Spotlight On Khalilah

In most circumstances, this would have been enough of a unique selling point. However, designed ‘to shake up the yachting world’, superyacht KHALILAH features many more innovations, from a top-class performance to a no-compromise approach to onboard space and comfort.

Berkeley March, who was a new name in yacht design at the time, is behind the sleek and sporty profile. It combines a long foredeck with superstructure so swept-back it merges seamlessly with the hull. There is then the dramatic wave-penetrating bow which, together with her lightweight composite construction, enables the yacht to reach an impressive top speed of 30 knots.

Also impossible to ignore is the ‘Cordova Gold’ paint job, offset spectacularly by the jet black radar arch, not to mention the scores of other crisp white superyachts KHALILAH shares her cruising grounds with.

KHALILAH has much more to offer than a predatory profile and stellar performance and this is proved throughout the interior. Designed by the in-house team at Palmer Johnson, the guest living areas embody a playfulness rarely seen on superyachts alongside luxurious, Asian-inspired elements.

Guests will get their first taste of what’s in store when entering a foyer area in the main salon via the aft deck. Underneath a psychedelic swirl of LED lights inset in the ceiling sits a gold statue of a meditating Buddha.

Imparting an enduring aura of tranquillity, the Buddha is joined to port by a bar made from Karelian birch, a rare Finnish wood known for its distinctive markings and almost luminous glow, while wide beams of stained-oak flooring run forward underfoot. Enjoy a drink at the bar or head forward into the main salon.

Despite a giant purple octopus adorning the main salon’s ceiling, the floor-to-ceiling windows framing the space undoubtedly demand the most attention.

Specially made by New Zealand glass specialist Glasshape, each panel measures nearly seven metres in length and, with no mullions, guests are treated to uninterrupted views.     

Panoramas can be enjoyed while relaxing in the seating area made up of a low-lying sofa and mismatched armchairs. When not looking out at sea, a widescreen TV can provide entertainment, with a glass-topped coffee table supported by a tangle of branches adding a quirky touch.

The Karelian birch of the bar reappears in the wall panels alongside dark wooden inlays and, against this gentle backdrop, the vibrant, multi-coloured hues of the scatter cushions stand out. Then, as night falls, LED lights fitted into the cantilevered ceiling cast a soothing glow.   

A dining area in a yacht’s main salon is usually a given, but KHALILAH is not one to adhere to conventions. By leaving out a place to dine, space is available forward of the salon for a galley, a layout which departs from the standard arrangement of Palmer Johnson’s SuperSport range.

What’s more, the galley itself is distinctive. Contemporary in design, it features lacquered orange cabinets with smooth marble counters, a refreshing change from the stainless steel-clad kitchens typically found on board other superyachts in the global charter fleet.

A door to port can also open up the galley to the main salon, enabling charterers to come and go as they please. A breakfast bar provides a perch to watch the chef at work or to grab a snack, and this adds to the laidback atmosphere running throughout the entire motor yacht. 

Another deviation from the norm is apparent on the main deck forward. The area here is often reserved for just one master suite but, on KHALILAH, there are two.

Birch wall panels and oak floors are used again to create a calm and balanced base against which Asian-style details are added and long vertical portholes keep up the connection with the outdoors.

The suite to port features an orange and gold colour palette with an etched mural of a tiger above the bed. Forward, there is a spacious dressing room area with ample storage and this leads into an en-suite with his and hers sinks, a head and a large shower.

Slightly smaller in size, the starboard-side suite is more feminine in feel thanks to splashes of millennial pink on the walls and furniture and humming bird motifs painted onto the cupboard doors. A hot pink cabinet under the sink then enlivens a lightly-grained white marble en-suite.

By two master suites taking up this prime position, the superyacht is well-suited to hosting groups of friends as, when it comes to securing the most coveted cabin, neither couple will have to compromise.

The accommodation continues to excel on the lower deck. Each stateroom embodies its own individual décor while maintaining the modern, ultra-luxe vibes of the deck above.      

Stretching across the aft-most section, the full-beam VIP suite seduces guests with its sculpted carpet, which feels incredibly plush underfoot. The only source of colour comes from an ochre-hued chaise lounge, standing out perfectly against the other neutral furnishings and rich wooden accents.

It’s by far the most sensuous cabin on board, and bordering the en-suite is a monochrome mosaic replicating the undulating form of waves.

The double cabin, meanwhile, is memorable for its purple and pink colour scheme. A resin artwork depicting a cherry blossom tree in bloom hangs above the bed while a silver and lilac mosaic in the shower also calls to mind Japan in the spring.

There is no doubt children will love the twin cabin, with its lime green wall panels, cornflower blue cupboard doors and multi-coloured pom pom rug. But the biggest draw awaits in the en-suite; the entire room is covered in a colourful mosaic depicting an underwater scene with cartoon sea creatures.

Adding to KHALILAH’s line-up of guest living areas is an inviting skylounge on the upper deck aft. Flanking the salon are two built-in lime green chaise lounges, sitting beneath a wide expanse of glazing while even more natural light enters through a series of square skylights in the ceiling.

At the salon’s centre is another deep sofa arranged next to two long ottomans. The cream upholstery matches the hue of the wall panels, but bright pink curtains and scatter cushions and footstools in purple, ochre, lime and turquoise inject a huge dose of fun and vibrancy into the surrounds.

During the day, guests can come here to flop on the sofas and take some time out while watching the TV. Yet with its contemporary loft feel, the salon is also a brilliant place for socialising after dark.

Yet appearances can be deceptive. Beneath her predatory profile and cutting-edge design is a softer side, one that recognises the importance of prioritising the space and comfort available for guests.

The aft deck on board KHALILAH never fails to astonish with its colossal measurements. The beam reaches its widest point here (11 metres) and the entire area measures 105 square metres, the sort of space found on a much larger, 70-metre superyacht.

Shaded by the deck above, the dining area features a bar and a bespoke wooden Cactus table. The entire charter party can be accommodated for an al fresco dinner, with the wind conveniently kept out by the huge glass panels that frame the space to port and starboard without obstructing the views. 

Further aft and open to the sun is a gigantic seating area upholstered in a gold hue which matches the yacht’s exterior paint job. Backing onto this is an oversized sun pad.

Everything needed for daytime relaxation is provided here, but the deck area serves equally well as a place to entertain and party once the sun has gone down.

Side decks spanning off this area lead via staircases to the foredeck, where a sunning station awaits, while a staircase tucked into the starboard side of the salon aft ascends to the upper deck.

When the full-width glass doors into the skylounge slide shut, the dark tinting matches the jet black radar arch above, as well as the sun loungers lining the aft section and dining chairs flanking the table.

This is the second al fresco dining setup on board and is joined by buffet stations to port and starboard, ensuring the entire space is similarly well-equipped to provide for large-scale entertainment. 

In the forward part of the skylounge, two exits to port and starboard lead to an intimate deck area with a sunken spa pool, one of the most popular places on board for daytime relaxation.  

Although the pilothouse is accessed from the main deck, a second, smaller helm station adjoins the spa pool and KHALILAH’s low profile allows navigation in the open. What’s more, wing stations can also unfold to port and starboard for better views during mooring manoeuvres. 

KHALILAH is not a yacht for the faint-hearted. Her aggressive profile ablaze in gold and her formidable performance ensures she stands out wherever she cruises, even in the world’s most popular yachting hubs.

Back on the main deck, the port-side section of the aft sun pad lifts up to reveal a staircase leading to the teak-clad beach club below. Once the tinted glass doors are slid open, the area rolls seamlessly into the swim platform, creating a large space where guests can revel in waterside relaxation.  

The armada of water toys can also be accessed from here. Stored in twin garages forward of the beach club when KHALILAH is underway, the collection can easily be unloaded by the crew when the yacht is at anchor through doors built into the sponsons.

Highlights include jet skis, a jet pack, a hover board, wakeboards, kayaks, paddleboards and inflatables. There is even a seven-metre custom tender replicating the muscular lines and dazzling gold hue of KHALILAH and ensuring charterers go everywhere on their yacht vacation in the utmost style.  

KHALILAH is not a yacht for the faint-hearted. Her aggressive profile ablaze in gold and her formidable performance ensures she stands out wherever she cruises, even in the world’s most popular yachting hubs.

Yet appearances can be deceptive. Beneath her predatory profile and cutting-edge design is a softer side, one that recognises the importance of prioritising the space and comfort available for guests.

From her oversized deck areas primed for relaxation and entertainment to an interior which is simultaneously fun-loving, luxurious and laid-back, this superyacht truly shines.  

For further information on M/Y KHALILAH, speak to your preferred charter broker.