A mystery billionaire’s superyacht stirred controversy on TikTok after video of its ‘secret pool’ emerged.
Few people have enough money to choose between swimming in the ocean or bathing in their own private floating pool while sailing the world.
The mystery owner of Leona, a $60,000,000 (£43,000,000) 263ft-long behemoth built by the Turkish-based luxury yacht builder Bilgin, has deep enough pockets for exactly that luxury.
Marble tiles, carved marble panels and Greek statues surround the private indoor pool surrounded by fountains and hidden behind a vertically opening door.
Luxury real estate expert Enes Yilmazer showed off the swanky interior in a video, revealing that the design was masterminded by the superyacht’s billionaire owner, whose identity is not publicly known.
The owner’s representative turned to London-based H2 Yacht Design to create a ‘playfully rich and layered interior’ for the steel-hulled structure, Boat International reported.
James Bermudez, the company’s design director, explained: ‘The interior of Leona uses a bold, opulent palette incorporating a high level of intricate detailing.
‘[There is a] heavy use of decorative finishes and interesting textures: gloss lacquers, backlit onyx, figurative timbers, gold inlays and luxurious textiles are combined throughout.
‘We learned quickly that the client didn’t react positively to understated design.
‘He required us to be bold and turn up the volume.’
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Along with the pool, the yacht is kitted out with a fire pit, aquarium, hookah room, piano bar, and plush red velvet-clad cinema room.
It also has a ‘palatial owner’s suite’, captured in a more comprehensive video filmed by Bilgin.
The suite is complete with a round bathtub, private interior lounge, and a terrace with a spa pool.
Throughout the yacht there are glimpses of marble and gold, mirrors and pieces by fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, known for his fervent use of animal print.
Its lavish interior is a clear display of wealth, as if the bullet-shaped boat’s $60 million price tag left any doubt.
Crew members also have their own ‘well thought-out spaces’ on board the vessel, which launched in October 2022.
Superyachting site Boat International revealed: ‘Both the captain and first officer have cabins on the bridge deck.
‘In addition to a large crew mess, officers also have access to day rooms on the tank deck.’
For some people commenting under videos of the ‘floating castle’, it was ‘the most cool yacht’ they’ve ever seen.
Others compared the ‘stunning’ yacht to a private cruise ship or the land of Oz.
But some seemed baffled by the addition of a pool, saying: ‘What a waste. You’ve got the whole damn ocean. What’s the point?’
Another witty commenter said: ‘There’s clearly a pool because if it’s raining outside you can swim without getting wet.’
One acknowledged it may be to stay away from creatures lurking in the waters below, saying: ‘It’s safer to swim at night in a pool than in the sea where there are sharks and whatnot.’
Another said: ‘People saying why have a pool in a yacht. You know why? Because he can, that’s why.’
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