I’ve been tracking superyachts for years, and I thought I had seen it all. Every new build promises "innovation," "unparalleled luxury," and the usual marketing buzzwords. But then, every once in a while, a yacht drops that genuinely changes the game. It’s not about being the biggest or the fastest; it’s about being the smartest, the most thoughtful, and the most satisfying.
180-foot Italian yacht
That's the story of Loewe.
When I first saw the name—Loewe, which is German/Spanish for 'Lion,' but also an internationally recognized luxury fashion house—I was intrigued. Built by the boutique Italian yard Tankoa Yachts, the 55-meter (180-foot) Loewe is the newest entry in their T55 Sportiva series. And let me tell you, this isn't just a yacht; it's a floating manifesto on how to achieve true luxury in the modern charter world.
My first thought? Skepticism. Every broker hypes their new listings. But the more I dug into the specs—the internal volume, the layout, and especially one completely unique private feature on the main deck—the more I realized this yacht wasn’t just good; it was engineered to eliminate every pain point of a typical charter vacation.
Ready for a proper deep dive? This isn't your average yacht review. We're going inside the engine room of luxury, pulling back the velvet curtains, and showing you exactly why renting this lion of the sea for €400,000+ a week is worth every single penny.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 1: The Tankoa DNA—Boutique Italian Craftsmanship Reimagined
Before we even step aboard Loewe, we need to talk about the builder: Tankoa Yachts. They are not a massive, mass-producing shipyard. They are a boutique, high-craft facility nestled in Genoa, Italy. This is crucial because it defines the entire experience.
Tankoa’s philosophy isn't about volume; it’s about flexibility and customization. They established their reputation with the S501 series (like the iconic black-hulled Olokun and the party-ready Grey), and Loewe is the evolution, the T55 Sportiva.
The Architects of the Future
The design team behind Loewe—both exterior and interior—is the legendary Luca Dini Design & Architecture. Luca Dini is known for sleek lines, aggressive profiles, and, crucially, a highly functional aesthetic.
The Profile: Look at Loewe from the side. You see a low, sporty, almost aggressive profile thanks to the straight, vertical bow. This isn't just for looks; that plumb bow increases the waterline length, which translates into better efficiency and a smoother ride, especially in a head sea.
The Structure: Loewe is built entirely from aluminum. Why aluminum? Because it’s lightweight and incredibly strong. This contributes directly to its performance profile. It means the yacht can achieve a respectable top speed (around 16 knots) while retaining a phenomenal range.
This technical pedigree—the meticulous build quality from Genoa and the high-performance design by Luca Dini—is the foundation. It’s the invisible infrastructure that allows the incredible luxury features to actually work perfectly, silently, and reliably when you're 1,000 miles from shore.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 2: The Paradox of Power and Range—A True Explorer Disguised as a Racer
Let’s talk performance, because this is where the Sportiva in the T55 Sportiva series comes to life, yet surprisingly doesn't compromise on global capability.
Loewe is powered by twin Caterpillar engines (or similar high-spec diesels, depending on final configuration). While she can hit 16 knots flat out, that’s not the point. The point is the cruising efficiency.
Cruising Speed: 12 knots. This is the sweet spot—fast enough to cover serious distance in a day (say, Corsica to the French Riviera) but slow enough to be incredibly fuel-efficient.
The Range: This is the shocker. At economic cruising speeds, Loewe boasts a transatlantic range of approximately 3,800 nautical miles.
Think about that for a second. This yacht looks like a sleek, Med-based party boat, but she has the legs to cross the Atlantic and spend an entire winter season exploring the most remote parts of the Caribbean or even venturing into the Pacific. It's the ultimate 'do-anything' yacht. I love that duality—the sharp, fast exterior hiding the heart of a marathon runner.
And for the charter guest, this range is freedom. It means your captain isn't constantly stressed about bunker stops, which means your itinerary is more flexible, more ambitious, and ultimately, more satisfying.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 3: The Secret Beach and the Ultimate Wellness Zone
Now we arrive at the waterline, and this is where Loewe transitions from a beautiful yacht into an immersive destination. Forget those cramped stern platforms you see on smaller boats. The Beach Club on Loewe is a full-blown transformation zone, a dedicated social hub at sea level.
When anchored in a secluded cove off Sardinia, the stern door drops down, and the side terraces fold out. The area immediately triples in size, forming a massive, teak-laden, open-air lounge right on the water.
But here’s the game-changer, the feature that makes this yacht a true wellness sanctuary:
The Spa: Hidden within the beach club structure are a dedicated Sauna and a Hammam. After a day of watersports or diving, imagine stepping straight from the ocean into the warmth of your private spa, with the sound of the gentle waves outside. This is a level of relaxation usually reserved for high-end resorts, not a charter yacht of this size.
The Toys: The beach club is the launchpad for the extensive water toy collection. This isn't just a couple of dinghies; Loewe is fully equipped with:
Multiple Seabobs (the ultimate underwater jet-ski).
Jetskis (usually top-tier Sea-Doo models).
Cutting-edge hydrofoil boards like the Fliteboard Carbon.
A full collection of wakeboards, paddleboards, and towable toys.
But the most significant toy isn't for guests, it’s for convenience: the 11.5-meter Axopar 37 XC Chase Tender. This large, fast, comfortable day boat is essential. It means the guests can be whisked away to a secluded restaurant ashore or brought back to the yacht after a long day of shopping, while the superyacht remains anchored in the most peaceful, perfect spot. This is the definition of "effortless luxury"—the yacht works around you.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 4: The Ultimate Privilege—The Owner’s Suite on the Main Deck
If the beach club is the heart of the social experience, the Owner's Suite is the apex of personal privacy and luxury. And this is where Loewe reveals the feature that truly set my jaw dropping and why charter brokers are calling it the 'Best Office in the World.'
The Master Stateroom is positioned forward on the main deck, spanning the entire 9-meter beam of the yacht. This is critical. It means no compromise on space. It’s huge. But the view is only half the story.
The Private Jacuzzi Terrace
Forget the main deck hot tub where everyone else is. The Master Suite on Loewe features its own dedicated, private fold-down balcony and integrated jacuzzi.
Let that sink in.
You wake up, press a button, and a section of the hull lowers, revealing a completely private terrace only accessible from your suite. On this terrace, there is a small, personalized spa pool—your own private ocean-view jacuzzi. You can enjoy your morning coffee and a relaxing soak, completely shielded from the crew and other guests, watching the sunrise over the French Riviera.
This feature is almost unprecedented on a 55-meter vessel. It’s a level of privacy and personalization usually reserved for 70+ meter superyachts. It transforms the stateroom from a place to sleep into an entire private apartment at sea.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Luxury Beyond the Balcony
The rest of the suite is equally obsessive:
Full-Beam Design: The sheer size accommodates a king-sized bed, a private lounge area, and massive panoramic windows.
The Ensuite: The master bathroom is typically split into his and hers sections, featuring sophisticated materials and often a large shower with a Hammam (steam room) function, echoing the spa downstairs.
The Flow: The design by Luca Dini emphasizes clean lines, light materials, and a sophisticated, contemporary style that feels modern but still warm and welcoming. It's Italian sprezzatura (studied carelessness) applied to maritime architecture.
The fact that you, as the primary charter guest, get this level of exclusive access—a completely private deck area—is what elevates Loewe far above her contemporaries.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 5: Vertical Integration and the Six-Cabin Triumph
While the Master Suite is forward on the main deck, Loewe is designed to perfectly accommodate the full party of 12 guests across 6 distinct suites. This six-cabin configuration is highly sought after in the charter market, as it offers maximum flexibility for family groups or multiple couples.
The guest accommodation breakdown is typically:
Main Deck: The massive Master Suite (private terrace + jacuzzi).
Lower Deck: Four spacious double cabins and one flexible twin cabin, all en-suite.
To seamlessly connect all three main guest decks (Lower, Main, Upper) without having guests parade through formal lounges, Loewe features a dedicated Guest Elevator.
I know, an elevator might sound utilitarian, but on a boat, it’s a pure luxury item. It means accessibility for older guests, effortless movement of luggage, and most importantly, it keeps the service flow—the crew—completely separate from the guest flow. The crew uses the service stairs; the guests glide between decks effortlessly. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the charter experience design.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
The Interior Aesthetic
Luca Dini’s interior design is a masterclass in modern Italian elegance. Forget the overly traditional, dark wood interiors of the past. Loewe is all about:
Light and Texture: Expect extensive use of light woods (European Oak, perhaps), brushed metals, tactile leather finishes, and polished marbles. The effect is bright, airy, and maximizes the feeling of space.
Massive Windows: Tankoa yachts are known for their huge windows, especially in the main salon and owner’s suite. This floods the interior with natural light and maintains the connection to the sea, which is, after all, why you chartered the yacht in the first place.
Social Harmony: The main salon features large, comfortable seating arrangements designed for relaxed socializing, flowing directly into the formal dining area (if configured on the main deck) or moving up to the sky lounge. The focus is always on creating versatile spaces.
180-foot Italian yacht
Section 6: Life Above the Waterline—The Sun Deck Citadel
If the beach club is for playing and the master suite is for retreating, the Sun Deck on Loewe is where you celebrate. This is the ultimate citadel of outdoor living, offering 360-degree panoramic views and every amenity you could possibly need.
The sun deck on the T55 Sportiva is expansive, often covering nearly 80% of the yacht’s total length. It's configured for everything from sunrise yoga to midnight star-gazing.
Key features up here:
Foredeck Jacuzzi / Pool: While the master has its own private spa, the main Jacuzzi or pool is often placed centrally on the sun deck or even the foredeck, surrounded by massive sun pads. This is the prime spot for sun worshippers.
Alfresco Dining: The upper deck aft is designed for formal outdoor dining, shielded from the wind and sun by the overhang above. Imagine the crew setting up an incredible multi-course meal here, with the sun setting over the Amalfi Coast. It seats 12 guests comfortably.
The Sky Lounge: Situated on the upper deck, the Sky Lounge offers a comfortable, indoor viewing platform. Often equipped with a bar, a high-end entertainment system (65-inch screen is typical), and plush seating, it serves as the secondary social hub—perfect for an evening movie or cocktails before dinner.
The flow between these decks is seamless. The combination of the two pools/jacuzzis, the beach club spa, and the multiple dining options means that even with 12 guests and 10 crew, you never feel crowded. Everyone can find their own perfect niche, which, in my experience, is the defining marker of a truly successful charter yacht.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Section 7: The Crew and the Charter Equation
Let's address the elephant in the room: the charter cost. At a base rate starting from €400,000 per week (plus expenses like fuel, food, and dockage, which can add another 30-50%), Loewe is firmly in the ultra-luxury bracket.
But what are you actually paying for? You are paying for the ultimate in personalized, professional service, delivered by a dedicated crew of 10.
The Captain and the Itinerary: The captain is your guide, your weather expert, and your personal concierge. They will craft a bespoke itinerary based on your preferences, adjusting daily to weather conditions and local secrets. They ensure the yacht's 3,800 nm range is used perfectly to get you where you need to be.
The Chef: A Michelin-level chef is standard. They will provision the yacht entirely around your dietary needs and culinary whims, whether you want local Mediterranean seafood caught that morning or an intricate vegan tasting menu.
The Service: The stewards and stewardesses are invisible ninjas. They clean, serve, and anticipate your needs before you even voice them. Towel appearing just as you exit the sea? Check. Perfectly chilled drink arriving the moment you sit down? Standard.
The Deck Crew: They manage the toys, launch the 11.5m chase boat, and ensure the beach club is always pristine and ready for action. They are the essential team that turns a static boat into a dynamic water playground.
The ratio of 10 crew to 12 guests is fantastic—it ensures that every guest receives meticulous, focused attention. You are not just renting a machine; you are buying the expertise, the itinerary, and the flawless execution of a five-star hotel at sea.
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| 180-foot Italian yacht |
Final Verdict: Why Loewe is the Charter King of 2025
I came into this skeptical, wondering if Loewe was just another beautifully designed 55-meter yacht. I left convinced that this vessel, thanks to Tankoa’s boutique focus and Luca Dini’s revolutionary design, is an absolute masterclass in maximizing the charter experience.
This yacht doesn't just offer luxury; it offers intelligent luxury.
The satisfaction score is highest here because Loewe has solved the two biggest problems in yacht charter: privacy and accessibility.
Privacy Solved: The Master Suite's private terrace with the embedded jacuzzi is a home run. It gives the primary charter guest an exclusive, quiet retreat that no other guest—or crew member—can access. It’s the ultimate escape within the escape.
Accessibility Solved: The extensive toys (including the high-speed 11.5m chase boat) and the dedicated guest elevator ensure that the yachting experience is seamless and effortless, whether you're transiting between decks or exploring a remote island.
The combination of the high-performance aluminum build (Tankoa DNA), the transatlantic range (3,800 nm), the sprawling wellness center (Sauna and Hammam beach club), and the unparalleled privacy of the owner’s balcony makes Loewe the undisputed charter king of the 55-meter class for 2025 and beyond.
If your dream is to experience the Mediterranean with zero compromise on speed, space, or personal sanctuary, you now know the secret weapon. Go find the Lion. You won't regret it.