelings of personal well-being and balance. The yacht is a testimony to biophilic design, connecting people to the environment and furthering Kontiki Expeditions’ philosophy of relating the surroundings to the accommodations of the yacht.
Distinct from the often “heavy” design and materials found on luxury cruise ships, the stylish Kontiki M/S Wayra was designed by Soledad Calderón with organic, sustainable materials which evoke the richness of the land and the traditions of the Ecuadorian people. “I wanted to create a feeling that was luxurious but still light and organic,” Calderon notes. “You won’t find marble and carved wood here. Instead, you’ll see light blending harmoniously with natural materials that bring the outdoors in, in a natural and totally comfortable way.”
Guests will walk on hardwood teak floors and lie on sustainably sourced cotton sheets finished with organic corozo closures made from what is often called “organic ivory.” They will also step on sustainable PET rugs made of recycled plastic bottles and snuggle under blankets handwoven by female artisans from the Ecuadorian highlands. Adding to the sustainability and environmentalism embodied by the staterooms are works from local artists, seashell and glass details, wood and stone paneling, and greenery. Natural fibers can be found throughout with the indoor-outdoor harmony further enhanced by sunlight streaming through the panoramic windows.
Kontiki Expeditions believes in creating meaningful experiences for all on-board, and thoughtful and original amenities are designed with the same objective. Guests will enjoy local, freshly ground coffee from the areas visited each day and dine on beautiful handmade pottery. Each stateroom features a personal library with books in multiple languages, bamboo accessories, scented candles and organically sourced snacks from a variety of Ecuadorian regions. To ensure the most comfortable and relaxing journey, staterooms are equipped with automated curtains, an integrated sound system, an independent air conditioning and ventilation system with HEPA filters, television with on-demand service, a hair dryer, complimentary and unlimited WiFi, a safe, plush bathrobes and slippers, and a selection of pillows and blankets.
Ecuadorian-born interior designer María Soledad Calderón has an international resume with a business degree from Babson College in Massachusetts and a master’s degree in interior design from ESD in Barcelona, Spain. Her professional experience spans high-end fashion to hospitality, and she has been involved in projects in both the United States and Europe. For her commercial and residential projects, Calderón draws on sustainability, simplicity and biophilia to create her stylish and organic designs, notable for their use of local materials which recognize and honor the land and her Ecuadorian roots.
ABOUT KONTIKI EXPEDITIONS – NEO-LUXURY SMALL-YACHT EXPEDITIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS TRAVELERS
The first water-based member of the SLH portfolio, Kontiki Expeditions offers sustainable stays off the biodiverse, untouristed coast of Ecuador. Guests can choose between two sea expeditions which provide an immersion into the local cultures, traditions, natural surroundings and cuisine of each port. Based in Ecuador and launching August 2021, Kontiki Expeditions are pioneers in conscious luxury travel, offering immersive and sustainable small-yacht expeditions. The nine-stateroom Kontiki yachts, M/S Kontiki Wayra and M/S Kontiki Wayu (launching in 2022), introduce a maximum of 18 guests to the richesse of the land and sea.
Multi-stop itineraries feature hiking, snorkeling, meetings with locals, in-depth cultural explorations, wellness activities and gastronomy. Kontiki Expeditions travelers experience the country’s biodiversity, all in a protected environment where sustainability and uncrowded venues are paramount. Kontiki prides itself in giving back to the communities visited with resources and education.
Health and safety precautions are taken seriously on the small yachts with all protocols prior to boarding, on ship, and on land strictly maintained and updated as required. The Safe Travels accreditation by WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) has been achieved for all sailings.
For more information, visit www.kontikiexpeditions.com/en, call +5933984364149; email info@kontikiexpeditions.com or join in the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
