BENETTI ZAZOU: DESIGNED IN HARMONY

It’s quite normal in the superyacht business for shipyards to employ one studio to design the exterior and another to work on the interiors. This can lead to some slightly confused yachts. We’ve seen sporty coupés with classical wooden interiors and at the opposite end, traditional tri-deck yachts with leopard print furniture. And then you have Benetti’s Zazou, a 65-metre superyacht with perfectly entwined exterior and interior designs.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

Benetti turned to Giorgio M. Cassetta to pen Zazou’s lines, with the Rome-based studio creating a sporty, sleek look for the steel and aluminium hull. Cassetta is no stranger to the Benetti brand, having designed many of the Viareggio shipyards’ 60-metre-plus superyachts, but with its Carinthia Blue hull and white superstructure, Zazou really stands out.

MAIN SALON

There are no leopard print or pink zebra stripe surprises when you head inside Zazou. Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design have created a look that perfectly matches the Benetti’s exteriors, working in complete harmony. As you step foot from the subtle cockpit into the main salon, you’re greeted with a light wood and grey theme with white marble and blue detailing – just what you’d expect with a blue and white exterior.

The Dutch architecture and design firm worked closely with the Owner on the custom furnishings, utilising exotic marble and a selection of over 120 types of wood, plus refined leathers, fabrics and natural materials with a variety of texture. These combine to create a sophisticated but comfortable interior setting, with an overall warm and welcoming ambiance.

MAIN DECK

The Owner’s cabin is located forward on the main deck and mirrors the main salon’s open feel. Here, a similar light colourway with blue accents create a tranquil area for the Owner to enjoy. The suite consists of a lounge with a TV, a double wardrobe, a large bed with a second TV and, on the port side, a generous bathroom with shower plus a private balcony reached through a sliding door.

LOWER DECK

Benetti describes Zazou’s lower deck amidships cabins as ‘the night area’, most probably as she has so much going on above, that the only time you’ll see the three double cabins and one guest cabin is after the sun goes down. The quarters for the 14 crew members are forward in the bow and aft is the light and breezy beach club. Guests can choose from two exterior openings: one in the stern providing access to the swim platform and another on the port side that becomes a second space at the water’s edge. The beach club lounge area features a low table, sofa and armchair, and Zazou’s water toys can also be stored there.

UPPER DECK

Guests will feel at home on the Benetti’s upper deck as the aft lounge mirrors the lower decks’ warm grey colourway with its white marble and subtle woods. Forward is the modern wheelhouse with an integrated Furuno dashboard and next to that is the office and captain’s cabin.

Thirty-six metres in length equals over 200 square metres of deck space devoted to relaxing, entertaining and socialising.

SUN DECK

Last but not least is Zazou’s sun deck, all 36-metres of it. Thirty-six metres in length equals over 200 square metres of deck space devoted to relaxing, entertaining and socialising. Wellness is also a big part of life on board Zazou too and the sun deck features a counter-current swimming pool forward and further aft, a gym area kitted out with high-end professional equipment. Aft, the sun pad can be converted into a scenic open-air cinema in the evening and the night can end around the 14-seat table with bar area.

Zazou has it all, and show’s it off without being overly flamboyant. She’s respectable, luxurious and impeccably finished – a real modern gem from Benetti.