Recently, Benetti launched their brand new superyacht Checkmate with a festive ceremony at the Darsena Italia Basin, the historic home of the acclaimed shipyard. With an LOA slightly over 44 metres, this magnificent charter vessel offers an wide selection of luxury amenities, all wrapped up in a wonderfully stylish package and supported by impressive performance and specifications.
First off, there is her stunning exterior look, with a navy blue hull and white superstructure, that shows an intriguingly strong and sportive personality. Undeniably a contemporary superyacht, Checkmate shows off supple curves and well-balanced proportions that give her a certain boldness, a look that reflects strength and confidence while remaining perfectly friendly and enjoyably hospitable. Despite her initial modern appearance, there certainly is an element of classic elegance to be found in her lines and silhouette, giving her a gentle softness, making her an impressive superyacht that is easy on the eyes.
Upon entering her main saloon, Checkmate instantly shows off a warm and inviting ambiance, with a calm and classic design based on a colour palette of chocolate brown, cream, golden honey and off-white. All interiors are designed by Joan Brown, and show off a delicately luxurious, gentle and warm style that is undoubtedly one of Checkmate's most attractive features. There is a gentle richness in the designs, undeniably chic with the furnishing showing off a subtly classic curve.
Soft upholstery and the occasional pattern add dashes of personality here and there, forming an atmosphere that aims to soothe and relax in style. With large windows all around, ample natural light frames the design, enhancing the overall softness of the main saloon's interior.
The saloon offers a classic ambiance, with an aft bar area and two elegant, cozy central and fore lounge spaces. The high-gloss wooden bar is fitted with honey-coloured Italian marble top and padded leather fronts, an lovely addition to this pleasantly elegant space. Opposite the bar, a games table turns this area into a great space for entertaining and intimate get-togethers, all conveniently located right next to the main aft deck. The central and fore lounge areas offer two similar setups of large sofas and armchairs, arranged around lacquered wooden coffee tables. The latter are of a sleek modern design but have a distinct classic look. The two lounging areas offer a range of possibilities for any social occasions, with companies of varying sizes. With the off-white carpeting and ceilings, honey-coloured upholstery and cushions, and lush high-gloss cherry and Burr Madrona cabinetry and woodwork all around, this main saloon is a great example of subtle classic design with modern touches. Aft, there is a large deck space offering a big sofa and al fresco dining area, a perfect extension of the elegant main saloon for any occasions.
Moving fore through the central lobby, with it's dramatic curved staircase connecting the lower, main and upper decks, one discovers the lush master quarters. This large on-deck suite occupies the entire fore section of the main deck with a full beam stateroom, including stunning 180 degrees panoramic views, lavish his and hers en suites, large private lobby and spacious wardrobes, Checkmate's master offers true luxury in a contemporary chic style and, like the main saloon, the stateroom has a design scheme of plush off-white carpeting, high gloss dark wooden cabinetry and ample natural light flowing in through large windows.
The central kingsize bed allows maximum enjoyment of the dramatic vista views, which are arguably among the best features of these stunning quarters. On port and starboard side, two spacious and elegant en suites can be found, one with lavish shower area and one with a luxurious bath tub. Both have large windows and are perfect examples of light, chic and luxuriously spacious en suites.
To top off the master suite in style, there is a wonderfully open, perfectly private foredeck to discovered, offering a big port side Jacuzzi and a starboard cockpit for intimate, day-to-night lounging, entertaining and relaxing.
Checkmate offers lush guest accommodation for a company of up to 10-12 guests, in 5 stunning staterooms. Apart from the master suite, all guest suites are located on the lower deck. Here, one can discover two VIPs and two twins, the latter each with an extra Pullman berth. All guest suites are equally spacious, stylish and well appointed, with ample high-gloss woodwork, in lacquered cherry and Burr Madrona, adding a contemporary chic ambiance and a particularly luxurious touch. En suites are large and offers big shower areas an a wonderfully light atmosphere.
Upstairs, Checkmate has a spacious skylounge, offering intimate lounge arrangements including a bar fore, and a large circular formal dining aft, with a big, round dining table surrounded by large, floor to ceiling glass sliding doors. These doors slide open all the way to form a wonderfully airy and spacious al fresco dining environment with 270 degrees vistas, a true experience in it's own right. This feature allows the skylounge to function as a flexible space, either separately from or integrated with the large aft deck area.
The latter offers a private yet open, L-shaped lounge space, again framed by stunning views and located just a few steps away from one of Checkmate's most impressive features: a grand, spacious and wonderfully luxurious sun deck.
Here, a bar, lounge and Jacuzzi area aft, including loungers, a central informal al fresco dining covered by a large awning, and a fully equipped bar and intimate panoramic cockpit area fore, all blend together to form a perfect guest experience. Add to that an impressive range of tenders and toys, including two jet skis, seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, towing tubes, a wakeboard and 8 snorkeling sets, among others, and guests are assured to have a wide range of possibilities at their fingertips, varying from perfectly relaxing to excitingly active.
Checkmate is an impressive charter vessel, boasting a chic style combined with ample amenities, pleasant flexibility and superb luxury. She can count her overall spacious feel, wonderfully appointed guest accommodation and a great style to her wide range of great features. But above all, she is a welcoming and friendly superyacht, that is perfectly suitable for any type of charter. Ranging from an intimate and peaceful vacation to large, vivacious events, and everything in between, Checkmate knows how to handle it all and will deliver a picture perfect experience every single time.
Checkmate is available for charter with Northrop & Johnson.
Benetti Yachts
+39 0584 3821
[email protected]
www.benettiyachts.it
Northrop & Johnson
Shawn Z. Laird
+1 954 522 3344
[email protected]
www.njyachts.com